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 519-271-1910.
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:
What’s happening in Perth County? Provincial social recreation programs, webinars, and more!
What’s happening across Ontario? Provincial social recreation programs, webinars, and more!
You could win over $4,000 with Catch the Ace!
Purchase your ticket to Humanity in Music - A Nationwide Virtual Fundraising Music Event!
Summer Activities to Stimulate Your Brain!
Join us for the August Tuesday Lecture Summer Series!
What’s happening in Perth County? Provincial social recreation programs, webinars, and more!
Caregiver Support Groups
Caregiver support groups are an opportunity to connect with other caregivers, enhance your understanding of dementia, and develop practical strategies for supporting a person living with dementia. Groups are ongoing and are currently being offered via Zoom using both telephone and online access. Current & New Registered Caregivers are welcome. Registration is required by contacting the group facilitator as noted below. If you have any questions about attending a Caregiver Support Group, please contact the group facilitator or your assigned First Link Counsellor at 519-271-1910 or 1-888-797-1882.
Join us on Wednesday, August 25 from 10:00 ‐ 11:30 am for a support group focused on people caring for a loved one in Long Term Care & Retirement Homes. We will explore various topics with guest speakers. Register with Emilia at ext. 25 or at eklassen@alzheimerperthcounty.com.
Educational Programming
Taking Control Of Our Lives ™ for Persons Living with Dementia.
Taking Control of Our Lives™ is an 8 week group education program focused on empowering and supporting people living with dementia and their care partners. This program helps participants to develop and/or strengthen and adapt the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to play an active role in living well with dementia.
Taking Control of Our Lives™ is designed to have a positive impact on participants’ ability to: make strong connections, feel valued, stand up to stigma, feel connected, and have more confidence.
Taking Control of Our Lives™ is for people living with early stage dementia who are willing to communicate about their experiences and insights. If you are interested in taking part in this program using Zoom, or would like additional information about your eligibility, please contact facilitators Christy at ext. 21 or by email cbannerman@alzheimerperthcounty.com or Shelley at ext. 26. or by email sobermayer@alzheimerperthcounty.com. Minimum numbers are required to offer this program in the coming months.
Social Recreation Programming
The Alzheimer Society of Perth County Virtual Social Recreation page can be found here.
Activities are being regularly updated in order to help keep individuals living with dementia and their caregivers engaged through these times of social and physical distancing. Check out the many resources at your leisure.
Food for thought
A fresh, nutritious lunch is delivered to your doors by one of the Alzheimer Society staff or volunteers on the following Thursdays between 11:30-1:00 pm. The Alzheimer Society of Perth County has partnered with The Local Community Food Centre in Stratford, as well as other independent restaurants and catering businesses across Perth County. To register for this FREE program, please contact Teresa at 519-271-1910 ext. 33 tweicker@alzheimerperthcounty.com and she will confirm delivery date, time, and any food sensitivities.
Registration is required for EACH meal delivery.
- August 12 North Perth (please register by Thursday, August 5)
- August 26 Mitchell, Sebringville, Stratford (please register by Thursday, August 19)
Virtual Seated Yoga
The Yoga Chapple incorporates mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing in all their classes. They design each class with their clients in mind and teach for who is in the class or online. The believe that community is a huge aspect to any business, with communication and acceptance as their number one priority. Their motto: KINDNESS is power. Join us for this opportunity to engage yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally Thursday, August 19th at 10:30 am. Registration is required as spaces are limited. Please do so by calling Pamela at 519-271-1910 ext. 27 or by email pbalfour@alzheimerperthcounty.com.
Virtual Paint Party
Staying active and socialization are two vital part of aging well. The Alzheimer Society of Perth County in partnership with Vanessa at Kind-Hearted Studio has created a Virtual Paint Party, a program for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and their care partners. The program encourages participants to be creative and social. This program runs for 1.5 hours virtually through Zoom. Materials required to participate in this program will be delivered to the homes of registered clients prior to program start. Advanced registration is required by calling Pamela at 519-271-1910 at ext. 27 or by email pbalfour@alzheimerperthcounty.com. Limited spaces are available for Tuesday, August 24 at 10:30 am.
