Alzheimer Society of Toronto
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Alzheimer Society of Toronto

Weekly eNewsletter: April 13 - 17

Connections That Matter

Hello, Friend!

We hope this newsletter finds you well. Take some time to read through the content and implement some of these tricks into your daily life. If you have feedback or suggestions on content you would like to see, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know at write@alz.to. We would love to hear from you.

During this time, our phone lines remain open. If you need to reach our counselling staff, or have questions about programs and services, please call 416-322-6560.

We also invite you to keep checking the online portal to learn about upcoming online events and programs. You will also be able to catch up on any newsletters you may have missed.

Happy reading!

In this edition:

  1. Tips for Care Partners: Mindfulness
  2. Webinars: Dementia and COVID-19 Strategies for Caregivers & Dementia Online
  3. Online Programs for People with Young Onset Dementia
  4. Zoom Video Tutorials Now Available
  5. Fun Online Activities
  6. Toronto the Good

Tips for Care Partners


Tips for Care Partners

These unprecedented times can be very trying. While we recognize it can be difficult, we encourage you to take a few minutes each day to check in with yourself, recognize your needs, and most importantly, breathe.

Mindfulness is a practice that can help relax and soothe. Follow the tips below from Mindful.org and remember to be good to yourself, too.

  1. Set aside some time. You don’t need a meditation cushion, bench, or any sort of special equipment to access your mindfulness skills—but you do need to set aside some time and space, even if it’s a few minutes a day.
  2. Observe the present moment as it is. The aim of mindfulness is not quieting the mind or attempting to achieve a state of eternal calm. The goal is simple: we’re aiming to pay attention to the present moment, without judgment. Easier said than done, we know.
  3. Let your judgments roll by. When we notice judgments arise during our practice, we can make a mental note of them, and let them pass.
  4. Return to observing the present moment as it is. Our minds often get carried away in thought. That’s why mindfulness is the practice of returning, again and again, to the present moment.
  5. Be kind to your wandering mind. Don’t judge yourself for whatever thoughts crop up, just practice recognizing when your mind has wandered off, and gently bring it back.

Webinars: Dementia and COVID-19 Strategies for Caregivers & Dementia Online

Dementia and COVID-19 Strategies for Caregivers

This webinar will focus on providing caregivers with strategies to providing care while in isolation. It will also highlight important COVID-19 precautions and guidelines along with the implications in caring for someone living with dementia.

Upcoming sessions: April 20 & May 1

Click here to register.

Webinar: Dementia Online

The Alzheimer Society of Durham Region is hosting an online webinar on Wednesday, April 15 at 10 AM. This hour and a half long webinar will help increase your awareness of the technology available to support the dementia journey and increase your digital literacy.

Click here to register.


Online Programs for People with Young Onset Dementia

If you are under the age of 65 and living with dementia, we invite you to join us online Mondays and Fridays! Upcoming sessions include Music Therapy, Gentle Fitness, Zumba, Art Therapy and more.

This program geared towards people living with Young Onset Dementia (under age 65) is in partnership with the Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities and funded by the Central East LHIN.

Sign up here.


Zoom Resources are Now Online!

With many community organizations, including the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, transitioning to online programming delivery on Zoom, there are many questions surrounding this increasingly popular digital platform and how to use it. In partnership with Tech Coaches, we bring you a series of video tutorials and tip sheets on installing and using Zoom on your PC or iPad. If you’re looking for some technical help, click here to get started.


Fun Online Activities

Join the Alzheimer Society of Toronto for an Afternoon of Jazz on April 17

Jazz

Join us for this special live performance on April 17 featuring Laura Swankey (voice and piano) and Andrew Furlong (double bass). Award-winning Canadian vocalist, composer and improviser Laura Swankey is known for her vocal versatility, creativity and open-mindedness and Furlong is known for playing his upright and Fender electric bass in several different groups.

Thanks to our special partnership with Xenia Concerts and the generous support of the Hunt Family Foundation, this concert will be free. Please register here to reserve your spot and to receive the link for the live event.

A Virtual Tour of 32 National Parks

National Parks

At least 32 of the U.S. national parks are available for viewing thanks to Google Earth and Google Arts & Culture, including the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Utah’s National Park (pictured above).

To enjoy this scenic tour from the comfort of your own home, click here!

Try a Tai-Chi for Beginners Class!

Tai-Chi.jpg

The ancient practice of Tai-Chi is known to be one of the most effective exercises to improve health, fitness and relaxation. Tai-Chi consists of fluid, gentle, and relaxed movements suitable for anyone and can be practiced almost anywhere.

Australian physician and Tai-Chi teacher, Dr. Lam will take you through an hour-long Tai-Chi session for beginners. Click here to check it out!

Join the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region for Care Partner Social!

Hosted by a member of the Family Support Staff every Wednesday between 1:00PM and 2:30PM, the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region invites you to attend this gathering for support, an opportunity to share and navigate available resources, and participate in social interaction.

Click here to register.


Toronto The Good: TPL Partners with Food Banks


Food Bank

The Toronto Public Library (TPL) has partnered with the North York Harvest Food Bank, Daily Bread Food Bank and Second Harvest to set up food bank distribution from library branches across the city to provide alternate service locations for existing food banks that are now closed. Since the implementation of measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 transmission, there has been a dramatic decrease in access to food banks, with over a third closing in recent weeks. TPL’s efforts are in support of the City’s broader work on food security for Toronto’s vulnerable residents (Source: TPL).

If you are in need of support, you can read more information, including hours and addresses of the food bank locations, at 311Toronto.ca, as well as the City’s COVID-19 response website here.



Donate Now

People living with Alzheimer’s and dementia are especially vulnerable at this time, if you are able to, please consider supporting the essential services and programs that benefit this community.







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Our mailing address is:
20 Eglinton Ave. W., 16th floor
Toronto, ON M4R 1K8
write@alz.to


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