Care Partner Support Services

Father and son playing video games at home

At North Shore Health Network, we recognize the important role Care Partners play in the health, well-being, and recovery of our patients, residents, and clients. We are committed to partnering with patients and their Care Partners whenever possible and appropriate. By working together, we can help ensure care is respectful, collaborative, and tailored to each individual's needs.

Every patient, resident, or client that attends NSHN has the right to identify an individual as
their care partner. Care Partners no longer require a badge.

WHY "CARE PARTNER" AND NOT "CAREGIVER"?
At North Shore Health Network, we use the term Care Partner because it recognizes family members, friends, and other trusted individuals as valued partners in care. The term emphasizes collaboration, respect, and shared decision-making, acknowledging the important role they play alongside patients and the healthcare team while honouring the patient's goals, preferences, and autonomy.

WHAT IS A CARE PARTNER?

A Care Partner is a person identified by a patient, or by their Substitute Decision Maker (SDM) or Power of Attorney (POA), who provides ongoing support and assistance. Care Partners may be:

family members
friends
spouses
guardians
cultural or community supports
individuals who are important to the patient

NOTE: Care Partners may or may not live with the patient and are not necessarily a legal decision-maker.

Care Partners often provide physical, emotional, social, cultural, and practical support. They may assist with daily care needs, help communicate patient preferences, participate in care planning discussions, and work alongside the healthcare team to support the patient's goals and well-being.

Unlike casual visitors, Care Partners play an active role in a patient's care journey. Their involvement can range from occasional support during a short-term illness to ongoing assistance over months or years.

Research and experience show that engaging Care Partners can lead to:

improved patient safety and quality of care
better patient experiences and health outcomes
more equitable, person-centred, and culturally safe care
smoother transitions between care settings and home
stronger communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers
enhanced support for both patients and healthcare teams

HEALTHCARE JOURNEY BINDER

The Healthcare Journey Binder is a practical tool designed to help

patients, residents, clients and their Care Partners stay organized

throughout their care journey. It provides one convenient place to keep

important health information, appointment details, medication lists,

questions for the care team, and other key documents, making it easier to

communicate, participate in care decisions, and support continuity of care.

Click on the image to view and download the Healthcare Journey Binder.

Care Partner Guide

What's the Difference?

Care Partner Support Services

In Ontario, ~4 million caregivers provide physical or emotional support to a family member, partner, friend or neighbor. It is important to understand that many people do not consider themselves an actual caregiver or care partner – rather they think of themselves as a family member or friend who is “just doing what needs to be done”.

Many of these individuals feel overwhelmed and find it difficult to get the information and support they need; frequently experiencing increased levels of stress and signs of depression and burnout. The challenges and obstacles that may occur when a caregiver is required to navigate the healthcare sector, especially when their loved one becomes hospitalized, can compound an already exhaustive and anxiety-ridden situation.

The Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO) recognizes caregivers as essential partners in a patient’s care. OCO’s Caregiver ID program has been adopted and adapted at NSHN as Care Partner Support Services which acts to prioritize, support, and equip Care Partners with the tools and resources required to advocate and care for not only their loved one, but for themselves as partners in their loved one’s care. It is important to note that OCO also provides tools and resources to support the provision of education for all members of a patient’s care team, including Providers, to ensure that Care Partners are appropriately engaged and included within a patient’s circle of care.

OCO's "SCALE" Program (Supporting Caregiver Awareness, Learning, and Empowerment) provides resources for Care Partners designed around the real emotional experiences of:

burnout
guilt
grief
anger
loss of identity
isolation

To learn more about this program and access webinars, workbooks, and other supportive materials click here.