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 information@alzheimerdurham.com. 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 905-576-2567 or 1-888-301-1106.
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:
Program Guide — July to September
Activity Boxes — Fun Education Engagement
Upcoming Local Programs
Research Opportunity
Tips for Care Partners: Self-Care
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
Summer Activities to Stimulate Your Brain!
Ways You Can Stay Active at Home
CRA Webinar on Tax and Benefit Information for Seniors
Staying active and engaged while physically distancing can be
hard. That’s why the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region is excited to bring activity boxes to front doors across Durham.
Activity boxes may include (but are not limited to):
Printed games
Art supplies
Small exercise equipment
Deck of cards
Food guide and recipes
Information/resources
This program is for persons living with dementia and/or care partners. *Formal diagnosis not required.* Must reside within Durham Region. To obtain an activity box, please contact our Intake Coordinator at 905-576-2567 ext. 5233 or 1-888-301-1106 or email intake@alzheimerdurham.com.
If you are a health-care provider, you can refer your clients through our First Link referral program. Under “Additional Notes,” please comment “Activity Box.”
Depending on demand there could be a wait of up to two weeks. Quantities are limited.
Upcoming Local Programs
Comfort and Care in Later Stages
This four-part online series, hosted on Zoom, is for family care partners of persons living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Sessions address common care issues in late-stage dementia to help family care partners adapt to changing needs and explore sensitive issues around care and treatment, including recognizing the symptoms of pain.
Sign up for all four workshops or just the sessions you feel are relevant to you. Available online or accessible by phone.
When: Wednesday, August 5, 2020
Time: 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Guest Speaker: Loretta Tanner, Public Education Lead, Alzheimer Society of Durham Region
This session will examine the changes in the person living with late-stage dementia including care approaches and strategies. Topics include cognitive, mood, behaviour and physical changes, adjusting communication, remaining abilities.
Ethical issues in the later stages
When: Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Time: 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Guest Speaker: Frank Wagner, Bioethicist, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
This presentation will help care partners explore sensitive ethical issues around care and treatment in later stages.
Pain Matters
When: Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Time: 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Guest Speaker: Amy Archer, Palliative Pain and Symptom Management Consultant, Palliative Care Consultants Network, Durham Region
Persons living with dementia may be having pain or discomfort yet have difficulty expressing this. Alleviating pain often depends on the observations made by the care partner. This presentation will explain how to recognize the symptoms of pain, allowing the care partner and health-care practitioner to work together for better pain management. Supporting a person at end-of-life can also bring apprehension and challenges. Topics include approaches to pain management, as well as how to support a person at end-of-life.
Supporting Comfort and Care for the Person Living with Late-Stage Dementia in Long-Term Care &mdash perspectives of a nurse practitioner
This study will be conducted via a video call with two researchers from the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and the University of Toronto, who are part of a team lead by Dr. Jennifer Campos.
The interview will last approximately 2 hours and participants will be compensated for their time with a gift card (valued at $50 an hour).
During the interview participants are asked questions about their perceptions on automated vehicles and no previous knowledge or experience with automated vehicles is required (we provide all the information necessary in the interview).
Participation in this study is voluntary and participants can withdraw from the study at any point in time. There are no risks or harms to participating in this study.
If you are interested in participating or you have any questions, you can contact Hodan at hodan.mohamud@uhn.ca or phone 416-597-3422 ext. 7887.
Tips for Care Partners: Self-Care
As our society slowly returns to normal, or rather, adapts to a ‘new normal’, we’d like to gently remind you to continue to pay attention to your wellbeing and health. Self-care is critical for managing anxiety levels. We may not always have much time to dedicate to it, but there are quick and easy techniques that can make a stressful day take a turn for the better.
4-7-8 Measured Breathing
Take a deep breath slowly through your nose and count to 4
Hold your breath and count to 7
Exhale through your mouth and count to 8
Repeat at least 4 times
Belly Breathing
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position
Put one hand on your belly, below your ribs, and put the other hand on your chest
Take a deep breath slowly through your nose and inflate your belly (your chest should not move, only your belly)
Slowly breathe out through your mouth with pursed lips (like you are whistling) and deflate your belly (blow all the air out)
Repeat at least 4 times
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
Photo by United Nations Photo / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
On Sunday, August 9, commemorate the International Day of the World's Indigenous People. This year’s theme is COVID-19 and Indigenous peoples’ resilience. Take the time on this day to recognize the innovative ways Indigenous peoples continue to demonstrate resilience and strength in the face of a pandemic while confronting grave threats to their survival.
The United Nations is holding an online event on Monday, August 10 that will feature a panel discussion on the above topic. To watch and participate in the interactive webinar, click here.
As always, if you are in need or looking for additional resources and fact sheets regarding dementia within the Indigenous Communities, you can visit https://www.i-caare.ca/factsheets for more information.
Summer Activities to Stimulate Your Brain!
Your brain is one of your most vital organs and just like the rest of your body, it needs to be taken care of. Challenging yourself will help keep your brain healthy as you age, so try some of these summer activities to help keep your brain stimulated!
Enjoy the outdoors and create your own bird feeder!
Did you know that learning about bird behaviours and habits is mentally stimulating and helps slow cognitive decline? Making feeders and watching birds helps stimulate your brain and your senses!
This DIY project will bring the birds to you, so you can do some bird watching in the comfort of outside or inside your own home! For tips on how to make your own bird feeder, click here.
Paint a picture with water colours!
Painting is a great way to stimulate your brain as it helps you use your creativity and stimulates different muscles and connections through your movement.
So get some water colours, paper, and some brushes to make for a fun, creative day! If you can, try to go outside and choose your favourite tree or flower to paint. When you're finished, don't forget to put it on display!
Ways You Can Stay Active at Home
It's important to keep your body and brain active, especially during times such as these. Try staying active at home by doing the below activities!
Dancing
Dancing is a fun activity that will get you moving to the groove of your favourite music. It can be done standing or seated, but the important thing is to have fun and get active!
Gentle Exercise Videos
The Eldergym Senior Fitness YouTube channel has many short videos with gentle, at-home exercise routines that are sure to get your endorphins fired up! Check them out here.
Canada Revenue Agency Webinar on Tax and Benefit Information for Seniors
When: Wednesday, August 5, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
You’re invited to join us on Wednesday, August 5, for a special webinar on tax and benefit information, including COVID-19 measures and emergency benefits.
A Canada Revenue Agency Outreach Officer will discuss the following topics during the webinar:
Doing your taxes on time
Common types of income
The GST/HST credit
Common tax credits
COVID-19 measures and emergency benefits
Services and tools
Scam awareness
Community volunteer income tax program
The CRA Outreach program is designed to ensure that Canada’s vulnerable populations receive the benefits and credits they are entitled to. Using a client-centric approach, the objective is to make tax and benefit information more accessible for all Canadians as well as to help raise awareness and educate people on the benefits and credits to which they are entitled.
This workshop discusses ways to reduce the risk of people with dementia from going missing and how to respond to a missing incident as a care partner, professional, or a community member.
Learning Objectives:
Understand some of the reasons why people with dementia may go missing
Identify what to look for and how to help someone who is lost and confused
Review resources available to prepare for and prevent a missing incident
Workshop will be presented online by Zoom. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.
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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