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:
Details about COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility
Alzheimer Society of Toronto Achieves CCA Accreditation
What’s happening in Toronto? Local social recreation programs, webinars, and more!
Join the Young Leaders Collective
Thank you, volunteers!
Be a Superhero this National Superhero Day!
Participate in Research Studies Conducted by the University of Waterloo!
Details about COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility
Age and underlying health conditions are among the greatest factors associated with increased risk complications from COVID-19, making people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias more likely to have these risk factors. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to be protected against COVID-19, reduce its impact, and prevent further spread.
Regional Booking Toronto Hospitals & Ontario Health Teams
You can register at www.vaccineto.ca if you belong to one of the following groups:
People who are 80 years of age and older (born in 1941 or before)
Health care workers in the highest and very high priority risk groups
Indigenous adults (16 years of age or older)
Adults receiving chronic home care
You can also contact 1-888-385-1910 with any questions.
Pharmacies
As of Wednesday, March 10, select Toronto pharmacies began offering the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to eligible Ontarians between the ages of 60 and 64 (at the day of vaccination or if you will be 60 to 64 in 2021). To find a participating pharmacy near you, click here and input your postal code. Once you’ve found a pharmacy near you, you must call them to book an appointment.
Home-bound adults (All Ages)
Home-bound clients receiving chronic home care through the Toronto Central LHIN should have received a letter notifying them that they are now eligible for a vaccine, including registration information.
Toronto Central LHIN homebound clients will be receiving their vaccinations in their homes by the Toronto Paramedic Services. Homebound clients that are not receiving chronic homecare through the Toronto Central LHIN are asked to connect with their family physician.
Stay updated on the latest information regarding COVID-19 vaccines by clicking here.
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccination rollout and how it affects people living with dementia and their care partners, please click here.
Alzheimer Society of Toronto Achieves CCA Accreditation
We are very pleased to announce that we have been awarded a four-year accreditation by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation (CCA). We are so proud to be accredited by the CCA which offers a third-party review process that is tailored to community-based organizations.
The hard work, professionalism, and dedication of our staff and Board of Directors are clearly reflected in this significant achievement.
What’s happening in Toronto? Provincial social recreation programs, webinars, and more!
The Active Minds Club
When: Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!
The Active Minds Club caters to individuals living 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 is coming up in the Active Minds Club this April! Each program is run online through Zoom. Once registered, you will receive the link to participate.
MONDAYS - April 5, 12, 19, and 26
10:30 AM to 11:30 PM - Mindfulness and Meditation
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Music Therapy with Dave
WEDNESDAYS - April 7, 14, 21, and 28
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM - Music and History of Songs with Dorothy
FRIDAYS - April 9, 16, 23 and 30
Every Friday, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM - Games and Chats with Chantel
April 9, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM - Art with Melodie *Connect with Chantel at ccosta@schcontario.ca to receive art supplies for this session.
April 16, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM - Music with Emilio
April 23, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM - Yoga and Pilates with Toronto Pan Am Centre
April 30, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM - Zumba with Toronto Pan Am Centre
Please note that there will be no programming on Friday, April 2, 2021 (Good Friday).
Click here to register for the dates of your choice to participate in the virtual Active Minds Club.
Dancing with Parkinson’s
When: Wednesdays - April 7, 14, 21, 28, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
In collaboration with the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, Dancing with Parkinson’s (DWP) hosts specifically curated dance classes for people living with dementia, care partners and families.
This is an engaging, enjoyable and safe weekly dance session on Zoom that is inclusive, accessible and beneficial physically, cognitively and emotionally for all participants.
These classes will be brought to life with concepts of imagery, storytelling, improvisation, mirroring, and repetition with familiar and enjoyable music selections. All classes will be unique and different from one another, but will hold the themes of togetherness, community, and connection at the helm.
All levels of mobility and ability are welcome, and no dance experience is required to take part. Dance with us to get moving, stay connected and engaged while making new friends along the way!
Join us for a special, online Spring Concert featuring award-winning musicians, violinist Luanne Homzy and guitarist Tommy Davy. Together, they will perform a program featuring a mix of folk and classical music. This concert will be held on Zoom.
Click here to register to experience this beautiful concert!
A special thank you to our partnership with Xenia Concerts and the George C. Hunt Family Foundation for sponsoring this event.
Knitting and Friendship
When: SUNDAYS - April 4, 11, 18, and 25, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Bring your needles, hooks and yarn and join like-minded individuals as they work on their latest creations and share an appreciation for fibre art amongst an inclusive and friendly group. Facilitator, Dawn Juruc will encourage participants to “show and tell” the work they are completing!
Participants are asked to bring their own knitting and crocheting materials and work on their current creations while making new friends.
This program is in partnership with Neilson Park Creative Centre and funded by the Ontario Seniors Community Grant Program.
