Spark University

Our next session of Ontario Learn courses are set to begin in a few weeks and registration is NOW OPEN! 🥳

These are courses that our very own experts have created for our community. We saw a gap with no caregiving courses available, so we set out to create content. Here we are a few short years later, partnered with Canadore College and Ontario Learn. So far, we've taught these courses to over 200 students and counting and its something we are incredibly proud of!

Each course is unique in its material, but they are similar in style:
- Online, learn at your own pace.
- Each course is about 30hrs of learning that must be completed between mid January-April 2025
- Each course has discussion questions, a few quizzes, an assignments, and a final exam
- Each course, if successful, will grant you Ontario College Credits (!!!!)
- All course is moderated by an professional with years of experience!

As mentioned, each course will grant you ONTARIO COLLEGE CREDITS! This is absolutely unreal, especially for those if you are still attending college.

Cost: FREE (valued at $335 each)

SPK115 - Caregiving for Children and Youth
The course explores the traits of a successful caregiver and will focus of foundational knowledge of providing care for children and youth

SPK110 - Healthy Living and the Caregiver
This course explores a variety of challenge that community caregivers face when supporting clients in the community. Focus is on self care, avoiding burnout, and preventative care.

SPK100 - Fundamentals of Caregiving
The course will explore the traits of a successful caregiver and will focus of foundational knowledge, including health and wellness, boundaries and caregiving burnout

SPK105 - Professional Issues in Caregiving
The course will explore the Canadian healthcare system, consent and capacity, rights and ethics as well as self care concepts and the uniqueness in our role as a caregiver

SPK120 - Caring for Adults and Older Adults
This course provides practical knowledge to provide care for adults and older adults with chronic/sudden disabilities and the aging process

To register, please use the following link:

Collections Spark Store

Our next session of Ontario Learn courses are set to begin in a few weeks and registration is NOW OPEN!

Upon successful completion of the course, each course will net you Ontario Learn College Credits (!)

Courses:
SPK115 - Caregiving for Children and Youth
The course explores the traits of a successful caregiver and will focus of foundational knowledge of providing care for children and youth

SPK110 - Healthy Living and the Caregiver
This course explores a variety of challenge that community caregivers face when supporting clients in the community. Focus is on self care, avoiding burnout, and preventative care.

SPK100 - Fundamentals of Caregiving
The course will explore the traits of a successful caregiver and will focus of foundational knowledge, including health and wellness, boundaries and caregiving burnout.

SPK105 - Professional Issues in Caregiving
The course will explore the Canadian healthcare system, consent and capacity, rights and ethics as well as self care concepts and the uniqueness in our role as a caregiver.

SPK120 - Caring for Adults and Older Adults
This course provides practical knowledge to provide care for adults and older adults with chronic/sudden disabilities and the aging process

To register:

Events - Spark University Don’t Miss Out On Spark U Events! Get caught up on all the latest events and activities at Spark University from fun social get togethers to health trainings and certifications.

Registration is open until tomorrow for our Fundamentals of Caregiving course AND our Professional Practice in Caregiving course, both in partnership with

Visit the link in our profile to sign up.

Regardless of the intention, never say ANY of the following to a caregiver:

1) "You look tired" - No, they aren't tired. They are exhausted to the bone. and they certainly don't need to be reminded.

2) "It takes a special kind of person to do what you do" - most people don't have a choice and care for their loved ones because that's what they have to do. This is all they know and they are trying to do whatever is best.

3) You should look into a nursing home; it would be better for everyone." - To someone who has been tirelessly caring for their loved one, this can come across as though they are not doing a good enough job. Your good intention may make them feel guilty for not being enough.

4) You shouldn't feel guilty about _______" - Guilt just comes with the territory. When you bring it up, guilt is at the forefront of the scenario.

5) Let me know when you're free; give me a call and we can grab a drink together." - It's a lovely gesture to want to bring them for a drink or a night out. But do not put it on them to initiate the call. It's yet another thing on their list.

There's no privacy as a family caregiver. Everyone knows every detail about your life and challenges, and you rarely get an escape from it. If you are fortunate enough to escape for a bit.
When you are caregiving, there are:
- Constant interruptions
- Constant questions
- re-telling your story over and over again.
- Sharing every intimate , emotional detail
- Difficulties in setting up boundaries to have some alone time
- Loss of independence and freedom

What else are we missing?

New Course!
Our second Ontario College course is open for registration! Professional Issues in Caregiving teaches you tips and tricks to work with the many situations you may find yourself in as a caregiver.

A client who is resentful towards your support? We'll talk about that.

A client who wants you to overstep your boundaries? We'll talk about that.

A client who is rushing towards decisions and you need to help them rethink their choices? We'll talk about that too.

Registration to the public is $335 for this course, but we've negotiated a special rate for just $79. Link is in our profile.

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Have you ever supported someone and you pushed them to make changes, and they weren't exactly appreciated?

Consider this concept of readiness to change. You must meet them where they are at. This can change hour by hour, day by day. They have to be ready before change can happen, regardless of what you, as their caregiver, feel.
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Guilty!

Even though all caregivers need a break, I understand how hard it can be to allow someone else to help care for your loved one. Even though we need a break, it's quicker, easier, and safer if we just do the care ourselves.

However, most friends and family WANT to help. They just don't know how. So let them help with one of the gazillion other things on your to-do list. Maybe it's the groceries. Maybe it's shoveling the driveway. Maybe it's cleaning the eavestroughs. Maybe it's painting the guest bathroom. Maybe it's mopping the floors. Maybe it's just bringing you a coffee and sitting for a chat.

People want to help, but they may be uncomfortable to ask. So create a list of things you need done but don't have the time. Next time someone offers to help, give them the list and have them choose something.

Everyone wins.

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As a caregiver, we do a loooooot of listening. Sometimes, it can be so hard to listen well when you have a laundry list of to-dos rolling around in your brain.

However, here are a few tips to help you be a better listener when someone needs you.

a) Make them food. People are more comfortable opening up when you are sharing a meal together. I read once about a mom who always made her kids pancakes when she could tell they were stressed. It's a great idea to give them a safe space to be heard; food is a great avenue

b) Wait until they are done talking before you respond. Do not interrupt them; not even for clarification

c) Avoid talking about yourself (unless it can be relevant to their situation)

d) Put away your phone

Has anyone ever tried the food suggestion?

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Everything is going to be okay. Hang in there.

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Please share this post! (Little airplane button beside the comment button). Your share and comments will raise money!

Today is day, presented by Canada. For every comment, share, hashtag use, Bell Canada donates $0.05 towards mental health initiatives here in Canada. Last year, they donated almost 7 million dollars. All because people opened up about their own mental health.

This year has been one of the hardest years for many. People lost their jobs, lost their loved ones, lost their outlets for self care. Many of us feel that we've lost who we are.

On the flip side, many people realize what caregivers have been doing for years. Staying home, wearing a mask, washing hands, feeling isolated.

Lets take this opportunity to share what we are most excited about when life returns to "normal" (whatever that is!). What are you most excited to do?

Lastly, use the hashtag as much as you can today to do YOUR part in raising money for mental health!

As always, my DMs are open if you need to chat.

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