Contribute to Caregiver-Focused Research
The Ontario Caregiver Organization is frequently asked to connect researchers and other stakeholder organizations with caregivers. Where appropriate, we will share these invitations and connect interested members with relevant parties.
In the past, we have supported focus groups with the Ontario Ombudsman office, research initiatives with various academic institutions and research to practice initiatives with various health care providers. We will continue to share these opportunities and thank caregivers who have engaged and contributed in this way.
There are external opportunity for caregivers in French only. For these opportunities, please visit Perspectives Aidance Naturelle in French: https://www.perspectivesaidancenaturelle.ca/occasions-externes
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Help Inform Dementia Research
About the Opportunity
Researchers with the University of Regina Aging, Residents, and Caregivers Research Unit are looking for caregivers who support someone living with dementia for their research. They are looking to help build a better understanding of the experience of lived time and well-being among people living with dementia.
What will be expected of me?
- Complete an online survey to determine your eligibility
- Reviewing the consent form
- Select a convenient time for an interview
- Provide information about how the person you care for experiences time, including the past, present and future. You can also share how this time related experience affects your daily life and wellbeing as a care provider
How do I participate?
You can participate by visiting this website to fill out the eligibility survey. If you have any questions please contact arcresearch@uregina.ca.
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Research Study: Exploring the Use of ChatGPT in Caregiving
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Share Your Insights into Medication Management
About the Opportunity
There is a new research commentary being developed that explores how pharmacists should teach patients about their medications. The commentary is being authored by a pharmacist and Vice President of the Ontario Pharmacists Association. As part of the development, they are looking for a caregiver advisor with experience managing the medication of their care recipient to review the article's practice table and key patient-facing content before submission. No health information is collected. This is a consultation on educational materials, not research.
Participants will receive a $75 gift card as thanks for their time.
What will be expected of me?
- Take part in a 45-minute phone or video session reviewing the practice table and patient-facing content, scheduled before or during the week of August 10
- No preparation is required beforehand
- Participants can choose to be named in the acknowledgements with their consent, or remain anonymous
- You will receive a summary of the changes resulting from your input
Who can participate?
- Caregivers who manage or help manage medications for the person they care for
No other requirements. Caregivers in rural or remote communities, those whose first language isn't English, or those caring for someone with a condition other than arthritis are especially welcome, but none of these are required.
How do I participate?
If you are interested, email Jennifer Belcher: jbelcher@opatoday.com by Friday, August 7. Jennifer will personally reply to everyone who writes in, whether or not the timing works out.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Male Spousal Caregiver Research
About the Opportunity
Researchers at UBC are recruiting male caregivers from across Canada for a study exploring the experiences of men who provide care to a spouse or partner. The study includes a photovoice component, where participants use photography to tell their caregiving story and reflect on their experiences.
This project seeks to better understand the gendered dimensions of older men’s masculine identities, roles and relations in the context of their spousal caregiving experiences. The findings will inform the development of a gender responsive facilitated peer support group program for older men who provide spousal care. You can learn more here.
What will be expected of me?
- Completing a brief demographic survey (10 minutes)
- Taking and submitting 5-10 photographs that illustrate caregiving experiences
- Narrating the photographs in a Zoom or in-person interview (1 hour)
- You will be eligible to receive an Amazon e-gift card for participating in the photovoice interview.
Who can participate?
Researchers are looking for participants who meet the following criteria:
- Speak and understand English
- Live in Canada
- Self-identify as a man
- Are aged 65 years or older
- Are currently caring for a spouse/partner in community, or an Assisted Living or Long-Term Care home
How do I participate?
If you are interested in participating, please contact project manager Dr. Nina Gao at nina.gao@ubc.ca.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Supporting Seniors During Extreme Heat
About the Opportunity
If you're a caregiver living in York Region, The Keeping It Cool project, funded by Health Canada, wants to hear from you. They're researching the impact of extreme heat on seniors' health and wellbeing, and hosting in-person focus groups to understand how seniors are coping with extreme heat, what caregivers are doing to support them, and the challenges they face.
Participants will receive a gift card for their time and effort.
What to expect?
If you choose to participate, you will be asked to:
- Attend an in-person focus group discussion with other seniors or caregivers in York Region
- Take part in a session lasting up to two hours
- The focus group is taking place on July 22 from 6 PM to 8 PM at Club 55 Keswick, 130 Gwendolyn Blvd, Keswick.
Who can participate?
They are looking for participants who meet the following criteria:
- Are a senior (age 55+) living in York Region, not currently residing in an assisted living facility such as long-term care
- Are a caregiver (age 18+) of a senior living in York Region
- Are comfortable communicating in English
How do I participate?
