Find support in Peel

About CarePartner Learning Series

Our new & redeveloped Support Group Program launching 2020 at Alzheimer Society of Peel combines the best of both worlds of education and facilitated group discussion, to create a completely unique supportive and client centred experience.

Through weekly themed topics, and time limited group sessions running for 4 weeks at a time, CarePartners can register and attend as needed, to ensure their current needs are being met. Having a place and time to come, collect information, resources and education, but also some time to discuss and connect with others travelling the same path.

The Monthly CarePartner Cafe will serve as an anchor, that ties it all together. An informal, relaxed group coming together to talk, share, and socialize with others on the caregiving journey, held monthly, afternoon and evening sessions at 385 Brunel Road location.

CarePartner testimonies

"It offers me the emotional support, validation of the toll the demands and emotions take on me as primary caregiver, information sharing, socialization, friendship, and HOPE, INSPIRATION to begin again the next day."​

-ASP CarePartners

"A wide variety of practical techniques and approaches to being a caregiver are discussed in response to specific issues that group members raise. For example, these might include how to care for a loved one at home, how to get in home support, how to connect to the wider health care community for support and how to engage with the processes for considering Long Term Care homes or retirement homes. In addition, there is a strong emotional "uplifting" and support that comes from these meetings. This is due to interacting with others who are in a similar situation, receiving empathy, and being able to express feelings during the meetings."

-ASP CarePartner

"The nature of the care-giving challenges progressively become complex. Group meetings help me prepare to cope with changes. More importantly, experience sharing helps providing much needed emotional support for the members"​.

Groups & descriptions

CarePartner Cafe

• Frequency: ​Once a month, afternoon and evening session
• Duration:​ 2 hours
• Registration: ​Open and ongoing, drop-in

Concept: ​The CarePartner Cafe is an innovative concept providing an informal, relaxed group coming together to talk, share, and socialize with others on the caregiving journey.

Objectives include reducing stress, providing peer to peer​ support, creating social respite & time away, sharing Information about community supports and CarePartner education, inviting voluntary information and experience, and exploring tools​ to help with the issues of progressive health and wellness and the caregiving experience. This group is best suited for any CarePartner, at any stage.

Goal: Fortifying CarePartners within formation via a social connection to give them a fresh, effective edge in their approach to caregiving. A variety of themes, tools and resources are incorporated.

Co-Facilitated by our Counsellors and Peer CarePartners.

Circle of friends

• Frequency: ​Quarterly, 1 session every 3 months
• Duration:​ 2 hours
• Registration: ​Open and ongoing

Concept: ​Circle of Friends is an inclusive concept providing a structured but relaxed opportunity for both the CarePartner and person living with dementia to come together, socialize and participate in simple, yet engaging and meaningful activities. The disease can be isolating, and friends and family can find it challenging to transition as capabilities and dynamics change within the relationship. This group is best suited for those persons in the earlier stages of symptoms.

Objectives include reducing stress and isolation experienced, providing peer to peer​ support, supporting social engagement, inviting voluntary information and experience, and exploring tools​ to help with the issues of progressive health and wellness.

Goal: Providing both CarePartners and persons living with dementia an inclusive and social connection through guided activity. A variety of themes, topics and resources are incorporated.

Facilitated by our Community Support Workers.

Special and seasonal offerings

Ambiguous loss & grief

• Frequency: Special ​​3-week series
• Duration:​ 2 hours
• Registration: ​Required, max of 10-12 participants

Concept: ​Ambiguous Loss and Grief is a special offering for those CarePartners searching to better understand and cope with the many losses associated with providing care to a person living with dementia. CarePartners will be guided through weekly topics focusing on loss and grief.

Topics: What is Ambiguous Loss, Grief, Coping, Expectations, Asking for help, Self Care & Wellbeing.

Education is provided with ample opportunity for CarePartners to discuss and connect to the material by sharing their own experiences and information. This group is best suited for CarePartners, who are at any stage on the journey and are searching for additional support with these heavy and complex emotions. This group invites voluntary information and experiences.

Goal: Providing CarePartners with a supportive space to better understand and copes with the feelings of loss and grief associated with caregiving for a person with dementia. A variety of themes, topics and resources are incorporated.

Facilitated by our Behavioural Supports Ontario Counsellors.

My health - My wellbeing

• Frequency: Special ​​4-week series
• Duration:​ 2 hours
• Registration: ​Required, max of 10-12 participants

Concept: ​My health - My wellbeing is a special offering exploring the mental health scope of caring for another, and the challenges and emotional toll this role can create. Using a structured psycho-educational format, participants are guided through weekly topics aimed at raising awareness of their current level of mental health and wellbeing.

Topics: Processing difficult feelings, Loss, Grief, Anger, Mindfulness, Self-Care & Wellbeing.

A wealth of education is provided with opportunities for CarePartners to discuss and connect to the material by sharing their own experiences and information. This group is best suited for CareParnters anywhere in the journey, who are seeking an education that will support their overall mental health and wellbeing. This group invites voluntary information and experience and explores tools​ to support mental health & wellbeing.

Goal: Providing CarePartners education and awareness to support, discuss and manage their health & wellbeing A variety of themes, topics and resources are incorporated.

Facilitated by Special Guest.

Walk & Talk

• Frequency: Seasonal for July & August
• Duration:​ 2 hours
• Registration: ​Required, open & unlimited participants

Concept: ​Walk and Talk is a seasonal opportunity to combine the best of peer to peer support with a little light exercise. This group takes the conversation outside, to enjoy the weather and enjoy some much needed social respite and support, with scenery included!

Weekly themes will be shared and conversations will cover all aspects of the CarePartener journey. Participants should be comfortable to participate in light to moderate walking for approx. 45 min. Locations will include but not limited to Port Credit/ Lakeshore walking paths, Chinguacousy Park, and similar.

Goal: Providing CarePartners with a seasonal opportunity to get outside, go for a short walk and connect with others in the caregiving journey.

Facilitated by our Counsellors.