Family Caregivers Research Study about Health and Developmental Disabilities During COVID-19

Looking for ways to help you and your family stay healthy in the next phase of the pandemic? You are invited to take part in a research study, Addressing unmet and emerging health needs of Canadian adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families during COVID-19. 

We are looking to recruit family caregivers of adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities from across Canada to evaluate the impact of offering a virtual education program. 

Course Dates – The course runs for six weeks and you can choose from two options:

·         Cycle 1: Every Tuesday, from April 12-May 17, 12:30-2:00pm EDT

·         Cycle 2: Every Tuesday, from June 7-July 12, 12:30-2:00pm EDT

What does participation involve?  If you choose to participate, you would:

·         Attend an optional 30-45 minute orientation session prior to the start of the course;

·         Attend an interactive weekly online course for 6 weeks; 

·         Complete a series of online questionnaires that take about 25-35 minutes each (before the course, at the end of the course, and 8 weeks after the course is over); 

·         Complete a 5-minutes weekly satisfaction survey after each session;

·         Participate in an optional focus group to discuss your experience after the course is over;

·         Receive an e-gift card at the end of the study for participating.

What are the topics covered? 

Over the six-week course, medical and mental health experts specializing in the care of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities will discuss ways to stay healthy in this phase of the pandemic, including:

·         Keeping it all together: Multiple health conditions, health care communication when working with multiple providers

·         Building healthy lives – Developing healthy routines, keeping them, and adapting them

·         Finding the Balance: Balancing our loved ones’ health needs with our own 

There is no cost to participate in this research. Participation is completely voluntary and will not affect any present or future services provided by CAMH. Any information collected for this study will be confidential.

To participate, complete the Expression of Interest Form here: https://edc.camhx.ca/redcap/surveys/?s=M3D7WREX3THMLDFY 

For more information or support, please contact the CAMH research staff by email hcardd@camh.ca or by phone 437-328-6761. Please see the attached poster for more information.