- This event has passed.
The Art of Support: Creative Pathways for Caregiving
May 4 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm EDT
$20.00 – $30.00
Join us for our third Vibrant Visions speaker series event!
The Art of Support: Creative Pathways for Caregiving will be an insightful panel discussion on the caregiving experience, the reality of compassion fatigue, where to go to find support, and the power of creative expression to foster meaning, connection and joy.
Are you caring for an aging parent, a spouse with a health condition, a child with special needs or another person in your life?
If so, you’re far from alone: one in four Canadians are currently in a caregiving role, and 50% of Canadians will be in a caregiving role at some point in their lives.
Yet despite the prevalence of caregiving in our society, the experience of caregiving can feel isolating — and nearly half of caregivers report feeling tired, worried or anxious because of their responsibilities.
That’s why the Aboyne Rural Hospice and Elora Centre for the Arts are pleased to present The Art of Support: Creative Pathways for Caregiving.
This insightful discussion — featuring a multidisciplinary panel of experts — will give attendees an opportunity to:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the challenges caregivers face — and how caregiving impacts physical, emotional and mental health
- Explore the critical role caregivers play in our society, and how healthcare providers and communities can better recognize and support their vital work
- Learn about caregiver resources, support networks and tools for self-care
- Discover the power of “legacy projects” and other creative and arts-based activities to bring meaning, joy and connection to both caregivers and those they care for
- Connect with others who understand the caregiving journey — share your experiences, find encouragement and be part of a supportive conversation
Featured Panelists
- Amy Coupal, CEO, Ontario Caregiver Organization
- Trevor Finney, Anglican Priest, Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner, and Registered Psychotherapist
- Shelley Lillie, Registered Nurse, BScN, Certified in Hospice Palliative Care Nursing
- Annie Tobias, President and CEO, Proximity Institute (facilitator)
Space is limited — get your tickets asap!
This event is the third and final installment of Vibrant Visions: Bridging Arts, Community & Wellness, a speaker series that highlights the transformative role of community-based and arts-driven approaches to health and wellness. It is presented collaboratively by Aboyne Rural Hospice and the Elora Centre for the Arts.
All proceeds support the new expansion at the Elora Centre for the Arts and contribute to the creation of Aboyne Rural Hospice, which will bring compassionate end-of-life care to our rural community.
Amy Coupal | CEO, Ontario Caregiver Organization
Amy Coupal is the CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO), a charitable organization that exists to support Ontario’s 4 million caregivers who provide physical and/or emotional support to family members, partners, friends and neighbours. A visionary leader with over 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector, Amy is passionate about mobilizing change through knowledge exchange and collaborations that positively impact the lives of individuals and communities. As a caregiver for most of her life, Amy helped to support her brother who had Cerebral Palsy. She was also a caregiver to her mother throughout her cancer journey and now supports her father through older adulthood.
Trevor Finney | Anglican Priest, Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner, Registered Psychotherapist
Trevor Finney has been a resident of Centre Wellington for the past seven years. He has a keen interest in the intersection of philosophy, theology and psychology, particularly as these overlapping disciplines relate to death and trauma. Trevor is an Anglican priest, Certified Spiritual Care Practitioner (CASC), and Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO). He is the Spiritual Health Team Lead at Michael Garron Hospital in Toronto.
Shelley Lillie | Registered Nurse, BScN, Certified in Hospice Palliative Care Nursing
With a career in nursing for the past 40 years, Shelley has a passion for providing and promoting excellent palliative care for patients and their families/caregivers. For the last 27 years, Shelley worked in Centre and North Wellington as a visiting nurse, and as the UGFHT palliative nurse specialist. She is a member of the Aboyne Rural Hospice Advisory Committee which has been working to bring a residential Hospice to our rural community.
Annie Tobias | President and CEO, Proximity Institute (Facilitator)
Annie Tobias is President and CEO of the Proximity Institute, a charity set up by the Ontario Hospital Association. Proximity is dedicated to leadership development at the most senior levels in Ontario hospitals and works proactively to address one of the most compelling challenges facing the health care system: future ready leadership to tackle the complexity of the sector. A professionally trained and experienced facilitator and broadcast anchor, Annie has taught in the areas of strategy and not-for-profit governance at leading universities, and is a governor emerita and former Vice Chair of Concordia University. She earned a B.A. in history, Mount Holyoke College (Massachusetts) and an MBA from IMD (Switzerland).