The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division, in partnership with CMHA Toronto, is launching a free initiative that aims to promote positive mental health and reduce social isolation in caregivers over the age of 55 in the Toronto area. The project, titled “Living Life to the Full for Older Adult Caregivers,” seeks to support caregivers through delivery of the Living Life to the Full program. Living Life to the Full is an 8-week course that provides skills and knowledge to cope with life’s challenges. Also known as “12 hours that can change your life,” Living Life to the Full brings groups of 10 to 15 people together to learn basic principles of cognitive behaviour therapy from trained facilitators in a way that is fun, and interactive. With this knowledge, as well as with knowledge shared between participants, caregivers can feel more in control of their lives, happier, and more socially connected.
CMHA Ontario has trained Living Life to the Full facilitators within 10 community hubs in Toronto including CMHA Toronto, WoodGreen Community Services, and eight Community Health Centres (CHCs). Beginning spring 2016, these facilitators will be delivering the course (valued at $185) for free to caregivers over 55. Through project partnerships with the Association of Ontario Health Centres, the Older Adult Centres Association of Ontario, Toronto Community Housing (TCH) and Health Nexus, courses will be delivered in CHCs, older adult centres, and TCH residences, in order to reduce barriers of access to the course.
To find a course in your community, or to register for the course, please visit the program page.
Living Life to the Full for Older Adult Caregivers is funded by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program as part of the ENRICHES Collaborative. ENRICHES (Engagement to Reduce Isolation of Caregivers at Home and Enhancing Seniors) comprises six agencies that collaborate to support socially-isolated caregivers in Toronto: CMHA Ontario; Alzheimer Society Toronto; Sinai Health System – The Reitman Centre; WoodGreen Community Services; North York Community House; and, the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation. Through a variety of innovative activities, ENRICHES builds community capacity by identifying and engaging caregivers, connecting them to services, and supporting service providers that work with caregivers through training and education.
Questions about the project? Please contact Jenny Hardy, Program Manager, at jhardy@ontario.cmha.ca