Connecting The Dots For Caregivers
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DiseaseServices.png Disease and Condition Services

There may be supports available in your community depending on the disease or condition your friend or family member may have. These services often require a diagnosis to access and can provide specific support and resources.

 

A Caregiver's Perspective


When my mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease I was able to access many resources that were specific for her condition. The supports and connections that I gained through these organizations were helpful in navigating my role and improving my mom’s quality of life. I always attended the support group, even though it was very difficult at the beginning. I thought it was meant for people who needed more support than I did, but soon I found that this group became my home base for support. I still attend periodically, even after my Mom passed. More recently, my Brother was diagnosed with a rare disease. I am finding it more difficult to connect with people who share a similar experience. In this case I am finding online forums very helpful to communicate with people who are farther away. I also continue to benefit from attending general caregiver groups in my community.
 

Tips for Caregivers by Caregivers


• While everyone’s experience is individual and no journey will be the exact same as yours, it can help to reach out to others who have similar experiences as caregivers.

• If there is not an organization or society chapter specific to your friend or family member’s disease or condition in our community, it is worth reaching out to another chapter as they still may be able to connect you with resources.

• For support with rare conditions, you may be able to find an online support community or resources for other similar conditions.

• Despite your loved ones diagnosis or condition, finding general caregiver supports can still be helpful.
 

