Caregiving in rural and Northern Ontario comes with unique challenges—from long travel distances and harsh weather to limited access to specialized care. In this episode of Time to Talk, family physician Dr. Lorraine Sharp shares what she sees firsthand in Sault Ste. Marie and why comprehensive family medicine is critical for supporting patients and caregivers in rural communities.

Joined by Amy Coupal, CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization, this conversation explores the realities caregivers face outside urban centres, the gaps in the healthcare system, and how caregivers can find support and advocate for themselves.

A thoughtful discussion on rural caregiving, access to care, and why no caregiver should feel left behind.

For more information on the Ontario Caregiver Organization, visit ontariocaregiver.ca.

The back-to-school transition can be a challenging time for children and families, especially when mental health concerns are part of the picture. In this episode of Time to Talk, we explore the realities caregivers face as routines shift, anxiety rises, and support needs change.

Joined by Tatum Wilson and Vicki Cochrane from Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO), the conversation focuses on how caregivers can recognize when their child may need additional mental health support, why early intervention matters, and how schools and community organizations can work together more effectively. We also discuss updates to the School Mental Health Backpack, expanded resources for school attendance challenges, and the importance of trusting your instincts as a caregiver.

This episode offers practical guidance, reassurance, and resources for families navigating children’s mental health during back-to-school season and beyond.

To learn more about Children’s Mental Health Ontario (CMHO) and available resources, visit www.childrensmentalhealthontario.ca.

For more information on the Ontario Caregiver Organization, visit ontariocaregiver.ca

Dans ce Balado C'est le temps de parler, l'animatrice Vanessa Lee accueille Lee-Anne Boucher, une travailleuse sociale clinique avec plus de 27 ans d'expérience dans le secteur de la santé. Ayant travaillé comme travailleuse sociale en milieu hospitalier, coordonnatrice de soins et gestionnaire d’équipe de santé à Ottawa, Lee-Anne offre des informations précieuses sur la navigation dans le système de santé et les défis en matière de santé mentale auxquels sont confrontées les personnes aidantes.

En tant que personne aidante elle-même, elle comprend bien le fardeau émotionnel et physique que peut engendrer ce rôle. Elle partage des stratégies pratiques pour gérer le stress, l'anxiété et l'épuisement, en soulignant l'importance de la connexion corps-esprit pour maintenir le bien-être.

Que vous soyez une personne aidante à la recherche de soutien ou simplement intéressée par les ressources disponibles, cette conversation offre des conseils concrets pour naviguer dans le système de santé tout en priorisant la santé mentale.

Pour plus d'informations sur l'Organisme de soutien aux aidants naturels de l'Ontario, visitez aidantsontario.ca

Dans ce Balado C'est le temps de parler, Vanessa Lee s'entretient avec la travailleuse sociale agréée Melina Ladouceur pour explorer comment naviguer à travers le stress, le deuil et les grandes transitions de la vie en tant que personnes aidantes. Grâce à son expertise en counseling individuel et en groupes de soutien, Melina partage ses conseils sur les stratégies d'adaptation, la résilience émotionnelle et l'importance de créer un espace sûr pour traiter les émotions difficiles.

Que vous soyez une personne aidante confrontée à une perte personnelle, à un changement majeur ou au stress quotidien, cette conversation vous offre des outils et des perspectives précieuses pour avancer avec force et acceptation. Écoutez cette discussion réfléchie sur l'acceptation des défis de la vie avec compassion et soutien.

Pour plus d'informations sur l'Organisme de soutien aux aidants naturels de l'Ontario, visitez aidantsontario.ca

In this episode of Time to Talk, host Michelle Jobin sits with Dr. Tara Kiran, a family physician, researcher, and advocate for a stronger, more equitable primary care system in Canada. She is the Fidani Chair in Improvement and Innovation at the University of Toronto and a scientist at the MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions. She practices family medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto. In 2022, Dr. Kiran launched OurCare, a national initiative aimed at reshaping primary care based on the needs and voices of patients.

Through her research and on-the-ground experience, she explores solutions for making healthcare more inclusive, accessible, and patient-centered.

Dr.Kiran also discusses her new podcast, Primary Focus, where she takes listeners inside innovative healthcare clinics in Canada and beyond, tackling the biggest challenges in primary care today.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about improving healthcare and ensuring better access for all.

