We are encouraged by the fact that the number of associations calling for better caregiver supports continues to grow!

In addition to organizations named before – like the Canadian Association for Retired Persons, the Conference Board of Canada, the Fraser Institute, and medical advocates associated with the Women’s College Hospital -- we can also count now the Ontario Caregiver Organization as an ally in the care-giving cause.

OCO is a new provincial organization created to help support and reduce the burden on caregivers.  Its mandate, as outlined by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, is “to provide support to all caregivers, regardless of their age, the diagnosis or their geographical location.”  

One of OCO’s first projects is to create a “wishlist”-- as identified by caregivers themselves -- to help meet the needs of caregivers. 

Another is the production and posting of a video to help introduce OCO to the public in the "mental health month" of May.  All this is meant to raise awareness of care-giving, and the need to help caregivers continue their invaluable work

Supporters of this petition are encouraged to view OCO’s video and subscribe to updates on OCO’s activities and projects.

Finally, let's remember that we have a special opportunity to raise caregiver concerns at all-candidates meetings during this year’s federal election campaign. 

As always, you are encouraged to continue sharing this petition with friends and associates to amplify our plea to the national government.

Salvatore (Sal) Amenta, PhD