Click on the links below to find out what disease or condition specific resources are available to assist you in your caregiving role.
  • Acquired Brain Injury
    Clinical and community supports for people who have sustained a debilitating injury to the brain. Acquired brain injury (ABI) can be traumatic or non-traumatic but do not include congenital or degenerative conditions. Some examples of ABI ...
  • Allergies
    Allergies are a condition in which the immune system is overly sensitive to substances that are generally not harmful. Allergies are very common, and both genetic and environmental factors play a role. While minor allergies can be easily ...
  • Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
    Dementia is the loss of intellectual functions, such as thinking, remembering and reasoning, of sufficient severity to interfere with a person's daily functioning. It is not a disease in itself, but rather a group of symptoms that may ...
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and treatment for people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a progressive neurological disorder marked by weakened muscles.
  • Arthritis
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and treatment for people with chronic joint inflammation and other conditions affecting joints and other tissues.
  • Asthma
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and treatment for people with asthma, a condition in which the airways narrow causing difficulty breathing.
  • Autism Support Groups and Organizations
    Resources and supports for people with autism spectrum disorders, and their families.
  • Blindness and Vision Loss
    Counselling, support, and referral services for people with blindness or sight loss, and their families. They may also provide information on assistive technologies to support independence.
  • Blood Disorders
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by blood disorders, such as hemophilia and anemia.
  • Bone Disease
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by bone disease, such as bone cancer, brittle bone disease, and osteoporosis.
  • Breast Health and Diseases Support Groups and Organizations
    Information and support for women with breast cancer, breast cancer survivors, or women with questions about breast health.
  • Cancer and Tumour Support Groups and Organizations
    Support groups, associations, and foundations provide information and support to those living with cancer or tumours and their families/caregivers.
  • Cerebral Palsy
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and treatment, for people with cerebral palsy, a congenital movement disorder that affects movement, muscle tone, balance, and posture.
  • Colon Cancer Support Groups and Organizations
    Support groups, associations, and foundations provide information and support to those living with colorectal cancer and their families/caregivers.
  • Continence Care and Supports
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and treatment for people living with urinary or fecal incontinence.
  • Cystic Fibrosis
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and treatment for people with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder in which excessive mucus clogs the lungs and the digestive system.
  • Deafness and Hearing Loss
    Programs and services for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, which may include diagnostic hearing tests, counselling, education, and the provision of hearing and communication assistance devices.
  • Diabetes
    Health services and supports for people of all ages living with prediabetes or diabetes.
  • Digestive Diseases and Disorders
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and treatment for chronic digestive disorders such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and celiac disease, as well as other conditions.
  • Diseases and Conditions Support Groups
    Support groups are usually organized and managed by their members for peer to peer support. Members are commonly volunteers who have personal experience related to the groups focus. Support group members provide each other with various ...
  • Down Syndrome
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by Down syndrome.
  • Eating Disorders
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder.
  • Endocrine System Disorders and Diseases
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and management, for conditions of the endocrine glands such as thyroid disease and Addison's disease.
  • Epilepsy
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by epilepsy.
  • Erectile Dysfunction
    Erectile dysfunction is the inability to perform sexual intercourse. The cause is usually physical but may be compounded by psychological issues.
  • Eye Health and Diseases
    Clinical and medical eye services that diagnose and treat people with eye disorders.
  • Fertility Services
    Fertility services provide diagnostic and treatment services for people unable to conceive children, or who require fertility preservation.
  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
  • Fibromyalgia
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by fibromyalgia.
  • Genetic Disorders
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and management, for gene-related disorders such as Turner or Hunter syndrome.
  • Headaches and Migraines
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by headaches or migraines.
  • Heart Disease
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and treatment for many types of heart disease such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and heart rhythm disorders.
  • Hepatitis
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by hepatitis.
  • HIV / AIDS
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by HIV / AIDS.
  • Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people with hydrocephalus and spina bifida.
  • Kidney Disease
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by kidney disease.
  • Learning Disabilities
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people with learning disabilities, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Liver Diseases
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people with diseases of the liver. There are over 100 liver diseases caused by a variety of factors such as genetics, viruses, toxins, or alcohol.
  • Lung and Respiratory Conditions
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and treatment for people with lung diseases.
  • Mood and Anxiety Disorders
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by mood or anxiety disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, bipolar disorders (manic depression), and states of ...
  • Movement Disorders
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and treatment for people with a nervous system condition that causes abnormal movements, or slow, reduced movements.
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and treatment for people with multiple sclerosis, a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system.
  • Muscular Dystrophy (MD)
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and treatment for people with muscular dystrophy, an inherited condition affecting the muscles, gradually leading to disability.
  • Ostomy Care and Supports
    Services that provide support, or assessment and treatment for people living with an ostomy.
  • Pain
    Pain can interfere with work, sleep and overall enjoyment of life. If you are living with pain, support is available to help you cope and improve your quality of life. Most painful conditions can be treated.
  • Parkinson's Disease
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and treatment for people with Parkinson's disease, a chronic and progressive movement disorder.
  • Poisoning
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people who have (or may have) been affected by poisons.
  • Postpartum Depression
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by postpartum depression.
  • Prostate Cancer
    The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancer cells form in the prostate. Services offer information and support, screening, management and treatment of prostate cancer.
  • Psychosis
    People with psychosis may experience personality changes, hallucinations, false beliefs, or impaired insight. This condition can be caused by disease, injury, substance use, or mental illness.
  • Schizophrenia
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by schizophrenia.
  • Self-Management Support Programs
    Programs that focus on the support and empowerment of patients living with a chronic disease, and their families. These programs are designed to help individuals make realistic goals, build confidence in their ability in managing their ...
  • Sexual Health Clinics
    Free and confidential clinical services which include sexual health testing, counselling, and treatment.
  • Skin Diseases
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people affected by skin diseases, such as rashes, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, and cancer.
  • Speech and Language
    Speech and language programs help individuals who have a communication disorder, such as voice disorders, hearing impairment, delayed language skills, cleft palate or tongue disorder, stutter or aphasia.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for people with spinal cord injuries that resulted in a loss of function, such as reduced mobility or feeling.
  • Stroke
    Services that provide support, or treatment and rehabilitation, for people who have suffered a stroke because blood flow was stopped or restricted to a part of their brain.
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
    Services that provide information and awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Some services may provide peer-to-peer emotional support to families who have suffered the sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant.
  • Thalidomide
    Services or programs that specialize in providing treatment, counselling, or support for thalidomide victims.
  • Tourette Syndrome
    Services that provide support, or diagnosis and treatment for people with Tourette syndrome, a condition that causes them to make involuntary sounds and movements called tics.
  • Wound Care
    Services that provide support, or assessment and treatment for those with a wound or open sore that is either difficult to heal or keeps returning after it heals.