Alzheimer Society of TorontoAlzheimer Society - Connexion
September 2020 - Issue 18
Hello, Friend!
We hope this newsletter finds you well.
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:
#GoBlueForAlz this World Alzheimer’s Day!
Join AST for our very first Social with a Purpose - Trivia Edition!
Wind Down and Enjoy a Concert from the Comfort of your Home
Caregiver Strategy Focus Group - More Dates Added
CanAge Conversation Series
Education Event: ‘Nothing About us Without Us Creating the First Canadian Charter of Rights for People with Dementia’ September 25
AST Online Programs and Workshops
AST Webinars
Get Active for Alzheimer’s!
University of Toronto Research Survey: Understanding the Consequences of Unpaid Caregiving
#GoBlueForAlz this World Alzheimer’s Day!
September marks the beginning of World Alzheimer’s Month! To show your support leading up to World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21 and all month long, join us, and many other organizations and communities, to help raise awareness for people living with dementia.
We’re encouraging people like YOU to #GoBlueForAlz leading up to World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21. How can you participate? It's simple! Wear something blue, make a difference by hosting a Social with a Purpose and fundraising to support people living with dementia and crucial social recreation programs, or share with us on social media using #GoBlueForAlz to show your support!
You may even see some memorable landmarks #GoBlueForAlz in support of World Alzheimer’s Day! Some landmarks that will #GoBlueForAlz include:
The CN Tower
On September 21, look at the Toronto skyline to watch the beautiful night light show that will be displayed as the CN Tower shows their support and raises awareness for people living with dementia, their care partners and families. You can also watch the CN Tower #GoBlueForAlz LIVE online here.
The Toronto Sign
On September 21, the Toronto Sign located at Nathan Philips Square in Toronto will also #GoBlueForAlz! If you happen to be in the area, make sure to take some photos and share them on social media using the hashtag #GoBlueForAlz and tag us!
Niagara Falls
While you may not be able to go see the Falls light up in person, you can watch the light show LIVE from the comfort of your own home. On September 20 at 10 PM, settle in and watch the Falls glow here.
*Please note that the Niagara Falls Illumination Board, along with the Alzheimer Society, requests that all physical visitors to Niagara Falls and the park follow all public health guidelines.
And more!
Thank you for helping us raise awareness during World Alzheimer's Month and on World Alzheimer's Day.
Join AST for our very first Social with a Purpose - Trivia Edition!
To kick off our Social with a Purpose campaign, the Alzheimer Society of Toronto is hosting our very first Social with a Purpose - Trivia Edition!
Event Details:
September 22 at 6:30 PM: Movie and General Knowledge
Can’t attend but still want to support? Click here to donate. Your donation will help us continue to provide virtual social and recreational programming which helps alleviate the feelings of loneliness and isolation felt by people living with dementia and their care partners.
About Social with a Purpose
Social with a Purpose (formerly known as Coffee Break), is our NEW DIY fundraiser. Use Social with a Purpose as an excuse to get together and connect with your friends, family, and community members! From online card games, spicing up your Zoom meetings with a game of BINGO, or creating your own way to virtually get together, you can support people living with dementia by turning your virtual social gathering into a fundraiser!
To find out more about how to register your Social with a Purpose or check out our downloadable event kits, please click here!
Questions? Please reach out to Holly Groeneveld, Special Events Coordinator at hgroeneveld@alz.to.
Wind Down and Enjoy a Concert from the Comfort of your Home
While the pandemic may have put a hold on many events in the music industry, Re:Sound, a Canadian not-for-profit music licensing company, put together a spectacular virtual benefit concert which premiered earlier this summer and raised $9,540 for the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. The funds will help the Alzheimer Society Music Project in providing personalized MP3 players to an additional 100 individuals living with dementia.
The full concert can be viewed on YouTube at this link.
City of Toronto Caregiver Strategy Focus Group - More Dates Added
Thank you to those who have joined us so far for the Caregiver Strategy Focus Groups.
If you are a caregiver and would like to make your voice heard on issues that affect you and the person you’re caring for, we invite you to join us at our focus groups:
Monday, September 14 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM Click here to sign up.
Wednesday, September 30 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Click here to sign up.
Tuesday, October 6 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM Click here to sign up.
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 particular emphasis on how COVID-19 has impacted you, the challenges you face, and how the City of Toronto and other community agencies can better support you. The feedback collected during the focus group will provide input and direction in the development of the City of Toronto Caregiver Strategy.
