Baycrest launching online resource tool to support caregivers
The Baycrest Koschitzky Centre has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at supporting caregivers grappling with mounting challenges like isolation, burnout, and financial strain. The Canadian Caregiver Assessment and Resource Tool (C-CART) is a free online resource that will offer caregivers tending to individuals with disabilities, illnesses, or frailties access to a wide array of services, including health information and financial assistance.
Adriana Shnall, the program director at the centre, highlighted the pressing need for improved systems navigation for Canadian family caregivers. She explained that while resources are available in Canada, many caregivers struggle to locate them. C-CART aims to bridge this gap by tailoring resources based on caregivers’ responses to a questionnaire and centralizing information for those with limited time to search online.
The launch of this online tool has been met with enthusiasm by individuals like Lauren Bates, a Toronto resident who frequently travels to Alberta to care for her family members. Bates recounted the challenges she faced in finding the right resources while caring for her mother, who battled dementia until her passing in 2023, and now looking after her 90-year-old father. She emphasized the arduous process of navigating support services and the critical need for accessible resources.
The lack of financial, emotional, and mental health support for the nearly four million caregivers in Ontario is a stark reality, according to the Ontario Caregiver Organization’s CEO, Amy Coupal. She emphasized the significance of tools like C-CART in providing vital assistance to caregivers across the province and beyond.
Coupal, who has firsthand experience as a caregiver, expressed hope that C-CART would help alleviate the pervasive feelings of loneliness among caregivers in Canada. She noted a concerning trend of caregivers experiencing burnout at an accelerated rate due to inadequate resources and support.
Dr. Samir Sinha, a geriatrician at Sinai Health and University Health Network in Toronto, echoed Coupal’s sentiments, attributing caregiver burnout to mounting pressures like financial instability and excessive workloads. He emphasized the emotional toll caregiving can take and underscored the need for additional online tools to bolster caregivers’ resilience.
In conclusion, the launch of C-CART represents a significant step forward in supporting caregivers facing a myriad of challenges. By providing personalized resources and streamlining access to essential services, this innovative tool has the potential to make a meaningful difference in the lives of caregivers across Canada.
