The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County provides support for everyone impacted by dementia.

Thank you for your amazing support on Giving Tuesday!

We were overwhelmed today by how our community and supporters stood with us on Giving Tuesday (December 2)!

Our goal was to raise $25,000 to make the most of our generous matching funds. We reached and surpassed that goal! Our total raised is $60,775.88 (including matching funds)!

Your generosity will directly fund our programs and allow us to continue to support the thousands of families across Ottawa and Renfrew County who are living with dementia.

Just as impressive are those who stepped forward to accept our Giving Tuesday Challenge by creating videos of how they’re helping to build a dementia-friendly community.

Visit our Giving Tuesday page to watch those videos.

Support That is Here for You

If dementia is touching your life,
accessing support, education and tailored activities will bring you hope.

I am a caregiver, friend or family member of someone living with dementia.

I am living with young onset dementia.

I am living with dementia.

I want to learn about brain health.

Support People Facing Dementia—It’s Not Too Late!

The Government of Canada has announced an extension of the charitable donation deadline for the 2024 tax year to February 28, 2025.

Your donation today helps provide vital programs and services for people in our community living with dementia.

Learn, Discover and Participate

Explore our Programs, Activities and Services

Change the Story

Learn how The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County change the story.

Awareness and Inclusion

This project focused on reducing the stigma associated with dementia and improving the quality of life for all people affected by dementia.

Case for Support

With the increased demand for services comes the cost of delivering them.

Do people living with dementia feel welcome where you work?

Make sure the do. Take our Dementia Inclusive Training.

Current & Upcoming Programs

Activities, Support & Services

Video

Musical Connection with Chris White – Video

This program provides an opportunity for people living with dementia and their friends and family to experience a live, virtual musical performance.

Activities, Support & Services

Video

Musical Connections with JSO Choir – Video

Experience the joy and the power of music. Joyful Sound Ottawa is an intergenerational community choir for people with memory loss, their caregivers, and friends. Participants will form a choir and sing along with their peers resulting in a performance at the end of the series.

Activities, Support & Services

Video

Arts and Minds – Spark Video

Arts and Minds series is an opportunity for people living with dementia and their partner to explore and experience art. This program allows participants to share their insights, enjoy and discuss artworks in the National Art Gallery.

Activities, Support & Services

Video

Musical Connection – Living Room Live Concert Series

Living Room Live Concert Series is a monthly program hosted in partnership with Carefor that features local musicians performing a 45 minute virtual concert.

Activities, Support & Services

Video

Musical Connections with JSO Choir – The Night They Invented Champagne – Video

Experience the joy and the power of music. Joyful Sound Ottawa is an intergenerational community choir for people with memory loss, their caregivers, and friends. Participants will form a choir and sing along with their peers resulting in a performance at the end of the series.

Support Group

Renfrew Coffee Club

Our caregiver peer support groups provide a safe environment to learn, share, express and help each other through mutual understanding and support. These groups are co-facilitated by an individual with lived experience with dementia, and a trained Dementia Society Care Coach. Experience a compassionate environment and receive up-to-date, accurate information.

Activities, Support & Services

Support Group

Music to Memories: Ottawa Valley Dementia Choir

Activities, Support & Services

Support Group

Eganville Memory Café

Our peer support groups provide a safe environment to learn, share, express and help each other through mutual understanding and support. These groups are co-facilitated by an individual with lived experience with dementia, and a trained Dementia Society Care Coach. Experience a compassionate environment and receive up-to-date, accurate information.

Support Group

Marianhill Caregiver Support Group in Pembroke

Our caregiver peer support groups provide a safe environment to learn, share, express and help each other through mutual understanding and support. These groups are co-facilitated by an individual with lived experience with dementia, and a trained Dementia Society Care Coach. Experience a compassionate environment and receive up-to-date, accurate information.

Activities, Support & Services

Support Group

Arnprior Coffee Club

Our caregiver peer support groups provide a safe environment to learn, share, express and help each other through mutual understanding and support. These groups are co-facilitated by an individual with lived experience with dementia, and a trained Dementia Society Care Coach. Experience a compassionate environment and receive up-to-date, accurate information.

Activities, Support & Services

Support Group

Virtual Caregiver Support Group – Tuesday

Our caregiver peer support groups provide a safe environment to learn, share, express and help each other through mutual understanding and support. These groups are co-facilitated by an individual with lived experience with dementia, and a trained Dementia Society Care Coach. Experience a compassionate environment and receive up-to-date, accurate information.

Activities, Support & Services

Support Group

Virtual Caregiver Support Group – Wednesday

Our caregiver peer support groups provide a safe environment to learn, share, express and help each other through mutual understanding and support. These groups are co-facilitated by an individual with lived experience with dementia, and a trained Dementia Society Care Coach. Experience a compassionate environment and receive up-to-date, accurate information.

