Sinai Health's Enhancing Care program supports dementia caregivers across Ontario

Dementia doesn’t just affect those diagnosed—it transforms the lives of families and caregivers who dedicate themselves to the care of their loved ones. With nearly one million Canadians expected to live with dementia by 2030, the need for caregiver support has never been greater.

To meet this need, the Reitman Centre launched the Enhancing Care for Ontario Care Partners program in 2017. What began as a local clinical group at Mount Sinai Hospital has grown into a province-wide initiative, funded by Ontario Health and offered at 14 partner sites. Sinai Health serves as the program’s provincial hub, overseeing training, implementation, impact reporting, and locally tailored caregiver support.

"With an aging population and growing numbers of older adults with dementia, this program continues to be a vital resource across Ontario," says Dr. Lesley Wiesenfeld, Executive Vice President, Academic and Medical Affairs, Sinai Health and Geriatric Psychiatrist at Mount Sinai Hospital. "We are committed to grow nimbly and responsively while ensuring the program’s ongoing integration with mental health care for older adults and their families."

The CARERS (Coaching, Advocacy, Respite, Education, Relationship, and Simulation) groups available in over 50 communities, both in-person and online, help care partners develop problem-solving skills, enhance communication, and manage dementia-related behaviours. Across the province, the program also extends to Mandarin and Cantonese at the Seniors Wellness Centre and French-speaking care partners through Geriatric Psychiatry Community Services of Ottawa.

"Since the Enhancing Care Program's launch, we've maximized our impact through partnerships, responsive program adaptation, and alignment with leading regional and provincial health strategies in dementia care," says Cheryl Miller, Provincial Program Manager at Sinai Health. "We remain committed to building a sustainable network of CARERS group providers across Ontario."

For more information on caregiver support in Ontario, visit carersontario.ca.

This story has been updated and adapted from its original version published in May 2024.