We hope you are staying safe and 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 705-722-1066.
We also invite you to keep checking our website to learn about upcoming online and in-person events and programs. You will also be able to catch up on any newsletters you may have missed.
Happy reading!
Join us on Family Day, Monday, February 21, at Webers Starbucks Rink and skate with Steve McNeil in support of the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County (ASSC)!
ASSC invites and encourages everyone to get on the ice with Steve, local dignitaries, and maybe even a celebrity or two…or feel free to drop by with your donation and to cheer him on.
Thanks to a very generous anonymous donor, every single dollar donated on February 21 at Webers Starbucks Rink will be matched dollar for dollar!
Steve suggests a donation of $19.26, but any amount is genuinely appreciated. All funds raised will stay in Simcoe County to support the programs and services offered by ASSC to the 10,500 people living with dementia in Simcoe County.
In January, due to provincial restrictions, we experienced a disappointing bump in the road to the delivery of in-person services. We recognize that many of you were looking forward to having more face-to-face interactions with one other and the decision to close programs has impacts. It is not a decision we made lightly but one that was taken after careful consideration of the risks and goals of each program. At the time of this writing and as restrictions are lifted, we are pleased to inform you that we have started to plan for in-person programs which will resume in February and March.
We continue to offer programs and services over the phone and online, so please reach out to us for more information at 705-722-1066 or by visiting our website.
Our January - March 2022 Programs Guide is now available. View it here.
Our first-ever Quest for Kindness was a huge success and we have YOU to thank!
Together, thousands of kind-nections were made across Canada, and thanks to the support of Healthing, we were able to stay connected virtually and see our communities light up the Kind-nections Map one act at a time!
Every dollar that was raised is going to make an immediate impact in your community by allowing people living with dementia, their care partners, and their families access the education, counselling, and social recreation programs they need most.
Thank you for choosing kindness for over 500,000 people living with dementia in Canada—a number that will continue to rise.
Thank you again, from the bottom of our hearts. We look forward to seeing you again at next year’s Quest for Kindness!
Based on information collected from the US & UK, did you know that dementia impacts Black communities at higher rates with some studies showing they are two times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia?
This Black History Month, we honour all Black Canadians and those who may be living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. To learn more about the work we’re doing in regards to race and dementia in Canada, please visit our webpage here.
In an attempt to provide more “in-home” engagement for clients during this difficult time, we partnered with the Alzheimer Society of Muskoka, North Simcoe Muskoka Specialized Geriatric Services, and the MacLaren Art Centre in December to create and distribute holiday craft kits to clients. Feedback was positive, with one client sharing: “I just wanted to thank you for the clay ornaments kit. My husband really enjoyed it. It's hard to find something that he sticks with. He came back to this activity until he used everything up. Thank you very much for this wonderful opportunity.”
In January, we partnered again with the Alzheimer Society of Muskoka and North Simcoe Muskoka Specialized Geriatric Services to create and distribute “Confinement Kits” to all local Long-Term Care Homes that are being heavily impacted by the Omicron variant. The kits are meant to provide activities that individuals can do on their own to help them stay engaged during times of reduced staffing and group programs. With this partnership, we will also be looking at expanding our supply of general Activity Kits that are available to clients living in the community or other congregate care settings.
For more information about these partnerships, please contact Laura-Lynn Bourassa at 705-722-1066 ext. 224 or lbourassa@alzheimersociety.ca.
Once again, we are participating in an annual provincial survey to gauge client satisfaction with and impact of Alzheimer Society services. By now, if you are a client, many of you may have received a direct email inviting you to participate in this survey. If you haven’t and wish to participate you can access the survey here. The Survey Deadline is February 16, 2022.
Last year, close to 2,500 care partners and persons living with dementia across Ontario completed the survey and results showed participants overall had a very favourable attitude towards programs, with 97.6% likely to recommend Alzheimer Society services.
SAVE THE DATE! We are in full planning mode for the 2022 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s coming this May! This year we are asking residents of Simcoe County to walk 10,500 steps during the month of May for the 10,500 people in Simcoe County living with dementia. And we are excited to host a day full of entertainment, food, vendors, and of course walking to celebrate on Sunday, May 29, 2022 in partnership with Simcoe County Museum!
More details will be announced as plans come together, so watch our website, Facebook page and Instagram for updates. Registration for the walk opens March 1 on our website.
We are pleased to share another story from one of our incredible volunteers! This month’s account tells us why Frances volunteers with the Society. Read her story here.
What’s your story? If you would like to share how you became a volunteer for the Alzheimer Society, please send an email to mglanfield@alzheimersociety.ca.
It’s that time of year again—tax season. Whether you love it or hate it, the best thing to do is be prepared—especially if you’re a care partner living in Ontario! You may even be eligible to receive tax credits.
Not sure what information you’ll need? Check out our blog series on everything a care partner should know before doing their taxes!
A new survey report from Western University’s BrainsCAN, in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, found programs and services provided by the province’s 27 Societies deliver savings of $1.3 billion for Ontario’s health-care system.
To access the full report and to hear Deb and Bruce’s story, click here.
Please contact us about sponsorship! We want to ensure that every dollar raised, and every donation made at our 2022 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's will be used to support people living with dementia in Simcoe County.
Sponsorship revenue will be used to increase awareness about the event through print, radio and digital advertising and it will supplement costs associated with producing the event.
SPONSORSHIP SUPPORT MEANS WE CAN CONTINUE TO OFFER CRITICAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA IN SIMCOE COUNTY AND CARE PARTNERS FOR FREE.
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.