Support Group

Virtual Caregiver Support Group – Thursday

Our caregiver peer support groups provide a safe environment to learn, share, express and help each other through mutual understanding and support. These groups are co-facilitated by an individual with lived experience with dementia, and a trained Dementia Society Care Coach. Experience a compassionate environment and receive up-to-date, accurate information.

Activities, Support & Services

Support Service

Project Lifesaver

Project Lifesaver combines radio technology with coordinated police response to locate wandering and disoriented people due to cognitive issues like dementia. With an average rescue time of 30 minutes, Project Lifesaver can reduce the potential for injury and save lives.

Dementia Education

Video

Dementia Basics – Video Series

Learn from local and leading experts about the science of dementia, research, associated behaviours of dementia, caregiving and community resources. This series is informed by the latest evidence-based research and practices.

Dementia Education

Video

Dementia Inclusive Training – Video

Many people impacted by dementia find themselves isolated due to the stigma of the illness, whether they are a person living with a diagnosis or a caregiver. Dementia Inclusive Training is a one-hour in-person, on-site or online training module that sensitizes business and service providers and individuals to the needs of people living with dementia and their caregivers. Learn strategies for approaching and communicating with a person living with dementia, and gain perspective on environmental considerations to optimize your place of business for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Dementia Education

Video

Dementia Warning Signs – Video

Learn to spot the signs of dementia and how these differ from normal aging and where to turn if you have concerns.

Dementia Education

Video

Dementia Inclusive Communities – Video

Dementia can be highly isolating for a person living with this illness and for the people caring for them. Get practical tips to help make our community more welcoming and inclusive for people impacted by dementia.

My Dementia Story

Clicking Memories with Buttons

Nadia’s mother, Mina Bonello loved to stay active. “She could do everything… a typical Italian mum, always helping, always cooking, cleaning and taking care of everything. Mum never moved slowly and was always very much a family person.” So when her mother did start to slow down, forget things and repeat conversations they just had, Nadia got worried. “It’s hard...

My Dementia Story

With the help of their Care Coach, Irene and her dad learned to make the most of their time with Gail.

Gail’s early stages of dementia became apparent when Irene, her daughter, noticed she paid her Ottawa Hydro bill several times in one month. Irene and her dad decided to reach out to the Dementia Society, where they connected with a Care Coach. Irene and her dad received information, support, and guidance on how to care for Irene as she progressed...

My Dementia Story

We Can’t Find Mom…

My Dementia Story

With the help of The Dementia Society’s Circle of Song music program, Janice and Paul found a way to connect through music.

Janice’s husband, Paul, was diagnosed with mixed dementia resulting in memory loss and changes to his mood and behaviour. It was at this time that he was introduced to The Dementia Society’s music program Circle of Song. Paul regularly attended Circle of Song’s sing-along sessions through the Dementia Society’s YouTube Channel. Paul even asked Janice to join him. They shared...

My Dementia Story

Jim, Mary Lynne, Tara, Diana, and Laura Holton: a family affair

Growing up, I loved visiting the Holtons. Tara was one of my best friends, and she had two great sisters, Diana and Laura. But another huge draw was her parents Jim and Mary Lynne, who fed me. “Hey, you ate that third burger pretty fast, would you like a fourth? Can you manage a fifth?” Yes. Yes I can. There was something...

My Dementia Story

Elizabeth and Tony Graham: Together They Had it All

“We didn’t have it all together, but together we had it all.” So reads the inscription on the mausoleum of Ottawa icon Tony Graham in the Beechwood Cemetery. It’s a reference to his marriage to his wife Elizabeth, a marriage that lasted more than fifty years. The inscription speaks to the successes Tony and Elizabeth shared during their lives, the...

My Dementia Story

With the help of The Dementia Society’s Art and Minds Program, Deborah was able to express herself.

At a relatively early age, Joe’s wife, Deborah, was suddenly diagnosed with vascular dementia. Neither Joe nor Deborah knew anything about dementia or how it would change their lives. The Dementia Society was very helpful with support and information, helping Joe to understand what to expect. The Dementia Society’s Art and Minds program was very therapeutic for Deborah, as it...

My Dementia Story

A wonderful Mother’s Day surprise

A while ago, we brought you the story of Selene Commerford. Caregiver to her husband and her mom, who live one floor apart in a long-term care facility in the East end of Ottawa. Radio host Dahlia Kurtz, of The Goods on 580 CFRA radio here in Ottawa, caught wind of Selene’s story and asked to have her on May...

The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County makes a positive difference in our community and in the lives of individuals.

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