Searching for Support Groups

Adult Day Program -- Monday-Friday 9:30 am-3:30 pm, weekday extended hours, Saturday 10 am-3 pm, available in Scarborough and Richmond Hill

• for persons 50 years and older with special needs, such as physical frailty or mild memory impairment, in need of supervised, structured setting
• social and recreation activities, lunch, snack
• personal care and health related services -- exercise, foot care, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy
• transportation available

Chinese Bereavement Services -- culturally specific bereavement services, including individual support and self help group

• public education, seminars, workshops, information and referral and supportive counselling

Chronic Disease Self Management Program -- 6 week workshop for adults with chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis

• individual counselling with nurse, dietitian and social worker
• health and education workshops, seminars
• caregiver education and support
• information and referral
• workshop licensed by Self-Management Resource Centre

Community Outreach -- outreach programs for those living in seniors apartments and suburban areas, retirement groups,seniors self help groups

• community, wellness and health education
• caregiver support, volunteer development

Community support services -- client intervention and assistance, telephone security checks, friendly visiting, hospice visiting -- free

• congregate dining -- fee, subsidies available
• transportation for medical appointment, transportation -- fee
• referrals, follow up

Elder Abuse Prevention Program -- Chinese Elder Abuse Helpline 416-502-2321, elder abuse education, supportive counselling and support group

Geriatric Assessment & Intervention Network (GAIN) Community Team -- wrap around supported care and services with individualized comprehensive geriatric assessment

• intensive case management, personalized care plan
• service navigation

Home care services -- home help, homemaking, respite care, palliative care -- fee

Personal Care Program -- for seniors living in the community requiring higher level of care, care coordination, scheduled and unscheduled personal support workers' visit, security check

Transitional Care Respite Stay Program -- short stay transitional care for individuals recuperating from illness/hospitalization and respite (caregiver relief) -- fee

Integrated Dialysis Care Program -- Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses visit home peritoneal dialysis patients at their home

• health maintenance, nutritional counselling

Supportive housing services -- for seniors requiring higher level of care, 24 hour on site services at Alexandra Park Apartments and Tam O'Shanter Towers, emergency response service

Senior Active Living Center -- social, recreational and educational programs for persons 55 years and older

• adult day program
• recreational programs
• social evenings
• parents support group/workshops
• peer support group

Eye Surgery Centre

• regional centre for cataract surgery

Prostate Centre

• diagnosis, education, support and treatment planning for prostate cancer

Specialized Geriatric Services

• chronic disease self-management program
• Geriatric Day Hospital - intensive outpatient rehabilitation
• geriatric medicine
• geriatric psychiatry and outreach
• Geriatric Parkinson Clinic
• memory clinic
• osteoporosis and fracture prevention

Community-based rehabilitation and advocacy; affordable supportive housing for people with physical disabilities

Attendant Care Services -- non-medical assistance with activities of daily living

MODC Non-Profit Housing -- supportive care in 6 unit house, capacity 8, in Meynell House with additional houses around Ontario

Pop can tabs collection program -- proceeds support Assistive Devices Program

Home and Vehicle Modification Program, 1-877-369-4867 or 1-877-369-HVMP -- financial assistance (up to $15,000) for basic home and vehicle modifications for permanent Ontario residents with a substantial impairment expected to last one year or more

Acquired Brain Injury Services -- life skills, communication, community integration, emotional and behavioural support, vocational support, recreation

Conductive Education -- for people with neurological motor disorders; physical rehabilitation and education to train the brain and the body

DesignAbility, 1-800-263-3463, ext 7211

• volunteers work with persons with mobility challenges to craft creative, custom-built solutions to overcome barriers to work, play, personal hygiene and other daily activities
• no charge, except for building materials

LIFE (Learning Independence for Future Empowerment) -- skill-building transition sessions to provide support to young adults with a disability

Post-Polio Canada, [email protected], www.marchofdimes.ca/en-ca/programs/postpolio -- in-person and virtual support services, resources and information for polio survivors

After Stroke, [email protected], afterstroke.ca -- person-to-person support, educational opportunities and community-based programs designed to provide connection to other people, hope and life after stroke

Business and training services for other non-profit agencies

A personalized recovery program that helps stroke survivors and their families in the transition from hospital to home, working with and connecting them to resources and services that provide support, education, and participatory programming so they can reestablish their lives and achieve their goals.