Registration is required. Once registered, we will email the Zoom link to participate.
CanAge Conversations Series
CanAge Conversations #1 with Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge, debuted on July 28 with a vital live webinar, "Setting the Stage for Advocacy in Long-Term Care and Beyond for People With Dementia", the first in a series of Advocacy focused sessions.
Cathy Barrick, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Ontario and CanAge Fellow, joined a panel of industry experts to discuss issues of advocacy.
Education Event: Nothing About us Without Us Creating the First Canadian Charter of Rights for People with Dementia
Join us on Friday, September 25 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM as the University Health Network Memory Clinic, Alzheimer Society of Canada, and Alzheimer Society of Toronto present, ‘Nothing About us Without Us: Creating the First Canadian Charter of Rights for People with Dementia’.
This event will:
Discuss the importance of a rights-based approach to dementia
Discuss the first Canadian Charter of Rights for People with Dementia and discuss ideas for how to use it
Provide an overview of programs and services provided by the Alzheimer Society of Toronto.
Speaking at this event will be Roger Marple, ASC Advisory Group Co-Chair, Riley Malvern, Alzheimer Society of Canada, and Shrid Dhungel, Alzheimer Society of Toronto.
Transitions in Dementia Care: Moving to a Long-Term Care Home ONLINE
When: Friday, September 11, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
The goal of this workshop is to provide information and support to care partners who are making the decision to move to a long-term care home and how that decision could have an impact on them, and ways to cope with the transition.
This online workshop is for family care partners related to a person living with dementia.
Learning Objectives
Review and discuss the dilemma of making the decision
Learn about possible issues and decisions related to long-term care placement and caregiving options
Learn strategies to prepare for the move into LTC
Learn about community services and supports
Workshop is presented online using Zoom. Once registered you will receive a link to participate in the workshop.
When: Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Join Jennifer as she leads you through an exciting gentle fitness virtual class! Take part in rhythmic exercises that stimulate circulation and improves mental and physical health all from the comfort of our chairs.
Webinar: Care Partner Stress and Building Resilience
When: Tuesday, September 8, 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Explore types of coping strategies, increase awareness of the importance of self-care and learn about supportive services.
This webinar is geared towards family care partners related to a person living with dementia.
To register, please visit the online learning site at www.alzeducate.ca.
Supporting Communication
When:Monday, September 28, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
This webinar will focus on providing participants with the knowledge of how communication can change over the course of the disease and ways to supportively communicate with a person living with dementia.
This webinar will:
Increase your understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Recognize the impact Alzheimer’s disease and dementia has on communication
Develop strategies to improve communication
Use your computer and internet connection to participate in a live presentation.
To register, please visit the online learning site at www.alzeducate.ca.
Get Active for Alzheimer’s!
We are challenging YOU to do something active this fall to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, as well as raise important funds for those who need our support, now more than ever. Whether you want to support the Alzheimer Society of Toronto through the virtual Constantine Yorkville Run, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon or do your own thing to Get Active for Alz!
We’ve got you covered! Whatever you do, our fundraising team will support you along the way!
Are you ready to Get Active for Alzheimer’s?! For more information, click here.
Questions? Please connect with our Special Events Coordinator, Holly Groeneveld at 416-640-6315 or hgroeneveld@alz.to.
University of Toronto Survey: Out-of-Pocket Costs and Consequences of Unpaid Caregiving in Ontario
You’re invited to participate in a research survey on the consequences of unpaid caregiving. The survey is organized by the Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation at the University of Toronto.
The purpose of this survey is to understand the out-of-pocket costs of unpaid caregiving, and the related consequences on caregiver income, employment/productivity, and health. Out-of-pocket costs are care-related expenses that are not reimbursed (or paid) by any private insurance plans or covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). This survey also seeks to understand how COVID-19 has impacted caregiving expenses, income, employment, and health.
Participants will be asked general questions about their income sources and rough estimates of care expenses from the past three (3) months. Given the potentially sensitive subject matter, all questions are optional.
Participants will benefit in knowing that findings from this survey will be published and publicly available. Results could be used by researchers and public policymakers to inform policies to protect unpaid caregivers from any financial risks of caring.
To be eligible to participate, you must:
Be an unpaid caregiver providing home care/support on a fully voluntary basis for one or more individuals (e.g. family members, friends or neighbours) with a long-term (over 3 months) physical and/or mental health condition or age-related decline.
Be living in Ontario
Be 16 years of age or older
To learn more, or sign up to take part in the survey, please click 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.
