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 calendar 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? Local events, social recreation programs, webinars, and more!
What’s happening across Ontario? Provincial social recreation programs, webinars, and more!
Something uplifting is coming your way!
Give local and make a connection this upcoming holiday season
Your Input Needed: Aducanumab Drug Review Survey
November is Make a Will Month
Tips for Care Partners: Fall Prevention
What’s happening in Perth County? Local events, 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 currently offered over zoom, and pre-registration with your First Link Counsellor or the group facilitator is required.
Join us on Wednesday, November 24th from 10:00 - 11:30 am for a monthly education group focused on people caring for a loved one in Long Term Care or a Retirement Home. We explore various topics with guest speakers.
Join us for this ongoing further education program, suitable for care partners as well as people living with dementia. For one hour at a time, we will explore different topics of interest in-depth.
Please pre-register for each individual session.
Planning Ahead: November 18th, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
A logistical overview of planning for the future; register here.
Understanding Behaviours: November 25th, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Focusing on understanding and managing responsive behaviours; register here.
First Link Learning Series: First Steps
A 4-week learning opportunity for individuals newly diagnosed with dementia and their care partners. It provides an introduction to dementia, addressing issues including what to expect, adapting to brain changes, and planning ahead through uncertainty.
This program will be offered in person with limited capacity.
Please pre-register by November 2nd with Christy at 519-271-1910 ext. 21 or cbannerman@alzheimerperthcounty.com.
Tuesdays from 10:00 11:30 am, November 9, 16, 23, & 30. This program will be offered via Zoom in person with limited capacity.
This four-week program is designed for caregivers supporting people living with mid-stage dementia. The 2-hour sessions cover topics such as the progression of dementia, communication, responsive behaviours, and accessing supports and services.
Care Essentials will be offered in person with limited capacity; manuals will be provided in advance.
The Alzheimer Society of Perth County Virtual Social Recreation page continues to be updated bi-weekly. Please click here to check out the latest puzzle, recipe, field trip and more!
Food for Thought Meal Delivery Program
A fresh, nutritious lunch delivered to your doors on the following Thursdays between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm. The ASPC has partnered with local restaurants and business across Perth County.
To register for this FREE program, please contact Teresa at 519-271-1910 ext. 33 or tweicker@alzheimerperthcounty.com and she will confirm delivery date, time, and any food sensitivities. Registration required for EACH individual meal delivery. This program will be ending at the end of 2021.
November 18: St. Mary’s (please register by Thursday, November 11) December 2: Tavistock, Shakespeare, Stratford (please register by Thursday, November 25) December 16: Holiday meal (please register by Thursday, December 2)
Virtual Paint Party
Tuesday, November 16 at 10:30 - 12:00 pm
Staying active and socializing are two vital parts of aging well. This 1.5-hour art program was created in partnership with Vanessa at Kind-Hearted Studio to foster creativity and socialization. Virtual Paint Parties run through Zoom, and materials required to participate in this program will be delivered to the homes of registered clients prior to program start.
Please register by Tuesday, November 9 with Pamela at 519-271-1910 at ext. 27 or pbalfour@alzheimerperthcounty.com. Limited spaces are available.
Music for Memories
This program offers a rockin’ music experience to people living with dementia. Upon signing up for this program, clients will receive an easy-to-use music player, a personalized music playlist, and on-going technical support.
What's happening across Ontario? Provincial social recreation programs, webinars, and more!
Virtual Art Talks with Art Gallery Ontario (AGO)
When: TUESDAYS — November 16 and December 21 | 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
The AGO is offering engaging small group virtual art talks to help explore their collection through conversation, exchanging ideas, and observations about the selected artworks.
This 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.
Visit our November Calendar to register for the November 16th session.
Watercolour for Absolute Beginners
When: FRIDAYS — November 5 to December 10 (6 weeks) | 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Learn how to create beautiful watercolours, step by step. Participants will join artist Marjan Verstappen to practice and improve upon a range of simple watercolour techniques. This series is appropriate for learners at all levels and provides opportunities for each participant to learn at their own pace and in their own style. If required, participants will be mailed art supply materials for this course.
This program is in partnership with Neilson Park Creative Centre.
When someone is living with dementia, they can feel disconnected from their community, misunderstood, alone, and like they have nowhere to turn because of the stigma attached to Alzheimer’s disease.
But there is a way to help people living with dementia and their care partners reconnect with their community—by being kind.
This #WorldKindnessDay, on November 13, stay tuned for our special announcement about the KIND of event you won't want to miss.
Give local and make a connection this upcoming holiday season
The importance of supporting local communities, businesses, and charitable initiatives has been amplified throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This upcoming holiday season is no different.
Celebrate the season of giving and be there for your community by making a special, year-end gift to your local Alzheimer Society. With this gift, you will be giving the people living with dementia in Perth County access to the education, counselling, and social recreation programs they rely on most.
And don’t forget! November 30 is Giving Tuesday. There’s no better day to show your support and to be kind.
Your Input Needed: Aducanumab Drug Review Survey
At the Alzheimer Society, we believe that decisions about new dementia drugs need to heed the voices of people with lived experience of dementia. The Alzheimer Society of Canada is helping support an accurate and fulsome aducanumab drug review process in Canada by coordinating and collating feedback from people with lived experience of dementia and caregivers. This ensures a “Nothing about us, without us” approach to dementia drug reviews.
If you live with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment—or care for someone who does—please take our survey and share what your experience has been like with medications used to treat these conditions. Your input will help us ensure that people who live with Alzheimer’s and MCI are fully represented and considered in Canada’s drug review process.
A Will is an extremely important document that protects those you care about, gives you control, and a peace of mind. With the increase of dementia and other brain related disease, it’s crucial that Canadians complete a valid and up-to-date Will and Powers of Attorney for Property and Personal Care.
During Make a Will Month, practice being kind to yourself and those around you by taking the time to complete your Will and Powers of Attorney.
To learn more and to request an estate planner, click here.
Tips for Care Partners: Fall Prevention
It’s National Fall Prevention Month and we want to take this time to highlight important fall prevention tips to remember that will help keep those living with dementia safe, always.
Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults and one-third of those who fall will never return home? If you are caring for someone living with dementia, the importance of fall prevention should not be overlooked.
Here are some tips you can keep in mind to help minimize the risks of falling.
Maintain stability by doing gentle exercises that will improve flexibility, balance, and muscle strength.
Make sure areas are well-illuminated as bright lighting makes it easier to spot potential tripping hazards.
Add a pair of non-slip shoes to your wardrobe instead of just wearing socks.
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.
