Peel Region also Celebrates First Graduates of Caregiving Essentials Course
BRAMPTON, ON (June 23, 2025) – Peel Region is proud to announce two major milestones in its commitment to supporting family and informal caregivers of seniors: the successful graduation of the first cohort of the Caregiving Essentials course, and a $24,925 grant from the Ontario government’s 2025-26 Seniors Community Grant Program to expand the Social Prescribing for Seniors’ Caregivers initiative, pending final Transfer Payment Agreement.
The Ontario government funding will help scale up Peel Region’s social prescribing program across its five Adult Day Services (ADS) sites. This innovative project takes a preventative, person-centred approach to improving the health and wellbeing of caregivers in Peel Region, many of whom are older adults themselves. Through “social prescriptions,” caregivers are connected to community-based programs, cultural events, recreational activities, and wellness services tailored to their individual priorities and to promote social engagement, mental well-being, and resilience.
Social prescriptions may include outdoor experiences in conservation areas, art and cultural events, yoga and mindfulness sessions, and other wellness-focused activities offered in partnership with local organizations, such as the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, SOHAM Yoga, Brampton Library, Peel Art Gallery Museum + Archives, and the Canadian Opera Company. These activities are offered at no cost to caregivers, removing financial barriers to participation.
Caregiving course developed in partnership with McMaster University Continuing Education
In tandem with this expansion of the social prescribing program, Peel Region also celebrated the first graduating class of the Caregiving Essentials course — an innovative, in-person training program developed in partnership with McMaster University Continuing Education to empower caregivers in their caregiving role and help those they care for age in place.
The graduation ceremony, held at the new Seniors Health and Wellness Village at Peel Manor, honoured the dedication and compassion of 12 caregivers who stepped forward to better support seniors living with dementia and other complex care needs. Each graduate received a framed certificate and was formally recognized for successfully completing the five-week course, earning a McMaster Continuing Education microcredential.
The free 10-hour in-person course offered caregivers the opportunity to:
- Learn to thrive while supporting someone with dementia or complex health conditions
- Build supportive relationships and share lived experiences
- Practice self-care, compassion, and wellness strategies
- Develop practical communication techniques
- Navigate the healthcare system with confidence
- Build a personalized caregiver toolbox
Together, these initiatives align with the Seniors Services Strategic Plan’s focus on delivering person-centred, integrated care and also align with the province’s commitment to addressing the social determinants of health and enhancing caregiver resilience.