External Opportunities
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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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Research Study: Caring Across Generations
About the Opportunity
A research team from the University of Toronto is studying the experiences of caregivers living in Canada who provide support to multiple people. They are looking for candidates who care for people with different care needs (e.g., a child and an adult with a disability or a child and a senior) rather than multiple caregivers who care for people with the same care needs (e.g., a parent caring for multiple children). This research will help inform solutions for the provision of care in Canada.
In order to protect your confidentiality, the interview transcription will be assigned a pseudonym (fake name) and will be stored in password-protected folders and computer.
What will be expected of me?
- You'll first fill out a pre-screening survey which should take less than 5 minutes
- After filling out the survey, you may be contacted to schedule a phone or video (Zoom) interview (expected to be between 45 and 90 minutes in length)
- During this interview, you will be asked to share about your experience as a caregiver, what a typical weekday looks like for you, the impacts of your care responsibilities, and what government support might make these easier
- Participation is completely voluntary, and you can decide to not to answer certain questions or withdraw from the study at any time.
As a thank you, interview participants will receive a $25 President's Choice gift card.
How do I participate?
If you are interested in participating in an interview about your caregiving experience, start by filling out the pre-screening survey for the study.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Research Study: Setting the Balance of Care for Older Adults
About the Opportunity
Researchers with Trillium Health Partners are studying delayed hospital discharge (known as Alternate Level of Care, ALC, in Canada), which is when someone in the hospital does not need further medical treatment but also is not well enough to go home. To better understand those affected, they are developing personas (short stories) of people who are at risk of going into hospital.
In this study, they will hold focus groups (small group meetings) and interviews with the following people to understand their experiences:
- Older adult patients with experience using health care. We would love to hear from those who have experienced care in an Ontario hospital, and/or got care services in the community after leaving the hospital
- Family, friends, or caregivers who are supporting (or have supported) these patients
- They are particularly looking for older adults and caregivers in and around Mississauga, Etobicoke, North York, and Barrie areas (or similar regions)
What will be expected of me?
- Sessions will have between 2 and 6 participants and are approximately 2 hours (but the timeframe can be adjusted to accommodate your schedule) and will be scheduled based on your availability
- Focus groups will be held on Zoom
- You'll be invited to discuss the story of an individual at risk of hospitalization and delayed discharge (from the hospital) and brainstorm what that person might have needed to prevent those experiences
How do I participate?
If interested, please contact Danielle Jacobson: danielle.jacobson@thp.ca
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Education Sessions: Preventing Diabetes-related foot complications
About the Opportunity
A free training program for caregivers supporting someone living with diabetes focused on early detection and proper care of foot complications. There are multiple sessions happening through the month of October and into November.
There are both in-person and virtual sessions being offered. Each session will last 1-hour
How do I participate?
Sign up for the date that interests you using the links below:
- October 17 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Zoom)
- October 18 | 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. (In-person) | 5 Greensboro Dr, Etobicoke
- October 27 | 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Zoom)
- November 12 | 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Zoom)
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Sandwich Caregivers Photovoice Workshops
About the Opportunity
The Photovoices project is looking to understand what caregiving looks and feels like for women who are sandwich caregivers - caring for their children and aging loved ones.
Through these workshops, you'll share your lived experiences through photo taking, connect with other caregivers, and brainstorm how to better support caregivers. You will be compensated for your time.
The study is looking for women who live and/or care for someone in the Peel Region and surrounding area.
What will be expected of me?
You'll be invited to participate in four sessions beginning mid-October. These 2 hr sessions will be held on Zoom in the evenings and occur every two weeks. There is the possibility that the last session may be held in person.
The workshops will invite you to use Photovoice—a creative/hands-on method that lets caregivers use photos/stories to share their experiences.
How do I participate?
If interested in participating, email Kristina (Kristina.Fuentes-Aiello@thp.ca) or Dani (Danielle.Jacobson@thp.ca)
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Home Care and Support Services Public Review
About the Opportunity
The need and demand for home care and support services were exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic and is rapidly growing as a critical component of an effective health care system. People of all ages want to stay at home for as long as possible, shifting the societal expectations of home care and support services. In a post-COVID world, the home care services landscape is changing with the diversity and needs of clients, new care models, emerging technologies and shifting organizational roles and accountabilities.
Health Standards Organization is developing a new National Standard of Canada for Home Care and Support Services, and is looking for feedback from anyone with an interest in home care and support services, including caregivers. This opportunity is open until October 27, 2025.
What will be expected of me?
All that will be expected of you will be to:
2. Complete the survey before October 27, 2025
This can be done on your own time up to October 27.
