Join this 6-week course to learn strategies and practical tips on how best to help your loved one during COVID-19.  The course open to all Ontario family caregivers of adults (18+) with developmental disabilities. The curriculum will specifically address the mental health challenges that this population can face during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Dates: Every Tuesday, from March 1st to April 5th

Session topics:

March 1, 2022 | Getting help for mental health concerns

Families play a key role in supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to understand and get help for mental health concerns in the context of pandemic restrictions. This session will focus on risk factors for mental health issues and strategies for promoting wellness during COVID-19.

March 8, 2022 | Empowering family caregivers to improve health care communication

This session will focus on key communication tools to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to get the best health care possible.  We will introduce the Family Matters Toolkit, a resource to help: 1) manage common health issues; 2) talk about health issues and health care, and 3) navigate the health care system.

March 15, 2022 | Managing mental health during COVID-19: An introduction to strategies for mental health concerns

This session will explore the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, strategies to manage mood and anxiety difficulties, and knowing when and where to get help.

March  22, 2022 | Health care planning: Promoting decision-making capabilities

The session will focus on health care decision-making for you and your loved one with an intellectual and developmental disability, including advance care planning. We will also share tips and practical tools to make this process easier.

March 29, 2022 | Grief and loss

This session will focus on understanding the impact of grief and loss (e.g., loss of routines, loss of contact with family and friends) during COVID-19. We will also discuss the impact of grieving the loss of loved ones and strategies to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities grieving during this time.

April 5, 2022 | Self-care: Caring for the caregiver 

This session will focus on the family experience of caregiving, including the impact on parents and siblings during COVID-19. We will build awareness of family distress screening tools and evidence-supported inventions to promote caregiver mental health.

To register, click here.