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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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.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Experiences of Immigrant or Racialized Caregivers Supporting a Person Living with Dementia in Canada
About the Opportunity
Make your voice heard and help improve services for caregivers from diverse cultural backgrounds. The objective of this study is to better understand the challenges, strengths, coping strategies, and support needs of caregivers to inform improvements to services and policies in a more inclusive manner. The researchers are looking for participants who are:
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Currently support or have recently supported a loved one who has memory problems, neurocognitive issues, or Alzheimer's disease, for example
- Identify as an immigrant and/or a racialized person
- Reside in Canada
What will be expected of me?
- Taking part in an individual online interview (via Zoom)
- Lasting 90 to 120 minutes
- In French, English, or in your mother tongue, when possible, with an interpreter
- Conducted by a trained member of the research team
- Audio/video recorded (with your authorization)
- Preceded by a sociodemographic questionnaire (5 min)
- You are free to decline to answer any question and to end the interview at any time.
As a token of appreciation, a compensation of $50 (gift card) will be offered for your time.
How do I participate?
Email Berline Awoume, Project Coordinator at Saint Paul University, to express your interest.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Share Your Experience with Dementia Care
About the Opportunity
Do you or a loved one have experience accessing health or social services after a dementia diagnosis? The Algoma Ontario Health Team (OHT) is inviting residents to share their dementia journeys. They are seeking individuals living with dementia, as well as caregivers, to share their experiences and insights to help inform local services and initiatives.
How do I participate?
You can express your interest by calling (705) 989-4732 or emailing info@algomaoht.ca. You can learn more by visiting the Algoma OHT website.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Research Study for Black Caregivers
About the Opportunity
York University is conducting a study to understand how technology can support care and social connection for Black older adults and their families in Canada. They are looking for caregivers of Black older adults aged 60+ who are homebound and living with mild cognitive impairment to participate in their research.
What will be expected of me?
- Online or in-person one-on-one interviews
- Compensation will be provided to participants
How can I participate?
If interested, please email Dr. Michael Kalu at mkalu@yorku.ca or Dr. Chigozie Ezulike at cezulike@yorku.ca or get in touch by telephone at 437-224-9891.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Volunteer Facilitator Support Opportunity with Alzheimer Society Peel
About the Opportunity
The Alzheimer Society Peel (ASP) runs monthly support groups (CarePartner Café) for their CarePartners to provide connection, shared understanding, and peer support for those caring for a loved one living with dementia. This is offered once in person and once virtually each month. These spaces are facilitated by staff with the help of volunteer CarePartners.
As their CarePartner Café continues to grow, ASP is looking for individuals with lived experience with dementia to volunteer as peer facilitators for these virtual and in-person support groups, alongside staff on a once-per-month basis. Volunteers would allow ASP to reach and support more CarePartners in a meaningful way.
What would be expected of me?
- Lived experience or knowledge of dementia as well as services and supports in the community
- Sensitivity to the cultural/ religious nature of the community that is being served
- Maturity, professionalism and an ethical perspective
- Ability to listen, to have clear and concise communication skills, to link members with others who share something in common, to confront those who are unwilling or unable to acknowledge their difficulties and make changes
- Co-facilitate sessions, provide peer connection, and support discussion in a way that complements staff facilitation
- Able to commit to every group offered (once a month)
- Arrive at least 10 minutes before the group and stay ten minutes later to debrief. This means a time commitment of approximately 2-2.5 hours depending on the group.
How do I get involved?
If interested, contact Imane Maatallah at i.maatallah@alzheimerpeel.com or by phone at 416-886-4285. A short interview will be conducted with the volunteer coordinator and the support group staff facilitators. Training will also be provided after a successful interview. Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Co-design a Caregiver Experience Survey
About the Opportunity
Trillium Health Partners invites caregivers who are 16 years of age or older and reside in Canada to take part in a research project to help co-design a new caregiver experience survey. Your insights and lived experience will play a vital role in shaping a tool that reflects what matters most to caregivers.
What will be expected of me?
- A 2-hour virtual focus group
- Willingness to share your experiences and ideas about caregiver needs and challenges
An honorarium will be provided for your time.
How do I participate?
Please contact Kristina by email or phone (647-249-3809) to express your interest or learn more.
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You cannot leave comment in this blogpost unless you are a part of the project panel.
Help Develop Education Modules for the Developmental Disabilities Alternate Level of Care Collaborative
About the Opportunity
The Specialized Clinical DS Network (SCDSN) is looking for subject matter experts (SMEs) and persons with lived experience to help develop education modules for the Developmental Disabilities Alternate Level of Care (DD ALC) collaborative project to build capacity within the DS sector to better support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are currently designated as Alternate Level of Care (ALC) in hospital settings. The goal is to facilitate their safe and sustainable transition into community-based living environments.
What will be expected of me?
- Selected SMEs (4) will be responsible for researching, creating and presenting materials related to a module for the 4-module staff learning video package in an interactive and inclusive fashion in collaboration with a person with lived experience as well as facilitating 5 bi-monthly Communities of Practice (CoPs) for support staff who have taken the training and applying the skills learned into practice.
- Selected people with lived experience (4) will work with the SMEs to provide input based on their lived experience to ensure the modules include real-life experience and ideas.
- Participants will receive financial compensation for their time.
How do I participate?
Please email admin@scdsn.org and reference this study for more information.