How can I participate?
Visit this website for more information or click the links above to get started.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Study to Support Young Carers in Canada
About the Opportunity
Young carers often go unrecognized and unsupported, impacting their physical and mental health, social lives, education, and work.
This four-year national study led by Dr. Roberta Woodgate aims to co-design policies and research priorities to improve their well-being, with young carers playing a central leadership role.
The Partnering for Young People Caring for Family and Friends research study is looking for participants:
- Age 12-30 years of age
- Who are providing care for a family member or friend
- And currently reside in Canada
What will be expected of me?
Participants will engage in interviews and arts-based projects, collaborating with stakeholders to drive policy change. This will involve:
- Virtual interviews, including on evenings and weekends
- Creating artwork of your choice: video, photo, music, painting, etc. (optional)
Please note that participation is voluntary, and your identity will be kept confidential. You will receive a gift card in appreciation of your participation!
How can I participate?
Contact ingauge@umanitoba.ca or visit https://www.ingauge.ca/young-people/#joining
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Caring for the Family Caregiver
About the opportunity
An 8-week wellness program for family caregivers of a person with dementia or related neurodegenerative disease. This opportunity is for those who are:
- 50 years of age or older
- Experiencing stress in their life
- Open to learning new coping strategies over 8-weeks
How do I participate?
For more information, please call the Stress and Healthy Aging Research Lab and ask about the "Caregiver Study" at the number 416-979-5000 ext 553233 or email star.lab@torontomu.ca with "Caregiver Study" in the subject line.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Participant Recruitment for CBT Study at Baycrest Hospital
About the Opportunity
Key topic area: Caregiver mental health, dementia prevention and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), brain mapping, inflammation
Depressive symptoms are increasingly common with aging, and are frequently found in dementia.
Caregivers of older adults with dementia are at increased risk of depression that may in turn lead to an increased risk of dementia for caregivers themselves and poorer outcomes for patients receiving care.
The gold-standard treatment for depression is cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), shown to reduce mood symptoms and improve cognitive functioning while preventing depression relapse.
This study involves CBT followed up with blood tests and neuroimaging in dementia caregivers to clarify the neurological changes are associated with CBT, and which individuals would respond best to CBT.
What will be expected of me?
You can expect to receive a series of CBT therapy sessions offered for free. You'll then be expected to make your best effort to complete the imaging and biomarker collections, to support generating helpful findings for dementia prevention.
- Dates and times of the sessions will be discussed in consultation with the participant
- CBT sessions will be virtual, imaging and biomarker collection will be at Baycrest (Bathurst and Wilson, Toronto)
How do I participate?
If interested in participating, please contact cbtTrial@research.baycrest.org
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Enhancing Virtual Palliative Care for Family Caregivers in Rural Ontario Navigating Dementia and Chronic Conditions
About the Opportunity
Compassionate palliative care is essential for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. However, many families living in rural settings cannot access palliative care unless it is through virtual methods.
This study aims to address these challenges by involving caregivers and healthcare professionals to co-design virtual palliative care support.
What will be expected of me?
Participation will take place virtually over one-on-one interviews through platforms like Zoom or phone.
You will be asked about your experiences with palliative care and virtual care delivery.
Later, in-person co-design sessions will be hosted to work collaboratively on developing a compassionate virtual palliative care program.
Your support will directly inform the development of more accessible palliative care for caregivers and people living with dementia.
How do I participate?You're eligible to participate if you are:
- A Family caregiver who lives in rural Ontario, and care for individuals living with dementia who have received palliative care
- A Healthcare provider who medically practices in rural Ontario, focused on supporting caregivers of persons living with dementia through a palliative approach to care
If this opportunity is a fit, you can get in touch directly with the researchers using their contact information below:
- Jenette Wu (Research Assistant) at jenettewu@gmail.com
- Dr. Kristina Kokorelias (Principal Investigator) at kristina.kokorelias@sinaihealth.ca or 416-586-4800 ext. 4374.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Research Opportunity for South Asian Caregivers
About the Opportunity
This research opportunity is for South Asian caregivers living in the GTA who cared for an older family member with memory loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Their goal is to gather stories that can help inform future interventions to better support care partners, like you, during future public health crises.
What will be expected of me?
You'll be invited to participate in a 60-90 minute telephone or Zoom interview to share your caregiving story. The timing is flexible to work with your schedule. There will be a token of appreciation shared for your participation.
How do I participate?
To express your interest in participating, please contact sac@mcmaster.ca or Pamela Baxter, baxterp@mcmaster.ca