Programs are designed to help with:

• Education: Learn practical and important information about stroke.
• Exercise and movement: Help improve physical function, strength, balance, and energy levels.
• Peer support: Connect with other individuals who have bee impacted by stroke to share experiences.
• Skill development: Re-learn and practice skills that will help in day-to-day life.
• Speech and communication: Practice improving speech and communication skills in a safe and welcoming environment.

Personalized recovery program providing support for stroke survivors, as well as their families and caregivers

• services offered both during and after their stay at the hospital
• provides a personalized plan for stroke recovery which is regularly reviewed and adjusted as needed
• connects patients and their families/caregivers with information, resources, and programs in the community

Peer Support Programs

Peer support during hospitalization:

• hospital-based volunteers (who are stroke survivors themselves) offer support by listening, sharing their experiences, and helping to find the information and resources the patient needs
• not available at all hospitals; see website for the list of participating hospitals in Ontario

After Stroke Peer Support Network:

• national network of peer support groups for stroke survivors and their families and caregivers
• online directory of virtual and in-person peer support groups across Canada (includes groups managed by other organizations)

Online peer support groups managed by March of Dimes:

• Stroke Community Conversation
• Young Stroke Survivors: Wisdom Circle
• Young Adults Living with Stroke
• Caregivers of Stroke Survivors
• Life Partners of Stroke Survivors

Education and Resources

Educational resources available on the website:

• articles and videos covering various subjects related to strokes, such as stroke information, caregiver support, mental health, research, and personal stories
• After Stroke Peer Support Toolkit available for individuals and organizations interested in starting a peer support group

Life After Stroke group

• weekly, two-hour online educational sessions for stroke survivors, led by a member of the After Stroke Team alongside someone with lived experience of stroke
• build confidence in managing life after stroke through guided learning and practice
• focus on health and well-being, including secondary stroke prevention, emotional resilience, and lifestyle strategies
• learn practical skills and tools on a variety of topics to support recovery and independence

Exercise and Movement Programs

Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program (GRASP)

• 10-week online rehabilitative exercise program designed to improve arm and hand strength, coordination, and the ability to use the stroke-affected arm in daily activities

Virtual Exercise Program

• chair based, rehabilitative exercise program divided into three levels
• Level One: Foundations: for individuals who are primarily using a wheelchair for mobility and may or may not have good in function in both arms
• Level Two: Functional: for those who are looking to build on their current exercise routine; individuals may use a wheelchair or walker for mobility and may have some use in their affected side arm and hand and want to work on strengthening it further
• Level Three: Focus: for those who have exercised regularly but want to focus on strength, coordination and balance

Services

• introductory programs "New Beginnings" for newly referred clients with aphasia; "Living Your Best Life" for newly referred clients with diagnosis of Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA)
• volunteer led Communication Aphasia Program (CAP) - in-person and online
• conversation groups promote communication and conversation within small groups
• Toastmaster's Gavel Club, creative writing
• documentary program, virtual travel, Hear My Voice (karaoke style program)
• art programs, meditation program
• outreach program offers a 10-week telephone or video call with a volunteer
• community outings and volunteer opportunities for clients
• caregiver support groups for families and friends
• professional training and pictographic resources
• volunteer opportunities

• provides support for research, advocacy and education on the causes and prevention of liver disease

Offers a variety of free online support groups for people affected by Lupus. Visit website for a full list of groups available.

