Our Connections Matter
Alzheimer Society of Toronto

January 2022 - Issue 1

Connections That Matter

Hello, Reader!

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 write@alz.to. 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 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:

  1. What's happening in Toronto? Local events, social recreation programs, webinars, and more!
  2. This Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, let us be your First Link®
  3. The Dementia Friendly Canada Project has launched!
  4. Tips on Creating Resolutions for the New Year!
  5. Survey: Improving Homecare for People living with Dementia in Ontario

What's happening in Toronto? Local events, social recreation programs, webinars, and more!


Alzheimer Society Speaker Series - A Two-Part Event

When: Wednesday, January 19, 2022 (Part 1); Wednesday, February 9, 2022 (Part 2) | 4:00 - 5:30 P.M.

Join us for an exciting two-part speaker series event featuring Dr. Sharon Cohen, Medical Director at the Toronto Memory Program. This two-part event will focus on what’s new in research and the outlook on prevention.

Part 1: What’s New in Research for Alzheimer’s and Non-Alzheimer’s Dementias? An explosion of research in Alzheimer’s disease over the past year has moved the field closer to effective treatments. Progress is also being made in some non-Alzheimer’s dementias, including Parkinson’s disease dementia and Lewy body disease. This presentation will allow individuals to understand the latest research findings as well as current clinical trial options for Alzheimer’s and non-Alzheimer’s dementias.

Part 2: Where Are We Heading in Alzheimer’s Prevention? Preventing Alzheimer’s disease is of major societal importance given the seriousness of the disease along with its high prevalence and cost. This presentation will clarify the role of risk factors, life style strategies, genetic testing, and prevention options through clinical trial participation. We hope to see you there! The Zoom link will be sent to you once you register for the event.

Link to register:
Part 1, Wednesday, January 19, 2022 - click here
Part 2, Wednesday, February 9, 2022 - click here
Contact Arlene Willis at awillis@alz.to to learn more.


CARERS Program for Adult Children

When: Thursdays starting on February 3 to March 24, 2022 | 9:30 - 11:30 AM

This 8-week online program is for adult children of people with mid- to late-stage dementia living in the community. Developed by the Reitman Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital, CARERS is a comprehensive dementia care program that supports problem-solving skill development and introduces the innovative use of standardized patients actors trained to simulate real-life situations so that caregivers, guided by expert clinical coaches, will learn how to address communication challenges.

For more information, contact Katie MacLean at kmaclean@alz.to or to register, click here.


Boomers Club

When: WEDNESDAYS, January 12th and 26th | 4:30 - 5:30 P.M.

The Boomers Club focuses on wellness for people with Early Onset Dementia and their care partners. Join facilitator, Eva from 4:30 - 5:30 P.M. Wednesdays, January 12th and 26th

The Boomers Club is generously supported by Ecclesiastical Insurance.

Links to register: Select the Boomers Club dates of your choice on the AST Calendar

Contact Katie Berkelmans, Recreation and Volunteer Programs Manager, AST kberkelmans@alz.to to learn more.


Virtual Art Talks with Art Gallery Ontario (AGO)

When: TUESDAYS - January 18th, February 15th and March 15th | 2:00 - 3:00 P.M.

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.

Link to register: Select Virtual Art Talks on January 18th on the AST Calendar.

Contact Katie Berkelmans, Recreation and Volunteer Programs Manager, AST kberkelmans@alz.to.


Non-Impact Aerobics (NIA)

When: THURSDAYS - January 6, 13, 20 and 27th | 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

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.

Select your days of choice to register on the AST Calendar


Music with Justis

When: MONDAYS - January 10, 17, 24 and 31st from 2:00 - 3:00 P.M.

Enjoy an hour of popular oldies, provided by Justis, a Music Therapist with Miya Music Therapy.

Click here to register for the dates of your choice.


The Quest for Kindness, Scavenger Hunt

When: Saturday, January 29, 2022 | Drop-in between 10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

The Alzheimer Society of Toronto is excited to officially invite you to our Quest for Kindness in-person scavenger hunt on Saturday, January 29th. Simply complete the scavenger hunt anytime between 10 A.M. 3 P.M. and celebrate your community’s journey along the way!

We can’t wait to explore this socially distanced, accessible, and family-friendly event with you! This non-gathering event will have you exploring the Toronto Underground PATH, at your own pace, to unveil clues and a secret phrase. Our handy Map and volunteers will help guide you along the PATH to discover kind-nection stations. Each station will present a secret word and highlight the amazing kind-nections our community has made! Upon completion of the quest, present your secret phrase for a kind-nections prize pack.

