Family Caregiver Connections (FCC) Project Coordinator Devora Schwartz-Waxman understands that people need to be heard.  So, when the telephone rings on the FCC's Information and Referral Line, and an anxious voice begin to speak, she listens.  As a result, more than 1,500 callers who have contacted FCC over the past year have been directed to the specific programs and support groups that suited their needs.

Funding and support for the Family Caregiver Connections program reflect the community’s commitment to, and support of, its aging seniors and caregivers.  Family Caregiver Connections is supported by seven Jewish communal agencies: Circle of Care, Baycrest, Jewish Family and Child, Reena, Bernard Betel Centre for Creative Living, JIAS (Jewish Immigrant Aid Services) TORONTO and the Chai Tikvah Foundation.

With the support of these seven partners, and with funding through the province’s Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) as part of Ontario’s Aging at Home Strategy, Family Caregiver Connections helps seniors, their families and their caregivers with practical, relevant strategies for aging at home.  By targeting family caregivers, this unique partnership also provides comprehensive services to what is generally an underserviced population.

"We have had great success with our programming but we can do more," said Schwartz-Waxman.  "Our goal is to develop outreach and services to previously unidentified family caregivers, enhance existing support services and create new initiatives." One such new initiative is the upcoming Educational Support Group for seniors caring for adult children who have a mental health illness.

This support group, taking place over six Tuesday evenings from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm - from August 18 - September 22 - at the Bernard Betel Centre for Creative Living, will include topics such as Community Resources, Future Planning and Estate Planning, and Care for the Caregiver.  Group participants must be over 55 years of age.  Caregivers and family members do not need to be living together.  Parking, transportation and respite services are available.

For registration or more information about Family Caregiver Connections programming, contact (416) 373-4093 or e-mail care@supportingfamilycare.com

Circle of Care, Jewish Family and Child, Reena, Bernard Betel Centre for Creative Living and JIAS (Jewish Immigrant Aid Services) TORONTO receive financial support from UJA Federation.