Life with dementia can bring daily challenges for those living with dementia, their caregivers and their families. Staying socially connected and engaging through meaningful activities that are so important to living well.
The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County is here to help. Our Dementia Care Coaches are available to support you remotely and in person. You can reach us by phone, e-mail, and live chat on our website.
We offer a wide range of educational, recreational and support programs some live at scheduled times and many available on demand.
This factsheet highlights our online programs and ideas for activities to try at home.
The Dementia Society Programs
- Monthly Round-Up
- Every month, we send you the new e-bulletin with the latest education, meaningful activities and support available. Stay up to date by scrolling down on the main page of our website and registering.
- Dementia Care Coach
- Dementia Care Coaches work with you through every stage of dementia by providing tailored guidance, support, and information about dementia. Reach out by phone, e-mail, and live chat on our website.
- Ottawa: 613-523-4004
- Renfrew County: 888-411-2067
- info@dsorc.org
- Dementia Care Coaches work with you through every stage of dementia by providing tailored guidance, support, and information about dementia. Reach out by phone, e-mail, and live chat on our website.
- Support Groups
- We offer five online support groups each month, providing a safe environment for caregivers and families to learn, express, and help each other by offering mutual understanding and support. Each group is facilitated by a Dementia Care Coach and a peer support volunteer. Peruse the latest schedule and register.
- Music Programs at Home
- For people living with dementia, memories may begin to fade away, but emotions often remain as vibrant as ever. Music uniquely allows us to explore memories of the past while experiencing the enjoyment and pleasure of a beloved tune or classic boogie. Enjoy the Dementia Society’s music programs live or at home and access the latest videos on our YouTube Page.
- Turquoise with Sid
- Musical Connections – Arabian Tunes
- Music and Movement series
- Musical Connections with Anne and the Joyful Sound Choir
- The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County YouTube Channel
- Arts and Minds at Home
- Explore art and creativity at home. Art projects can foster a sense of accomplishment and purpose, providing both individuals with dementia and caregivers a chance for self-expression. Instructors guide participants through each class, and art supplies are provided to help participants engage with the activity and follow along.
- Arts and Minds: Creative Cards and Crafts.
- Dementia Friendly Activity Packages
- Packages include puzzles, games, and activities that people living with dementia and their care partners can enjoy from the comfort of home. Request a package at the Lending Library.
- Pedal Power Program
- Cycle in the comfort of your home! We provide the pedals and you’re on your way. Learn more about Pedal Power.
- Dementia Learning Hub
- Engage with our Dementia Learning Hub to better understand dementia and promote brain health. Explore 7 bilingual modules covering brain health, dementia, and caregiving. Each course takes just 15 minutes and offers essential knowledge and practical tools to help you navigate dementia with confidence.
Meaningful Activities from Around the World
- BBC Reminiscence Archive
- This archive provides access to a selection of content from the BBC Archives, designed to support reminiscence therapy. To begin, visit the BBC Reminiscence Archive home page and simply select a Theme (such as Sport, Events etc…) or a Decade (1930s, 1940s etc…) and choose whether you wish to have Image, Audio or Video content.
- Music
- The best live-streamed classical music concerts available online on Classic FM.
- Request a free personalized music player and enjoy old favourites at the Alzheimer’s Society Music Project.
- Movies/Theatre
- Home movies and classic amateur films from around the world available on this British Film Institute website.
- Laurel and Hardy’s slapstick classic The Flying Deuces.
- Nature, Zoos and Aquarium Live Streams
- Lions, tigers and bears oh my! Live stream most animals from the safety of your home on the Explore.org website.
- Various animals at San Diego zoo website’s live cameras.
- Various animals at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium YouTube channel.
Virtual Museums Tours and Online Exhibitions
- A virtual tour of the Canadian Museum of History
- The online collections of the Royal Ontario Museum.
- The online exhibitions of the Canadian War Museum.
- The Art Gallery of Ontario’s Access to Art program.
- The National Gallery of Canada’s online collection.
- The Hockey Hall of Fame’s online collection.
- The Google Arts and Culture online platform provides digital tours of more than 2,500 museums and galleries around the world.
- NASA online learning resources.
Home Exercise
- At home “Strength and Balance Exercises” from the City of Ottawa.
- Rogers TV Better Strength Better Balance online recordings (coming soon).
A World without Walls
- The Good Companions Seniors Centre Without Walls program
- Join health and wellness seminars, educational lectures, brain-stimulating activities, listen to live musical entertainment, join in on general conversations, and make new and meaningful friendships – all from the comfort of home! Visit the Good Companions Seniors Centre Without Walls website.
- Ontario Caregiver Organization weekly support groups for caregivers is listed on the website’s events page.
- Support for Caregiver Awareness, Learning and Empowerment (SCALE) webinars aim to empower caregivers with practical information, and skills to enhance self-awareness with a focus on your own needs and well-being.
Online Activities
- A new online jigsaw puzzle is available every day on the Jigidi website.
- Online colouring tools are available on TheColour.com.
- The Adult Coloring Book is a colouring app for more detailed tools.
Ottawa: 613-523-4004 Renfrew-County: 1-888-411-2067 | info@dsorc.org | DementiaHelp.ca
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