b"SUPPORT FOR CAREGIVERSlong-term care teams, caregivers need to be well, yet many are already on the brink of burnout. Data from the Ontario Caregiver Organizations (OCO) 2025 Spotlight report shows that almost half of caregivers (46%) feel lonely, isolated and depressed, 60% feel burnt out, 52% say caregiving is taking a toll on their heath, and 72% say they feel unable to maintain their own healthy behaviours.This doesnt just impact the caregiver: it can compromise resident safety and lower the quality of care, increasing stress for teams if caregivers are not well or at their best.For long-term care homes facing competing priorities and chronic team shortages, introducing new initiatives, however great their potential for good, can feel impossible. But to support caregivers, you dont have to start from scratch; starting can be as Supporting caresimple as enhancing existing practicessuch as any that currently support more effective communication with partner well-beingresidents, family and members of your teamor encouraging team members to ask caregivers how are you doing? How to assess your organizationsThis is the approach our team takes at the Ontario Caregiver Organizations support for caregivers(OCO) Essential Care Partner Support Hub, which exists to guide and support By Alison Kilbourn, Lisa Raffoul & Mariam Zohouri health care organizations as they adopt caregiver-inclusive practices. C aregivers, or care partners When they're present, studies haveWith long-term care teams, our goal is to help them find out how to embed often referred to as unpaidshown that residents physical andcaregiver inclusion and support in a family caregivers (though thepsychological well-being improve,way that works with their teams and role may also be filled by a friend)with their role enhancing caresupport their goalswithout provide up to 90% of patient caremanagement, reducing costs for long- straining resources. in the community and up to 30%term care homes, and protecting theHeres how we do it:of resident care in long-term carephysical and cultural safety of residents homes. They are essential for better(among other outcomes). Getting clear about where youre health outcomes and quality of life forTo be able to contribute to residentat today residents in long-term care.well-being and partner effectively withWhen connecting with your team, our first step is seeing what youre already doing to support caregivers.Resources for caregiver support For instance: When a new resident comes to the Practical, evidence-informed, and built with caregivers and long-term care teams.home, how are families welcomed? Is there any orientation in placefor caregivers? Our I am a Caregiver Toolkit adapted for caregivers inlong-term careDo families and caregivers receive resources to supportA short, two-minute animated video to help caregivers self-identify their well-being? A tip sheet with six easy ways for providers to support caregivers Are any supports offered for caregivers by the home, such as caregiver education opportunities or A resource that identifies simple strategies to supportcaregiver well-beinga support group? Reach out to our team to get your copy (plus, we can print and shipAligning with your priorities caregiver resources to qualifying long-term care homes for free). Now clear on what you currently have in place, our team can work 50 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2026"