Alzheimer Society Board Meeting

Common Issues Care Partners Experience

Join us as Dr. Jayna Holyod-Leduc from the University of Calgary and AHS presents on common issues that care partners face when looking after family members with dementia. She will also provide some practical evidence-informed advice and tools to help manage the more stressful or challenging parts of being a care partner.

Late Stage: Growing Seeds of Hope Session 1

A hope therapist will help you understand the importance of hope on your journey as a care partner. Find out how to maintain hope, the importance of self-care, and how to get the help and support you need.

Late Stage: Taking Care of You, Grief and Self Care Session 5

A bereavement counselor will help you understand the grieving process and how to recognize grief. Find out how grief can affect you throughout your journey as a care partner and strategies to get the support you need to take care of yourself.

Late Stage: Maintaining the Connection Session 4

A recreation therapist will give you the ideas to help support a family member who is living in a care facility to ensure the best quality of life.

Canadian Brain Health Food Guide from Baycrest Health Sciences

Baycrest scientists have led the development of the first Canadian Brain Health Food Guide to help adults over 50 preserve their thinking and memory skills as they age. “There is increasing evidence in scientific literature that healthy eating is associated with retention of cognitive function, but there is also a lot of misinformation out there,” says Dr. Carol Greenwood, co-author of the Brain Health Food Guide, senior scientist at Baycrest’s Rotman Research Institute (RRI) and professor emeritus at the University of Toronto. Research has found that dietary patterns similar to those outlined in the Brain Health Food Guide are associated with decreasing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 36 per cent and mild cognitive impairment (a condition likely to develop into Alzheimer’s) by 27 per cent.

Late Stage: Preparing for Changes Ahead Session 3

A physician will explain the changes individuals with dementia are likely to experience in the later stages of the disease so you know what to expect. Life transitions and decision making will also be discussed.

Late Stage: Working with Care Providers Session 2

A facility worker will discuss the role of family and staff when someone moves into a care facility and how to help everyone adjust.

What Matters Most!

Please note this meeting will start at 7pm CDT as it is being hosted from Manitoba. Join us for the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba's live meeting with Heather Ann Dixon, Legal Counsel. She will discuss the importance of having an up to date will, power of attorney and health care directive. She will review why choosing someone you trust and who understands your wishes and values is the most important step when preparing these documents. Responsibilities of a person designated in the legal roles of executor, power of attorney or health care proxy will be also be discussed.

Speak Up! Advocacy Skills for Caregivers

Join us for presenter Norma Kirkby, Program Director, Alzheimer Society of Manitoba will discuss: Roles and responsibilities of caregiver advocates, best ways to communicate concerns, helpful negotiating skills for difficult situations.

Nova Scotia FCES Session 6 – Responding to Changing Care Needs

You will look at changing care needs and resulting caregiving considerations throughout the dementia journey. Criteria for making decisions related to your specific situation will be identified. Community and government resources to support increasing care needs will be discussed with a focus on Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia FCES Session 5 – Understanding Dementia Behaviour

You will learn about different factors than can affect the behaviour of people with dementia. The connection between changes to the brain and behaviour will be highlighted. The meaning behind specific responsive behaviours will be explored. You will learn strategies to respond with patience and compassion to these new and evolving behaviours.

Nova Scotia FCES Session 4 – Care for the Caregiver

The importance of caring for yourself, the caregiver, will be highlighted. Changing roles and responsibilities, and resulting emotions will be discussed. The reality of caregiver stress will be explored. You will identify strategies and community resources to reduce caregiver stress and promote well-being.

Nova Scotia FCES Session 3 – Day to Day Living

You will learn about the philosophy of Person Centered Care. Changes in communication and resulting strategies for adjusting to these changes will be shared. You will look at the effects of dementia on daily living, and strategies which may assist a person with dementia to maintain quality of life.

Depression and Care Partner Burnout

Join us to hear Dr. Hannah Cherniawsky BMSc, MD of the University of Alberta speak on care partner burnout. She is the current leader of the Health Savvy Seniors Initiative. The initiative aims to educate and empower seniors to be active members of their health care team. Then we will have a presentation on depression, this will be given by a second year medical student from the University of Alberta, she is new to the initiative but is excited to be a community advocate for seniors.

Nova Scotia FCES Session 2 – Financial, Legal and Personal Care Planning

You will learn basic information about the importance of financial and legal planning. Strategies for safeguarding vulnerable persons and maximizing financial benefits will be highlighted. Tools and terms for care planning, and legal and financial decision making will be discussed with a focus on Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia FCES Session 1- Overview of Dementia

You will acquire a basic understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Symptoms of dementia and their effects on a person will be discussed. You will learn about risks and warning signs of dementia, and the diagnostic process and treatment options.

Solving Alzheimer's disease: A search for the Holy Grail!

Dr. Jack Jhamandas will speak on current research being done with Alzheimer Disease and related dementia. Dr. Jhamandas is currently a Distinguished University Professor in the Division of Neurology at the University of Alberta. He is a practicing neurologist and neuroscientist whose research interests focus on misfolded proteins in Alzheimer's and prion diseases and aspects of brain control of cardiovascular function.

Early Stage: Planning Ahead Session 4

A lawyer will explain the legal and financial documents you need to get done in the early stage while the person with the disease has capacity to make decisions and make their wishes be known. You will have a chance to examine the barriers that often prevent planning ahead.