Contribute to Caregiver-Focused Research
The Ontario Caregiver Organization is frequently asked to connect researchers and other stakeholder organizations with caregivers. Where appropriate, we will share these invitations and connect interested members with relevant parties.
In the past, we have supported focus groups with the Ontario Ombudsman office, research initiatives with various academic institutions and research to practice initiatives with various health care providers. We will continue to share these opportunities and thank caregivers who have engaged and contributed in this way.
There are external opportunity for caregivers in French only. For these opportunities, please visit Perspectives Aidance Naturelle in French: https://www.perspectivesaidancenaturelle.ca/occasions-externes
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Help shape heart failure research
About the Opportunity
Researchers with the University of Ottawa Heart Insitute are looking for insights from caregivers who have supported someone with heart failure. They're looking to understand the connection between heart failure and brain-related changes (i.e. thinking, mental health). The purpose of the project is to develop the Top 10 priorities in brain-heart failure research.
What will be expected of me?
Completion of a brief, anonymous survey to help rank the questions that are most important for researchers to answer. Please note: You do not need to have participated in Survey 1 to participate in Survey 2.
Participants can choose to have their name entered in a draw for a $50 gift card. Not all participants receive a gift card.
How do I participate?
You can participate by visiting brainhf.com by September 30.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Help Improve the Diabetes Care Journey
About the Opportunity
Health Commons Solution Lab, in collaboration with Shoppers Drug Mart, invite Peel Region residents affected by diabetes or prediabetes to understand their experiences and explore how pharmacy services can better support their care.
What will be expected of me?
- 60 to 90 minutes of your time
- Participate virtually or in-person
- Participate in individual or small group conversations
You'll receive a $50 Gift Card as a thank you for your time.
How do I participate?
Please contact Project Coordinator, Emma Chea (emma.chae@sinaihealth.ca or 647-234-9411) to express your interest.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Participate in a Youth Panel
About the Opportunity
Are you a young person who provides, or has provided, care or support to a family member, friend, or loved one? Researchers and educators at the University of Toronto and Royal Roads College are inviting young caregivers (ages 18-29) to join a virtual youth panel exploring how Canada’s health system can better recognize, include, and support young people who have caregiving responsibilities. This panel is part of a project to better understand ways health systems can support young caregivers.
About the panel
This panel is part of a presentation titled Toward a Caregiver‑Inclusive Health System: Understanding and Addressing the Barriers Young Caregivers Face at the 6th Annual Canadian Children, Youth and Communities (CCYC) In|Equity Conference at the University of Toronto. The goal is to ensure young caregivers’ voices guide recommendations for health-system leaders, clinicians, educators, and policymakers.
They want to hear directly from young caregivers about questions such as:
- What is it like to navigate the healthcare system as a young caregiver?
- When have healthcare professionals made you feel included—or excluded?
- What barriers make caregiving more difficult for young people?
- What kinds of information, recognition, or support would make a difference?
- What should healthcare professionals and decision-makers understand about young caregivers?
- What would a truly ‘caregiver-inclusive health system’ look like?
What would participation involve?
Panelists will take part in a one-hour facilitated virtual conversation, with 30 minutes dedicated to youth presenters and the rest to contextualizing the topic and audience participation, about young caregivers and the health system. Information and discussion questions ahead of time so you know what to expect.
- Date: October 28 at 2:30pm ET (to be finalized)
- Location: Virtual
Total Time Commitment: 3-4 hours, including a one-hour preparation call, your optional personal preparation time, a possible dry-run, the conference session, and a short, optional post-event group debrief. They are available for additional conversations about your presentation and contributions.
While they are not able to offer an honorarium for this panel. The researchers recognize that young caregivers’ time and insight are valuable. To honour that, participation is flexible and supportive. Panelists will be credited as contributors in an academic publication that will come out of this project. A recognition letter that you can use for your CV or future applications will be provided.
How to get involved
If you are interested in participating, please contact us at Dr. Kate Butler (katepbutler123@gmail.com and Dr. Uttam Bajwa uttam.bajwa@utoronto.ca) by September 8 You can write to either one of us. Please share a few sentences about yourself and why you would like to join the conversation. Even if you’re not sure if you meet the participation criteria, they'd love to hear from you.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Help co-design a social prescribing program for caregivers
About the Opportunity
Researchers at McMaster University are looking for caregiver insights to inform a social prescribing program. These programs include non-medical prescriptions that strengthen health and well-being. Participants will be entered to win an iPad.
Who can participate?
They are looking for caregivers who meet the following criteria:
- Currently or recently working (within the last 12 months) in paid employment in any sector (full time or part time)
- Provide unpaid care to an adult dependent aged 18 or older or a child with disabilities
- Lives in Hamilton Ontario
What will be expected of me?
- You will complete two surveys (before and after the program)
- You will be engaging in a developed social prescribing program over the course of 6-weeks
- You will be offered Personal Support Worker Services for your care recipient throughout the duration of your participation in the intervention study
How do I participate?
