Caregivers at least 55 years old in the Toronto area can now access a free eight-week course designed to provide skills and knowledge to cope with life’s challenges. Living Life to the Full is a course offered through the CMHA, in partnership with other community agencies, and is meant to support caregivers based on the principles of cognitive behaviour therapy.
Courses in Bloor West, The Junction, North York, Parkdale and Queen West begin this month.
Those considering registering for a course should remember that caregivers are anyone supporting a family member or friend.
The emotional, physical and practical support provided may be viewed as part of daily life – something that we do to take care of those close to us. Instead of caregiver, we may use words like sister, daughter, parent, or friend to describe ourselves. Whatever language is used, caregivers are working in a part, and sometimes full-time job that does not come with a training manual. There are many challenges that may occur in daily life as a caregiver that are difficult to cope with. Stresses related to feeling trapped, overwhelmed, underappreciated, or incompetent are not uncommon for this population. Some caregivers may also become socially isolated from their caregiving, amplifying feelings of sadness and stress.
In this project, we will continue to build awareness of this program in hopes of reaching more caregivers – especially those that are isolated, and having challenges self-identifying. Some examples of individuals that may benefit include: a father caring for his child with Schizophrenia, a daughter taking care of her aging parent, a wife supporting her husband with dementia, and a Toronto based man providing telephone-based emotional support to his sister in Vancouver. More courses are being offered this spring, summer and fall, 2016.
Those interested in finding an upcoming course in their community can visit the CMHA Ontario website.
For questions, please contact program manager Jenny Hardy at jhardy@ontario.cmha.ca.