Support, case management and service coordination for children and youth and their family/caregivers

Coordinated Service Planning

• supports for individuals with multiple/complex needs
  
  • children up to 18 years and youth 18-21 years if still in school
  • includes development and monitoring of service plan, service navigation
  • link to other services
  • team meeting coordination and facilitation
    

Ontario Autism Program - Urgent Response Services (URS)

• time limited, rapid service response for children and youth with Autism
• service addresses one specific high-risk behaviour to prevent further escalation of risk of harm to self, others, and/or property

Child and youth mental health including support to Talking About Mental Illness (TAMI) Coalition

• learning events
• resource library, including books and videos available to clients and community

Supports inclusion and capacity building in early learning and care sector

• support for Early Learning and Child Care Community
  

Coordination Services for Children and Youth (CSCY), see separate listing

• resource consultants

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Coordinator, see separate listing

Service navigation, case coordinator, goal planning, information and service planning for children and youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) or possible FASD

• bi-monthly caregiver newsletter providing FASD information about strategies, approaches, and support models
• links to relevant training opportunities, research, articles, podcasts and videos

• Adults with Epilepsy (AWE)
• Parent Support Groups
• Young Adults Support Group
• Partners and Adult Family Members Support Group
• Surgery Support Group
• Professionals Support Group
• Epilepsy Employment Group
• New and Expecting Parents Group
• Recreation Groups

• Adults with Epilepsy (AWE) - third Tuesday of each month, 6pm-8pm * connect with other adults living with epilepsy and learn more about epilepsy and share feelings and concerns.
• Professionals Group - First Tuesday of each month, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. * Meeting for Professionals working with epilepsy.
• Partners and Adult Family Members of People with Epilepsy Group - Quarterly on Monday nights, 6:00pm - 7:30pm * the opportunity to meet, connect and share with other partners living with people who have epilepsy * information from people who are faced with the same issues on how to manage
• Friday Recreation Group - This social group meets every Friday, 1pm - 4pm
• Surgery Support Group - Quarterly online, 5pm -6:30pm * hosted in partnership with Toronto Western Hospital's Epilepsy Program * bring together people with epilepsy who have done surgery with those who are considering surgery as a treatment option

• Young Adults Support Group - First Wednesday of each month, 7:30 pm - 9 pm * a place where individuals with epilepsy can connect with other individuals to offer and receive support by sharing stories, resources and transitional concerns
• Parents Of Young Children Support Group - third Wednesday of every other month, 7:30 pm to 9 pm * a support group for parents to have the opportunity to talk about their issues, connect with others who are going through similar situations and share their resources and experiences
• Parents Of Young Adults and Teens Support Group - last Wednesday of every other month, 6 pm to 8 pm * a support group for parents of young adults and teens living with epilepsy to learn from other parents, develop effective coping strategies and decrease isolation by meeting others

• Adults with Epilepsy (AWE) - third Tuesday of each month, 6pm-8pm * connect with other adults living with epilepsy and learn more about epilepsy and share feelings and concerns.
• Professionals Group - First Tuesday of each month, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. * Meeting for Professionals working with epilepsy.
• Partners and Adult Family Members of People with Epilepsy Group - Quarterly on Monday nights, 6:00pm - 7:30pm * the opportunity to meet, connect and share with other partners living with people who have epilepsy * information from people who are faced with the same issues on how to manage
• Friday Recreation Group - This social group meets every Friday, 1pm - 4pm
• Surgery Support Group - Quarterly online, 5pm -6:30pm * hosted in partnership with Toronto Western Hospital's Epilepsy Program * bring together people with epilepsy who have done surgery with those who are considering surgery as a treatment option

• Information about learning disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Support and guidance to parents and guardians concerning their children's rights in the school system
• Advocacy for both children and adults
• Information to community groups, schools, professional development days, conferences and seminars.
• Referral services
• Direct programming for children, youth and adults

• Adult Programs - Support for adults with Learning Disabilities / AD(H)D
• Children and Youth Programs
• Resource, Information and Advocacy
• Y.I.E.L.D Program
• Youth H.I.R.E (Help in Reaching Employment) Program