Get More From Your Doctor’s Visits

Kirstin Veugelers, PhD (biochemistry), empowers patients and their loved-ones through knowledge translation and advocacy, uniquely valuing the patient as a whole complex being, as more than a medical diagnosis. Kirstin personally experienced the frustration of navigating the healthcare system to address her own health issues. To help others avoid similar frustration, Kirstin commits to hearing patients’ health and personal journeys, and to supporting patients and their loved-ones through the information-gathering and decision-making processes, and beyond.

Virtual Gym Webinar

Participation in exercise programs can enhance the physical and mental health of healthy older adults, including persons with dementia. However, programs tailored for dementia clients are scarce and barriers, such as transportation and accessibility, further limit their participation. The purpose of this project is to evaluate the usability of a home Kinect-based system (entitled Virtual Gym), and to determine its effect on perceived physical and mental health of cognitively healthy older adults as well as older adults with mild dementia. Virtual Gym is developed to guide older adults through postures and movements, recognize features of their movement, and provide different types of constructive feedback and motivating rewards when movements are performed well. The study consists of three phases: (1) Piloting usability phase; (2) Piloting usability from a distance phase; (3) Effectiveness phase.

Consumer Tracking Webinar

Three out of five Canadians with dementia wander. The numbers of missing adults who "wandered off" have increased from 2010 to 2014. These are underestimates as not all individuals who went missing were reported. An Alberta study showed that locator devices gave caregivers peace of mind. Yet, consumer information about dementia-related locator technologies varies between products and vendors. This creates challenges for caregivers and health service providers to manage this information when seeking an appropriate technology. An online consumer guideline of commercially available locator technologies was developed to allow: (1) Vendors to describe their products per standardized product descriptions, and (2) Consumers to access this information to review and make purchase decisions.

Understanding Financial Reports

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.