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:
Upcoming Local Programs
Program Guide — July to September
The Alzheimer Society of Durham Region is Hiring!
#GoBlueForAlz this World Alzheimer’s Day!
CanAge Conversation Series
Education Event: ‘Nothing About us Without Us Creating the First Canadian Charter of Rights for People with Dementia’
Alzheimer Society Online Programs, Workshops & Webinars
University of Toronto Research Survey: Understanding the Consequences of Unpaid Caregiving
Upcoming Local Programs
Living Safely With Dementia Online Forum
Monday, September 21, 2020
In recognition of World Alzheimer's Day
In recognition of World Alzheimer's Day. Relevant to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge about living safely with dementia in the community. Join any or all of the online sessions below:
10 - 10:30 a.m. - Welcome, Living Safely Toolkit, Perspective of a person living with dementia
11:30 a.m - 1 p.m. - Dementia and Going Missing Reduce the risk of getting lost, featuring Dr. Neubauer, followed by MedicAlert Safely Home and DRPS representatives
2 - 3 p.m. - Arts-based activity
3 - 4:30 p.m. - Vivre avec un trouble neurocognitif en toute sécurité (French language panel presentation)
6:30 - 8 p.m. - Keynote with Ron Beleno, Making Choices to Live Better in the Community
No charge | Please pre-register at asdr.eventbrite.ca or phone 905-576-2567 | Toll-free 1-888-301-1106 ext. 5228
Next Steps for Family and Friends series
This four-part, online series offers family care partners an opportunity to learn the basics about dementia in an interactive and supportive atmosphere.
Wednesday, September 9, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., we present our Next Steps Series for Family and Friends: Understanding the Disease.
First in our four-part series, you will receive an overview of the common types of dementia and how the changes can affect the person living with dementia. We will discuss treatment options and Alzheimer Society Durham Region programs and services.
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., we present our Next Steps Series for Family and Friends: Understanding Communication and Behaviour Change. Second in our four-part series, this session offers care partners practical strategies for responding to behaviour change.
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., we present our Next Steps Series for Family and Friends: Supporting Daily Activities.
Third in our four-part series, this session for care partners will consider ways to support a person living with dementia through meaningful activity. This includes adapting leisure activities and responding to challenges with care activities.
Wednesday, September 30, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., we present our Next Steps Series for Family and Friends: Managing Caregiver Stress Positively. Fourth in our four-part series, this session will explore the impact of caregiving. We will discuss coping strategies and local community resources available to support you during the caregiving journey.
Note: you will need Zoom in order to participate. If you need assistance prior to the session, please contact our Public Education Coordinator astephenson@alzheimerdurham.com.
Brain Health
We all have a brain, and learning to take care of it is pretty important. It’s never too early or too late to take action. Tune in to learn how to promote brain health and how lifestyle changes can impact your risk of developing dementia.
When: Wednesday, September 2, 2020 from 10 a.m. 11:30 a.m.
Care Partner Support Group for Those Supporting Residents in Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
This online support group offers a safe forum to learn and understand how to cope more effectively. This group is led by trained and competent staff and specifically focuses on topics that affect those supporting residents in LTC/RH homes. There is no charge to attend our support groups. Each session is limited to 10 participants and will be hosted via Zoom.
When: September 8, 22 from 1:30 p.m. 3 p.m.
Registration required via intake@alzheimerdurham.com or phone 905-576-2567 ext. 5233.
Telephone Care Partner Support Group
An open support group for care partners of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
When: Second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Please call to register: 905-576-2567 ext. 5233 | toll-free 1-888-301-1106 ext. 5233 or contact your family support worker for more information.
A call-in number to be provided upon registration.
Online First Steps Workshop
This introductory workshop is for persons living with dementia and their care partners. Participants will receive information and have an opportunity to share and learn about symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and the impact of receiving the diagnosis. Participants will also be encouraged to explore and build on coping skills and strengths.
When: Friday, September 18, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
No phone calls please. We thank you for your interest in applying to the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region; however, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
#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.
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.
Alzheimer Society Online Programs, Workshops & Webinars
Program: Get Your Groove On
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.
Workshop: Transitions in Dementia Care: Moving to a Long-Term Care Home
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.
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.
Webinar: Supporting Communication
When: Monday, September 28, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
This webinar will focus on providing participants 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 of 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.
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.
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