If you are interested in joining a focus group, please fill out the Keeping It Cool Focus Group Sign Up form or call 647-461-4646 to speak with Diane Balkaran, the focus group coordinator, Piat Public Health.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Supporting Migrant 2SLGBTQIA+ Unpaid Caregivers for Family Members Living with Chronic Illnesses
About the Opportunity
Are you a 2SLGBTQIA+ migrants who provides unpaid care to a family member or chosen family member living with chronic illness? Researchers at York University want to hear from you. They are currently conducting a research study exploring the lived experiences, challenges, and support needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ migrants who provide unpaid caregiving to someone with a chronic illness.
Participants will receive a $25 e-transfer as a thank you for their time and contribution.
What to expect?
If you choose to participate, you will be asked to:
- Attend a brief 10–15-minute online pre-screening meeting to confirm eligibility
- Take part in a one-on-one online interview (via Zoom) of approximately 60 minutes
Who can participate?
They are looking for participants who meet the following criteria?
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Identify as 2SLGBTQIA+
- Identify as a migrant
- Currently provide unpaid care to a family member or chosen family member living with a chronic illness
- Are comfortable participating in an interview in English
How do I participate?
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact the research team by email: LGBTQIAmigrant@yorku.ca. The recruitment deadline is January 31, 2027.
Study details:
Study led by Dr. Haghiri-Vijeh (rvijeh@yorku.ca). Approved by the Human Participants Review Sub-Committee, York University's Ethics Review Board. REB Protocol Number: 251 -
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Research Study: Insights from Informal Caregivers of Lung Transplant Recipients
About the Opportunity
Researchers at the University of Windsor are looking for informal caregivers supporting someone after a lung transplant—a family member, friend, or loved one- to complete a survey. A study titled Through the Lens of Those Who Care: Insights from Informal Caregivers of Lung Transplant Recipients explores caregivers’ experiences—challenges they face, the supports available, and the factors that help or hinder ability to cope.
They are looking for participants based in Ontario who have cared for someone following a lung transplant.
What will be expected of me?
You will be asked to complete an online questionnaire.
The survey includes questions about transplant-related caregiving experiences. It is expected to take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Participants will be entered into a draw for a gift card ($25 Everything Gift Card)
How do I participate?
Please email JSResearch@uwindsor.ca or complete the pre-screening survey to see if you are eligible to participate.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Experiences of Immigrant or Racialized Caregivers Supporting a Person Living with Dementia in Canada
About the Opportunity
Make your voice heard and help improve services for caregivers from diverse cultural backgrounds. The objective of this study is to better understand the challenges, strengths, coping strategies, and support needs of caregivers to inform improvements to services and policies in a more inclusive manner. The researchers are looking for participants who are:
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Currently support or have recently supported a loved one who has memory problems, neurocognitive issues, or Alzheimer's disease, for example
- Identify as an immigrant and/or a racialized person
- Reside in Canada
What will be expected of me?
- Taking part in an individual online interview (via Zoom)
- Lasting 90 to 120 minutes
- In French, English, or in your mother tongue, when possible, with an interpreter
- Conducted by a trained member of the research team
- Audio/video recorded (with your authorization)
- Preceded by a sociodemographic questionnaire (5 min)
- You are free to decline to answer any question and to end the interview at any time.
As a token of appreciation, a compensation of $50 (gift card) will be offered for your time.
How do I participate?
Email Berline Awoume (labocmav@ustpaul.ca) Project Coordinator at Saint Paul University, to express your interest.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Share Your Experience with Dementia Care
About the Opportunity
Do you or a loved one have experience accessing health or social services after a dementia diagnosis? The Algoma Ontario Health Team (OHT) is inviting residents to share their dementia journeys. They are seeking individuals living with dementia, as well as caregivers, to share their experiences and insights to help inform local services and initiatives.
How do I participate?
You can express your interest by calling (705) 989-4732 or emailing info@algomaoht.ca. You can learn more by visiting the Algoma OHT website.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Research Study for Black Caregivers
About the Opportunity
York University is conducting a study to understand how technology can support care and social connection for Black older adults and their families in Canada. They are looking for caregivers of Black older adults aged 60+ who are homebound and living with mild cognitive impairment to participate in their research.
What will be expected of me?
- Online or in-person one-on-one interviews
- Compensation will be provided to participants
How can I participate?
If interested, please email Dr. Michael Kalu at mkalu@yorku.ca or Dr. Chigozie Ezulike at cezulike@yorku.ca or get in touch by telephone at 437-224-9891.