SongSpark
‘SongSpark’ is a musical program funded by Talk is Free Theatre in Barrie, Ontario (Artistic Producer, Arkady Spivak). It is performed, at no cost to audiences, by Glynis Ranney. Glynis has worked across Canada as a professional singer and actor for over 30 years. She has a passion for engaging seniors with the power of music and words. The program will be a 40 minute Zoom concert, and is meant for audiences of any size - for a seniors’ residence, or an audience of one. Songs from The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Singing in the Rain, as well as singalongs to You Are My Sunshine and Amazing Grace will be included in the program. As well, Glynis will recite William Wordsworth’s classic poem, The Daffodils.
It is her hope that the program may bring a smile, or moments of comfort to audiences. Please contact Glynis to set up a Zoom concert at a time that is convenient. Her email address is: myrtlelamb@gmail.com.
Thank you!
We want to take this time to thank everyone for their support with our annual IG Wealth Management Walk. Together with your support we raised $42,919! This money raised will continue to support social recreation programs for the 1581 people in Perth County that are living with dementia.
What’s happening across Ontario? Provincial social recreation programs, webinars, and more!
Webinar: Long-Distance Caregiving
When: Monday, August 9 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Explore some of the unique challenges and issues that can arise when caring from a distance, as well as identify the different ways caregivers can provide support and be involved in the person’s life.
Zoom Workshop: Coping with Death and Grief for Care Partners
When: Monday, August 30 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Losing someone who had dementia can be a unique and complex experience for those who cared for them. This presentation will explore these issues, identify various approaches to grief, and suggest ways for care partners to cope with loss.
Virtual Art Talks with the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
When: Monthly on Tuesdays - Beginning August 17 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
The AGO is offering engaging, small group virtual art talks helping to explore their collection through conversation, exchanging ideas and observations about the selected artworks.
This is a one-hour virtual art talk hosted on Zoom. The program is designed for people living with dementia and their caregivers. The art talk is facilitated by an experienced AGO Art Educator and is supported by Alzheimer Society of Toronto’s volunteers.
The Jackpot is now over $4,000 and the Ace of Spades is still hiding! This could be the week YOU find the Ace and win it all—but you only get the chance if you have a ticket.
Ticket sales start at only $10 for a chance to win more than $4,000 if you catch the Ace and even if you don’t catch the Ace and your card is pulled, you’ll win 20% of the Jackpot!
50% of all ticket sales are going to support the Alzheimer Society, so visit catchtheace4alz.ca to buy your tickets and pick an envelope today!
The deadline to purchase your tickets is 6 PM every Thursday before the draw at 6:30 PM.
Purchase your ticket to Humanity in Music - A Nationwide Virtual Fundraising Music Event
This World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21 at 6:00 PM, Humanity in Music will commemorate those living with dementia, their caregivers, their families, and their journey with a special online concert featuring Canadian music and artists!
Every ticket that is sold will help raise awareness and support for your local Alzheimer Society and benefit those who are impacted by dementia across Canada.
Purchase a ticket for yourself and invite your friends, co-workers, loved ones, and more, to join in on what will be a beautiful concert experience in support of a great cause! When you purchase a ticket, you will also receive a free download of Jasmin Uglow’s song, Remember Me—a Jazz and blues song that tells the story of Alzheimer’s and dementia from a musician and caregiver’s perspective.
All ticket proceeds will support your local Alzheimer Society.
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.
Join us for the August Tuesday Lecture Summer Series!
The Alzheimer Society of Brant, Haldimand Norfolk, Hamilton Halton (BHNHH) is continuing their Tuesday Lecture Summer Series this August!
Starting on August 3, you can join the Alzheimer Society of BHNHH and attend the following lectures. . .
Driving and Dementia - Points to Consider
When: Tuesday, August 3, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Receiving a dementia diagnosis can be overwhelming and confusing for everyone involved. Driving may be one discussion point that can be difficult for families to broach. In this lecture, we’ll review how dementia impacts driving skills and tools that families can use to have this discussion.
In this session, we’ll discuss Lewy body dementia. This class is designed for family, friends, and professionals to learn more about Lewy body dementia, and we will discuss what it is, the symptoms, how a diagnosis is made, medications, and more.
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.