You can get started by filling out the screening questionnaire. If you have any questions, you can contact Reemal Shahbaz: reemal.shahbaz@mail.utoronto.ca
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Help Inform Dementia Research
About the Opportunity
Researchers with the University of Regina Aging, Residents, and Caregivers Research Unit are looking for caregivers who support someone living with dementia for their research. They are looking to help build a better understanding of the experience of lived time and well-being among people living with dementia.
What will be expected of me?
- Complete an online survey to determine your eligibility
- Reviewing the consent form
- Select a convenient time for an interview
- Provide information about how the person you care for experiences time, including the past, present and future. You can also share how this time related experience affects your daily life and wellbeing as a care provider
How do I participate?
You can participate by visiting this website to fill out the eligibility survey. If you have any questions please contact arcresearch@uregina.ca.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Research Study: Exploring the Use of ChatGPT in Caregiving
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Male Spousal Caregiver Research
About the Opportunity
Researchers at UBC are recruiting male caregivers from across Canada for a study exploring the experiences of men who provide care to a spouse or partner. The study includes a photovoice component, where participants use photography to tell their caregiving story and reflect on their experiences.
This project seeks to better understand the gendered dimensions of older men’s masculine identities, roles and relations in the context of their spousal caregiving experiences. The findings will inform the development of a gender responsive facilitated peer support group program for older men who provide spousal care. You can learn more here.
What will be expected of me?
- Completing a brief demographic survey (10 minutes)
- Taking and submitting 5-10 photographs that illustrate caregiving experiences
- Narrating the photographs in a Zoom or in-person interview (1 hour)
- You will be eligible to receive an Amazon e-gift card for participating in the photovoice interview.
Who can participate?
Researchers are looking for participants who meet the following criteria:
- Speak and understand English
- Live in Canada
- Self-identify as a man
- Are aged 65 years or older
- Are currently caring for a spouse/partner in community, or an Assisted Living or Long-Term Care home
How do I participate?
If you are interested in participating, please contact project manager Dr. Nina Gao at nina.gao@ubc.ca.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Supporting Seniors During Extreme Heat
About the Opportunity
If you're a caregiver living in York Region, The Keeping It Cool project, funded by Health Canada, wants to hear from you. They're researching the impact of extreme heat on seniors' health and wellbeing, and hosting in-person focus groups to understand how seniors are coping with extreme heat, what caregivers are doing to support them, and the challenges they face.
Participants will receive a gift card for their time and effort.
What to expect?
If you choose to participate, you will be asked to:
- Attend an in-person focus group discussion with other seniors or caregivers in York Region
- Take part in a session lasting up to two hours
- The focus group is taking place on July 22 from 6 PM to 8 PM at Club 55 Keswick, 130 Gwendolyn Blvd, Keswick.
Who can participate?
They are looking for participants who meet the following criteria:
- Are a senior (age 55+) living in York Region, not currently residing in an assisted living facility such as long-term care
- Are a caregiver (age 18+) of a senior living in York Region
- Are comfortable communicating in English
How do I participate?
If you are interested in joining a focus group, please fill out the Keeping It Cool Focus Group Sign Up form or call 647-461-4646 to speak with Diane Balkaran, the focus group coordinator, Piat Public Health.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Supporting Migrant 2SLGBTQIA+ Unpaid Caregivers for Family Members Living with Chronic Illnesses
About the Opportunity
Are you a 2SLGBTQIA+ migrants who provides unpaid care to a family member or chosen family member living with chronic illness? Researchers at York University want to hear from you. They are currently conducting a research study exploring the lived experiences, challenges, and support needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ migrants who provide unpaid caregiving to someone with a chronic illness.
Participants will receive a $25 e-transfer as a thank you for their time and contribution.
What to expect?
If you choose to participate, you will be asked to:
- Attend a brief 10–15-minute online pre-screening meeting to confirm eligibility
- Take part in a one-on-one online interview (via Zoom) of approximately 60 minutes
Who can participate?
They are looking for participants who meet the following criteria?
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Identify as 2SLGBTQIA+
- Identify as a migrant
- Currently provide unpaid care to a family member or chosen family member living with a chronic illness
- Are comfortable participating in an interview in English
How do I participate?
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact the research team by email: LGBTQIAmigrant@yorku.ca. The recruitment deadline is January 31, 2027.
Study details:
Study led by Dr. Haghiri-Vijeh (rvijeh@yorku.ca). Approved by the Human Participants Review Sub-Committee, York University's Ethics Review Board. REB Protocol Number: 251 -
You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Research Study: Insights from Informal Caregivers of Lung Transplant Recipients
About the Opportunity
Researchers at the University of Windsor are looking for informal caregivers supporting someone after a lung transplant—a family member, friend, or loved one- to complete a survey. A study titled Through the Lens of Those Who Care: Insights from Informal Caregivers of Lung Transplant Recipients explores caregivers’ experiences—challenges they face, the supports available, and the factors that help or hinder ability to cope.
They are looking for participants based in Ontario who have cared for someone following a lung transplant.
What will be expected of me?
You will be asked to complete an online questionnaire.
The survey includes questions about transplant-related caregiving experiences. It is expected to take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Participants will be entered into a draw for a gift card ($25 Everything Gift Card)
How do I participate?
Please email JSResearch@uwindsor.ca or complete the pre-screening survey to see if you are eligible to participate.
