Reducing Isolation

What resources exist in the Ottawa area?

Dementia Society resources/programs:

• Dementia Society Social Programs. Access live exercise programs, music, and more.
• Support group meetings for caregivers: Activities, Support & Services – The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County.
• Enroll in the Dementia Society’s Facebook peer support group.
• Support groups meetings for people living with dementia (young onset or early stages). Contact the dementia society for more information.
• A Dementia Care Coach: Get help tailoring activities and resources to fit the needs of the person with dementia. A coach can help connect individuals or families to social programs.
• Learn strategies. The following fact sheets are available
  • Meaningful activities to do at home
  • How to promote engagement in activities
  • Communicating by phone of internet
• Dementia Friendly Activity Packages can help fill the person’s day. Several types are available.
• Fill the pages of this activity book for people living with dementia and their caregivers together. (This books was created by occupational therapy students at McGill University.)

Other programs:

• The Good Companion’ Centre “Senior Centre Without Walls.” Participate in free group activities over the phone (no computer needed).
• The Alzheimer’s Music Project helps people with dementia reconnect with the soundtrack of their lives. Music can do wonders to help us feel connected to our past and bring meaning to the moment. Complete the Alzheimer’s Music Project application form. Free MP3 players are available upon request and music is tailored to the person living with dementia.
• The BBC Reminiscence Archive is designed to support “reminiscence therapy,” helping people feel connected with the past through a selection of content from the BBC Archives. Content can be sorted by theme and decade.