Alzheimer Society of TorontoAlzheimer Society - Connexion
Weekly eNewsletter: Issue 13
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:
Tips for Care Partners: Journaling
Webinar: Family Dynamics and Dementia
Alzheimer Society Online Programs
Fun Online Activities
Community Friends: Senior Helpers Toronto
Tips for Care Partners: Journaling
Thoughts can affect our mood and influence our actions. Keeping a positive outlook on life is important, but it’s not always easy to think on the bright side. Mostly, our thoughts are healthy and positive, but if you find that you circle back to negative thinking that is hindering your daily life, it may be helpful to take pen to paper to help you process your thinking pattern.
Journaling is a proven method that can help to improve your mood, alleviate stress, depression and anxiety, and can even boost the immune system. If it’s your first time journaling, we have some tips for you to get started.
Find Your Platform
Use a platform that you feel the most comfortable with whether it’s a traditional notebook, post-it notes, or an electronic journal. If you are using paper, we suggest using a special pen to really make the journal your own!
Commit
Once we commit to the intention of sitting to write daily, it paves the way for your mind to begin the process of downloading your thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
Memories
Keeping a journal is a great way to preserve precious memories and serves as a point of reference to reflect if you’re having a bad day.
Clarity
Transferring thoughts to paper can help us reorganize our mind and see life clearer.
Webinar: Family Dynamics and Dementia
When: Monday, June 15 - 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
This webinar is for care partners of individuals living with dementia. The focus of the session will be on exploring significant sources of conflict for families dealing with dementia and strategies for assisting families, building on strengths and resilience.
This workshop is designed for care partners of individuals living with dementia in mid-to-late stages. Together we will explore the concept of ambiguous loss, develop coping strategies and gaining understanding of feelings of grief when caring for a person with dementia.
Learning Objectives
Describe the concept of Ambiguous Loss
Recognize the uniqueness and complexity of Ambiguous Loss
Explore concepts for learning to live with Ambiguous Loss
Develop an understanding of supportive services in the community
Click here to sign up and receive the link to participate.
Active Minds Social Club
If you have been diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia (under the age of 65), we invite you to join us Mondays and Fridays to connect with others and take part in fun, engaging activities! Upcoming sessions include Music Therapy, Gentle Fitness, Zumba, Art Therapy and more.
See the calendar of activities coming up and register here.
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.
Answers: 1) Squirrel in tree; 2) Dots on hill next to tree; 3) Top of fire hydrant; 4) Water dripping from fire hydrant; 5) Mans collar; 6) Rock on ground; 7) Birds in sky; 8) Number of trees; 9) Teeth on dog; 10) Colour of tip of dogs tail.
Find the Hidden Objects
Set a timer and challenge your friends and family to see who can find all the items in the image below the fastest!
A group of Calgary high school students have launched a free, positive message hotline for seniors in self-isolation.
The Joy4All project offers a free telephone line and a friendly voice on the other end to help lift spirits in what may be a lonely time during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hotline is available by calling 1-877-JOY-4ALL and offers pre-recorded jokes, stories, motivational passages, and poems.
Community Friends: Seniors Helpers Toronto
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.
The Senior Helpers Toronto team has been working diligently to provide continued care to each and every client with minimal to no disruption of service during these unprecedented times. They have introduced new pre-shift screening measures and health tracking for employees and clients as well as ensuring that proper PPE remains available and delivered to every employee/household. They have continued assessments and recruitment procedures via phone, skype and zoom. Their staff have been helping their clients work through feelings of isolation and loneliness by completing daily and weekly check ins, providing games and activities for clients and workers to utilize together and doing their best to keep clients connected with their families using technologies.
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.
