Meet-Ups for Eldercare Caregivers and Advocates
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 at 8:00 am to 9:00 am
Meet-Ups for Eldercare Caregivers and Advocates is a virtual peer support program offered through Healthy Workplace. This is a 6-week, virtual peer support program that provides working caregivers with a forum through which to share their experiences, gain information and understanding about the caregiver journey, and to give and receive knowledge and support with other caregivers. The sessions will be facilitated by Jennifer Moir, Eldercare Consultation with AgeWell Solutions.
What does this group offer participants?
- A relaxed and welcoming forum for discussion
- Guided information exchange to enhance skill set and understanding
- A chance to give and receive knowledge and support from other caregivers
- Confidence and reassurance that you are not alone
Who is this group for?
For adult children, family members or anyone with an aging or vulnerable loved one and who is preparing to become a caregiver, or is an active caregiver already and interested in improving their caregiving experience by learning and sharing helpful tips, tools and coping strategies.
How to participate?
Register at the bottom of this page to save your spot and receive your calendar update to attend upcoming sessions. To offer maximum support, the peer support session will close registration after the 2nd session. This is to allow caregivers to develop relationships and to build on weekly lessons. If you are interested in participating, please register early!
When is the program taking place?
Beginning Tuesday, April 5 and ending Tuesday, June 14, the program consists of 6 group, on-line meet-up sessions, held over 12 weeks. Sessions take place once every two weeks, are one hour in length, with each session designed to build upon earlier ones.
Dates and Times:
- Tuesday, April 5 (Noon – 1pm)
- Tuesday, April 19 (Noon – 1pm)
- Tuesday, May 3 (Noon – 1pm)
- Tuesday, May 17 (Noon – 1pm)
- Tuesday, May 31 (Noon – 1pm)
- Tuesday, June 14 (Noon – 1pm)
Program Details
60-minute virtual meeting format:
- 10 minute: welcome and round table introductions
- 15 minutes to explore the weekly topic and theme: learning, skill building
- 25 minutes for participants to share experiences, give and receive knowledge and support
- 5-10 minute wrap up including a review of additional resources, and introduction of the following week’s topic
Weekly Topics
- Week 1 – Caregiver spotlight and journey (April 5)
- Week 2 – How stress impacts caregivers, response mechanisms and coping pathways (April 19)
- Week 3 – Overcoming challenging emotions and caregiver behaviours (May 3)
- Week 4 – Mindfulness and building caregiver resilience (May 17)
- Week 5 – Caregiver strengths and self-care tips (May 31)
- Week 6 – Sustainable, joyful caregiving: tools, strategies and resources (June 14)
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Week 1 – Caregiver spotlight and journey
- Share recent trends in eldercare delivered by working caregivers
- Three stages of the caregiver transition (moving into the caregiver role)
The turning point. Taking on the role. Moving into advocacy. - Explore the notion of “shifts”. Shifts in….
Relationships, time use, resource allocation, view and perspective… - Mind shift and mental stick handling
Acceptance / Denial ; Empathy / Sympathy ; Resilience / Vulnerability
Week 2 – How stress impacts caregivers, responses and the coping pathway
- Whole person impact – describe, identify, red flags… Physical, emotional, mental
- Caregiver impact and experience: connecting stress to response; the mind<> body connection (sympathetic and parasympathetic system)
- Discover coping pathways and actions you can take
Week 3 – Overcoming challenging emotions and loved one’s behaviours
- Untangle confusing feelings and emotional contradictions
- Gain awareness of feelings that drag you down, or distortions that negatively impact your perspective
- Learn how contingency planning can reduce stress, help regain control
Week 4 – Mindfulness and building caregiver resilience
- Learn about core mindfulness techniques that balance self and help you gain caregiver traction
- Consider different tools and strategies that can move you from survive mode to thrive mode
Week 5 – Caregiver strengths and self-care tips
- Learn to recognize and celebrate your abilities and intrinsic strengths as a caregiver
- Connect strengths with psychological and practical readiness
Week 6 – Sustainable, joyful caregiving: tools, strategies and resources
- Augment caregiver resilience and reward through powerful self-care tips and insights
- Learn about resources and strategies to help nurture and sustain joyful caregiving
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Registration
To register for this virtual series, please email Samantha Munro.