When: Wednesdays - April 14 and 28, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
The Boomers Club focuses on wellness for people with Young-Onset Dementias (under age 65) and their care partners. In this online series, we will be creating informal connections among people who are on the same journey while engaging in a variety of recreational activities including art, games, exercise, food, social chats and more. The program is flexible and can be modified based on the needs and interests of the group participants. Please join our facilitator, Heather!
When: Tuesdays & Thursdays, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM (Tuesday) & 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Thursday)
Join us for Non-Impact Aerobics (NIA) online with Jennifer! Non-Impact Aerobics uses easy to follow movements to build strength and flexibility while conditioning your body. The sessions are adapted and sensitive to all levels of agility and are suitable for individuals who want the support of being seated throughout the class. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear.
This program is offered 2x weekly, on Tuesdays (10:00 - 11:00) and Thursdays (11:00 - 12:00). Please sign up for your days of choice.
When: Tuesdays - April 13, 20, 27 and May 4, from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
The TEACH (Training, Education, and Assistance for Caregiving at Home) program is a Reitman Centre caregiver program which consists of 4 weekly group sessions that are 90 minutes long.
During this workshop, you will focus on common caregiving themes including self-care, healthcare system, navigation, relationship changes and future planning. You will also be given practical communication and coping skills and can share and learn from other care partners.
Registration and an assessment appointment via Zoom are prerequisites. An AST Social Worker will contact you for your assessment.
This webinar will provide 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 session will explore the concept of denial and anosognosia, how it impacts people living with dementia and their care partners, and strategies for assisting families.
During this workshop, you will
Explore the concept of denial and anosognosia
Identify how denial impacts persons with dementia and their care partners
Explore behaviours and strategies for responding
Develop an understanding of supportive services in the community
This workshop is for care partners of a person living with dementia.
The Young Leaders Collective is launching its second term! 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. Interested in learning which membership is right for you? Reach out to Holly Groeneveld at hgroeneveld@alz.to
Hurry, spots are limited!
Thank you, volunteers!
Thousands of people, both young and old, have volunteered their time, their skills, and their compassion to perform awe-inspiring acts of kindness in support of their families, friends, neighbours, and even strangers throughout this past year.
This National Volunteer Week (April 18 to 24), we want to thank volunteers for coming together in any way that you could to work together with your community to help and support people living with dementia and their care partners in any that you could. Thank you!
Be a Superhero this National Superhero Day!
Be a Superhero by completing your Will and Powers of Attorney this National Superhero Day (April 28)!
Did you know by including a charitable gift to the Alzheimer Society in your Will and Powers of Attorney, you can:
Protect those you care about
Protect your hard-earned assets
Gain peace of mind
Save tax (Who doesn’t want to save tax?)
Help save the world from the dark shadow of dementia!
With dementia on the rise, it is staggering that:
Over 70% of Canadians do not have Powers of Attorney for Care and Property
Over 50% of Canadians do not have a Will
Only around 15% of those who do have a Will leave a charitable gift in their estate plans—despite this being an excellent way to save tax.
You have the power to act now! Defeat the dark shadow of dementia by becoming a Superhero this National Superhero Day and completing your Will and Powers of Attorney.
Click here to download our free Superhero Will Planner & Guide. For more information and resources for completing your Will and Power of Attorneys, Click here.
Participate in Research Studies Conducted by the University of Waterloo!
Research Study: Perceptions of the Caregiving Role Among Young-Onset Dementia Adult Child Caregivers
Do you have a parent with young-onset dementia? Are you aged 18 or older? Have you had a caregiving experience within the past 2 years? If so, researchers at the University of Waterloo are conducting a study to better understand the perceptions of adult children who have a parent with young-onset dementia.
If you meet the above criteria and are interested in participating, the University of Waterloo is asking you to share your caregiving experience in an online/telephone interview that will be 45-60 minutes long.
If you would like to learn more about the study or participate, please contact Camryn Berry at the University of Waterloo c3berry@uwaterloo.ca or call (519)-503-2245).
Click photo to enlarge
Exploring the male perspective: The experiences of male spouses of wives who have dementia
The University of Waterloo is looking for male volunteers ages 60+ whose spouse is living with dementia and in the community (in a home, condo, apartment or retirement setting together) to participate in the research project on the male experience of this journey.
As a participant in this study, you will be asked to share your experience in an interview that will take approximately 40-60 minutes through the telephone or online. The questions will be open-ended and will focus on your experiences with your wife’s dementia, how you provide support, and how it has influenced you.
For more information about this study, or to volunteer for this study, please contact Michaella Miller, Student Investigator at 519-580-6769 or email m29mille@uwaterloo.ca.
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.
Our mailing address is:
20 Eglinton Ave. W., 16th floor
Toronto, ON M4R 1K8 write@alz.to