For more information on the Ontario Caregiver Organization, visit ontariocaregiver.ca

Health 811:https://health811.ontario.ca/static/guest/home

OurCare: https://www.ourcare.ca/find-a-family-doctor

Primary Focus: https://www.primaryfocus.ca/

Host Michelle Jobin talks with Bill Willis, a devoted husband and caregiver to his wife of 47 years, Lynne, who is living with Alzheimer’s. Bill shares his deeply personal caregiving journey—from the early signs of Lynne’s memory loss to navigating the complexities of long-term care, hospital stays, and the challenges of being recognized as an essential care partner.

Through his experiences, Bill became a strong advocate for the Essential Care Partner Support program at Lakeridge Gardens, a state-of-the-art long-term care home. He discusses how this initiative is changing the way healthcare providers collaborate with caregivers, ensuring they are included as key members of the care team.

This episode highlights the emotional, logistical, and systemic challenges caregivers face, while offering insights into how healthcare settings can better support them. Whether you're a caregiver yourself or interested in the evolving role of family support in healthcare, Bill’s story is a powerful testament to the need for compassion, communication, and systemic change.

For more information on the Ontario Caregiver Organization, visit ontariocaregiver.ca

For more information on the Essential Care Partner Support program, visit https://ontariocaregiver.ca/essential-care-partner/overview/ 

We welcome Amy Coupal, CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO), to discuss the realities of caregiving and the crucial support available for Ontario’s 4 million caregivers. With over 20 years of experience in the non-profit sector and a personal connection to caregiving, Amy shares insights on the emotional and physical demands of supporting a loved one, the resources available to caregivers, and the importance of advocacy in shaping healthcare systems.

We also explore key findings from OCO’s latest Spotlight Report and Caregiver Preparedness Report, which highlight the evolving needs of caregivers and the steps we can take to better prepare and support them. Whether you are a caregiver yourself or know someone who is, this episode provides valuable knowledge, practical strategies, and a deeper understanding of the caregiving journey.

For more information on the Ontario Caregiver Organization, visit ontariocaregiver.ca

The Spotlight Report 2024: https://ontariocaregiver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/OCO-SpotlightReport-2024-ENG-FINAL-121024.pdf 

The Caregiver Preparedness Report: https://ontariocaregiver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/OCO-Preparing-to-Care-Report-2025-EN.pd

In this episode of Time to Talk, host Michelle Jobin is joined by Dr. Heather Keller, a registered dietitian and professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. Dr. Keller shares her expertise on improving nutrition for older adults, particularly those living with dementia, and offers practical tips for caregivers to create positive mealtime experiences.

If you're a caregiver looking for practical advice and support, this episode is packed with valuable insights to help you navigate the journey.

Older Adult Nutrition Screening: olderadultnutritionscreening.com

Dementia Wellness Canada: dementiawellness.com

More information about Dr. Keller’s research can be found here: https://uwaterloo.ca/nutrition-and-aging-lab/

For more information on the Ontario Caregiver Organization, visit ontariocaregiver.ca 

In this episode, we speak with Carla Velastegui, whose caregiving journey began in 2011 when her mother was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease. As part of an immigrant family facing language barriers, Carla became her mother’s strongest advocate—navigating complex healthcare systems, translating medical terms, and ensuring her mother stayed actively involved in her care plan.

At the same time, Carla was building her career, striving to keep her professional and caregiving roles separate. However, the evolving demands of caregiving led her to realize the importance of workplace policies that can support employees in similar situations. She shares how she managed work-life balance and the valuable lessons she’s learned along the way.

For more information on the Ontario Caregiver Organization, visit ontariocaregiver.ca 

To access resources and toolkits for working caregivers, visit ontariocaregiver.ca/managing-care/working-caregivers

One thing you shouldn't have to worry about while becoming a caregiver is your finances, but for many, financial stress is a major challenge. In this episode of Time to Talk, host Michelle Jobin speaks with Becky Western-Macfadyen, Manager of Financial Coaching and Education at Credit Canada, to explore practical ways caregivers can build financial resilience and take control of their money.

Becky, with over 25 years of experience in credit counselling, shares expert advice on budgeting strategies, managing debt, and planning for the future— all while balancing the demands of caregiving. She discusses when to seek financial help and how to avoid common pitfalls, such as over-relying on credit. This conversation offers actionable tips to help caregivers find stability and peace of mind.

For more information about Credit Canada visit www.creditcanada.com or call 1-800-267-2272. To access Financial Readiness Kits, visit https://www.creditcanada.com/flm-2022

For more information on the Ontario Caregiver Organization visit ontariocaregiver.ca