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 info@alzheimerjourney.ca. 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 705-748-5131 (Peterborough) or 705-878-0126 (Kawartha Lakes & Haliburton).
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:
Tips for Care Partners - Quick Stress Relieving Techniques
IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s: Plant a Garden of Hope
Webinar: Care Partner Stress and Building Resilience
Online Programs
Fun Online Activities
Community Friends: Seniors for Seniors - A Division of Spectrum Healthcare
Tips for Care Partners - Quick Stress Relieving Techniques
As we continue to navigate our way through these uncertain times, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed, which can lead to feeling more stressed than we are used to. We have put together some ‘sense’ focused techniques to allow you to destress.
SIGHT
Look at a photo or picture that means something to you.
Find beauty in nature, wildlife, your backyard, and flowers.
Close your eyes and picture a place that makes you feel good.
SMELL
Take joy inhaling the scent of fresh coffee or tea.
Put on your favourite perfume or cologne.
Light a scented candle.
Bake a fragrant treat.
TOUCH
Place a blanket or scarf around your shoulders to feel cozy.
Find a texture that makes you feel good and spend time playing with it.
Wear soft clothing.
Give yourself a hand massage.
TASTE
Indulge in your sense of taste by consuming food mindfully and in moderation.
Enjoy healthy crunchy snack like carrots, celery, or nuts.
Sip on a hot beverage.
Cut your food into smaller pieces to help savour the taste.
MOVEMENT
Get going! It doesn’t matter what, but a simple shoulder shimmy or tapping your feet is a good place to start!
Flex and extend your hands and feet.
Put on some music and dance around.
Go for a walk around the house or march on the spot until you feel lighter.
SOUND
Immerse yourself in what you can hear. For example, traffic passing, people talking, the fridge humming.
Listen to your favourite music.
Call or listen to someone whose voice you find soothing.
Chime into the sounds of nature. The sound of the ocean, rainforest, or birds singing. Each offer beautiful imagery too!
IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s: Plant a Garden of Hope
Spring is upon us and so is gardening season! Put a little Spring in your step and show your support for people living with dementia by planting a Garden of Hope!
If you've already registered for the first-ever online IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s and would like to receive a pack of Forget-Me-Not seeds, email your mailing address to us at info@alzheimerjourney.ca and we will send you seeds at no cost!
If you haven’t signed up for the Walk yet, there is still time! Join us as we raise awareness and much-needed funds in support of people living with dementia. Click here to join us. See you on May 31!
Webinar: Care Partner Stress and Building Resilience
On Friday, May 22, join us from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM for the Care Partner Stress and Building Resilience webinar. This webinar will cover different types of coping strategies, increase awareness of the importance of self care and give an overview of available supportive services in the community. Family caregivers related to a person living with dementia are encouraged to attend.
To register, please visit the online learning site at alzeducate.ca.
Online Programs
Zumba
Join us for an hour of Zumba with Dawn online on Friday, May 22, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
Zumbaź Fitness is a Latin-inspired cardio-interval fitness program designed for everybody. Dawn starts each song with a basic step and then layer on options like arms, direction, and complexity. You can follow her either standing or seated, choose the best option for you.
Wear comfortable breathable clothing, low tread sneakers, grab a bottle of water, towel to mop your brow and get ready to boogie!
This program is for people living with Young Onset Dementia (diagnosed before age 65) and their family care partners. Click here to sign up!
For more programs, including education webinars, support groups, and recreational activities, coming up in May, please visit the online calendar here.
Online Program Art Series: Painting What I See
In this ‘Painting What I See’ online arts series, participants will explore thematic collections of photographs as a source of inspiration for their individual painting projects. Each week, facilitator Kathleen Downie will provide participants with a set of images (using a PowerPoint slideshow) that we will discuss and analyze together using elements of design (line, colour, texture, shape and space). Participants will create small drawings, sketches and paintings as a way to collect and share their visual ideas. These will then be used to inform the creation of dynamic, abstract and figurative paintings.
Participants will use available materials at hand such as pencils, pastels, paints, paper, cardboard, string, ribbon, buttons, findings, tape and glue.
When: Thursdays from May 21 to June 4, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
This series is appropriate for learners at all levels. To register, click here.
For more programs, including education webinars, support groups, and recreational activities, coming up in May, please visit the online calendar here.
Fun Online Activities
Scavenger Hunt
(photo courtesy: allstaractivies.com)
The Internet has a treasure trove of engaging and unique activities to do at home during COVID-19. Stay connected with your family and or friends by hosting an online scavenger hunt! We have included a link listing items to be found around the house. The best part about it is you get to be creative and add to it to make it more engaging and personal.
For example, set time limits 30 seconds to find 5 things in the house that have an animal on it. Feel free to give bonus points for the more exotic or entertaining the animal is (a dog in a chicken suit is always worthy of bonus points 😉).
Looking for inspirational and uplifting stories celebrating the best of humanity? Tank’s Good News is dedicated to sharing uplifting stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary deeds for others. It focuses on giving the spotlight to those who have acted selflessly in ensuring the wellbeing of others.
Click here to immerse yourself in feel good stories!
Community Friends: Seniors for Seniors - A Division of Spectrum Healthcare
In this new section we will be highlighting the incredible work being done by our community partners in this time of COVID-19. We invite you to get to know them and learn about the programs and services they are offering.
Canadian owned and operated since 1985, Seniors for Seniors provides companionship and assistance to seniors across Southern Ontario. Their goal is to empower seniors to live independent and fulfilled lives in their own homes through companionship and assistance from other seniors. During these challenging times, Seniors for Seniors continues to adapt their services to help seniors across Ontario feel safe and supported in their homes.
If you are looking for additional peace of mind for yourself or a loved one, these are additional services currently being offered by Seniors for Seniors:
Wellness checkups
Phone companionship
Discussion club
Grocery shopping & delivery
Support with other errands
Please call us at 1.844.339.8638 to book a service.
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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