Alzheimer Society of TorontoAlzheimer Society - Connexion
August 2020 - Issue 17
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: Self-Care
New Programs — TEACH and CARERS
City of Toronto Caregiver Strategy Focus Groups — New Dates Added
CRA Webinar on Tax and Benefit Information for Seniors
AST Young Leaders Collective
Active Minds Social Club — Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday!
Online Programs and Workshops
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
New Programs — TEACH and CARERS
The Alzheimer Society of Toronto is now able to offer two more of its programs online: TEACH and CARERS (developed by the Reitman Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital). These groups help caregivers to develop specific plans and skills to deal with caregiving challenges.
TEACH covers topics that a lot of caregivers want to know about, like how to find help and plan for the future, and CARERS supports caregivers to develop problem-solving and communication skills to use with the person they are caring for. The first step to accessing these programs is to complete an online assessment with one of our social workers; please contact Project Lead Katie MacLean at 416-985-5752 or kmaclean@alz.to for more information.
City of Toronto Caregiver Strategy More Focus Groups Added for August
We have added additional Caregiver Focus Groups for August with two evening options.
If you are a caregiver, or have been in the past, for someone living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, we invite you to take part in a virtual focus group to provide input and direction in the development of the City of Toronto Caregiver Strategy.
Scott Russell, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Toronto will facilitate a space for you and others to share your lived experiences as a caregiver with particulate emphasis on how COVID-19 has impacted you, what are the challenges you face, and how can the City of Toronto and other community agencies better support you.
Registration is required. Once registered, we will email the Zoom link to participate.
Focus Group Dates (please pick one date to attend)
Tuesday, August 18 — *New Date*
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Click here to sign up.
Thursday, August 20, 2020
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Click here to sign up.
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Click here to sign up.
Monday, August 31 — *New Date*
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Click here to sign up.
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.
A link to access the webinar will be emailed to you closer to the date.
Get Involved with the Young Leader's Collective!
The Alzheimer Society of Toronto is excited to launch The Young Leaders Collective! The Young Leaders Collective (YLC) is founded on the belief that today's young professionals can make a positive impact for people living with dementia and their care partners by bringing together passionate and driven individuals.
Through advocacy and fundraising, you will be changing the lives of those affected by dementia. There are two ways to get involved with the YLC, either at the Member or the Ambassador level.
For more information, visit our web page here. Questions? Reach out to Holly Groeneveld at hgroeneveld@alz.to.
Hurry, applications close on Friday, August 14!
Active Minds Social Club Every Monday and Friday!
The Active Minds Social Club caters to individuals diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia (under the age of 65).
Join in a variety of online recreational activities and social simulation, giving an opportunity for caregivers to enjoy some much needed respite. See below for what’s coming up in the Active Minds Social Club calendar!
Each program is run online through Zoom. Once registered, you will receive the link to participate.
MONDAY - August 10, 17, 24, 31
Meditation and Reflection - 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Music Therapy - 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY *NEW DAY ADDED* - August 5, 12, 19, 26
Art Therapy - 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
FRIDAY - August 7, 14, 21, 28
Friendship Group with Chantel - 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
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.
Our friends at Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region invite you to a Respite Recreation Hour!
AS Niagara invites everyone across Ontario to take part in a virtual variety show! Every Monday at 11:00 AM we will present fun and engaging activities such as:
For more programs, including education webinars, support groups, and recreational activities, coming up in August, please visit the online calendar here.
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.