Register here: The Quest for Kindness (alz.to)

For event information, click here: The Quest for Kindness, Scavenger Hunt

For event inquiries, please contact Melinda Good at quest@alz.to.


1926 National Skate Day for Alzheimer’s

Third-party fundraiser, Steve McNeil, laced up his skates for his annual 1926 National Skate Day for Alzheimer’s on December 15th at Nathan Phillips Square. Steve skated for 19 hours, 26 minutes in memory of his mother, Eunice, who lived with Alzheimer’s. If you would like to support Steve, please visit 1926 skate - Donate

To donate, please visit: 1926 skate - Donate.


This Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, let us be your First Link®


At the Alzheimer Society, we continuously strive to educate and support those who suspect that they may have dementia, been recently diagnosed with, or are currently living with dementia. We want to ensure that their needs are met early and throughout their lives living with dementia.

With more than half a million Canadians living with dementia today, a number expected to reach a million in less than 10 years, it is imperative that we educate our society while working to fight the stigma surrounding dementia. It’s also time for care partners to understand they are not alone.

The Alzheimer Society’s First Link® program serves almost a quarter of people with a dementia diagnosis in Canada and we want to see that number grow. This Alzheimer’s Awareness month, we will continue to campaign and motivate those diagnosed with the disease to make the Alzheimer Society their First Link®!

Find out more about what the Alzheimer Society and First Link® can do for people recently diagnosed with dementia by visiting firstlinkontario.ca.


The Dementia Friendly Canada Project has Launched!

We are pleased to share an exciting new initiative from the Dementia-Friendly Canada project!

One of the project’s goals is to train Canada’s workforce to be dementia friendly, and one way we are doing this is by developing free tools and resources in order to give Canadian’s knowledge and confidence when it comes to supporting and including people affected by dementia. We are pleased to announce our Building Dementia-Friendly Communities course.

The course will provide a foundational knowledge of dementia, and outline the considerations that organizations can include in their social and physical environments in order to better support and include people living with dementia. The information is practical and can be applied to people from all levels of the organization from customer-facing staff, to management, and to key decision makers.

The course consists of the following four modules, and are tailored to each of the three sectors:

  • What is a dementia-friendly community? An introduction to the concept and dementia friendly efforts at the community level.
  • Dementia-friendly interactions: Social environment considerations, such as ways you can communicate effectively with someone living with dementia.
  • Dementia-friendly spaces: Physical environment considerations, such as ways you can optimize your space to be dementia-friendly.
  • Dementia-friendly policies, practices and services for organizations: Provides specific scenarios and recommendations.

This training makes it possible for local individuals, businesses, and organizations to make a real and important difference for the people affected by dementia that they interact with on a daily basis. To register for the course, click here.

If you have questions about these courses or the Dementia-Friendly Canada project please contact Heather Cowie, National Project Manager at hcowie@alzheimerbc.org.



Tips on Creating Resolutions for the New Year!

Start the new year off right by creating resolutions for 2022! It’s the perfect opportunity whether you’re a person living with dementia, a care partner, or a family member to help you learn, grown and enrich your life in a positive way.

If you’re a person living with dementia, we have put together a few resolutions that you can adopt for 2022 that could help you stay happy, healthy, and fulfilled throughout the year.

  1. Keep physically and mentally active. Take up a new hobby like drawing, puzzles, or even simple exercises and stretching once a day.
  2. Reflect on your days by keeping a diary or journal that will help you recount the events of the day and how you were feeling.
  3. Stay social! Set up a weekly or monthly phone call with friends and family to stay engaged.

If these don’t work for you, try to create your own! Do whatever is most important to you.


Survey: Improving Homecare for People living with Dementia in Ontario

Participate in an online survey for a chance to win a $25 gift card!

Eligible participants (Ontario only):

  • People living with mild to moderate dementia receiving homecare.
  • Loved ones of people living with dementia receiving homecare.
  • Professional homecare providers (including PSWs, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation therapists).

To view the full flyer, click here.

To take the survey, click here.

If you have any questions, please email evan.foster@mail.utoronto.ca or call 647-933-1330.



Donate Now

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.









Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram Follow us on YouTube

Our mailing address is:
20 Eglinton Ave. W., 16th floor
Toronto, ON M4R 1K8
write@alz.to


This email was sent to
Update subscription preferences


If someone forwarded you this email, then you can subscribe here:

Subscribe