Care Partner/Caregiver Education and Supports Research Study

ECHO: Improving Women's Health in Ontario has funded a study to develop best practice indicators for programs and tools that provide education and support to family members and friends who care for others.

So far, the research team and the project’s Steering Committee have been reviewing reported research studies and current practices in Ontario, elsewhere in Canada and the United States. We have now come up with five draft promising practice themes and 15 indicators. We are seeking stakeholder input and comment on these draft indicators.

After we receive your thoughts, input, and feedback, it will be published in a final report that will be available to the public and used in further planning and development of critical caregiver support resources.

LOG IN if you're a Member already or SIGN UP to become a Care To Know Centre Member and drop us a line here at the Care To Know Centre with your answers and comments by October 21st, 2011 - you can make an impact and help us make a difference for caregivers in Canada and beyond!

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Please review these draft promising practice indicators and provide us with your thoughts by email to justinetoscan@saintelizabeth.com or in the comment section below, using the following questions as a guide:

1.      Is there one (or more) of these indicator themes that you feel is more important in an education or support program? If yes, why?  If no, why not?

2.      Did you find any of the themes too vague or less important for effective programs? If yes, why? If no, why not?

3.      Is there anything you think should be added to the themes or indicators?

Draft indicators

#1 Respect the holistic needs of care partners

Ø  Tailor approaches to unique care situation

Ø  Consider relationships between partners in care

Ø  Consider gender-specific needs

Ø  Show cultural sensitivity

#2 Promote networking between care partners

Ø  Engage peer support

Ø  Create community connections

Ø  Use online interactive resources

#3 Address the emotional context of providing care

Ø  Highlight the positive aspects of providing care

Ø  Include strategies to enhance overall wellbeing

#4 Target different stages of providing care

Ø  Address changing needs over time

Ø  Promote proactive planning

#5 Recognize the barriers that care partners experience

Ø  Acknowledge the need for respite

Ø  Address accessibility issues

Ø  Promote awareness of options

Ø  Find means of encouragement

Thank you for taking the time to provide your valuable feedback!

The Saint Elizabeth Research Team

Danielle Bender, Research Associate

Saint Elizabeth Health Care

DanielleBender@saintelizabeth.com

Dr. Catherine Brookman, Vice President, Research and Program Development

Saint Elizabeth Health Care

CatherineBrookman@saintelizabeth.com

Dr. Paul Holyoke, Director, Research and Program Development

Saint Elizabeth Health Care

paulholyoke@saintelizabeth.com

Betty Tapping, Caregiver

btapping@rogers.com

Justine Toscan, Research Associate

Saint Elizabeth Health Care

JustineToscan@saintelizabeth.com