Weekly Round-Up

Brain-Friendly Activities and Information!

Live Events

Mark your calendar for these upcoming LIVE events.
Dementia Society live events offer the opportunity for real-time interaction, Q&A with dementia experts, and a direct connection to your community of support

Your Community of Support Online and In-Person

Peer support groups are a great way to connect with and share experiences with other caregivers and their partners. View this month’s schedule of Dementia Society expert-facilitated online support groups Ottawa / Renfrew County 

Support Options

• Grief Peer Support: Grief is an undeniable part of the experience of dementia: ongoing grief, anticipatory grief, complex grief, and end of life grief. Join this group to hone your grief coping strategies, resiliency, and isolation during challenging times. The Grief Peer Support Group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each, a month from 6:30-8:30 pm. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, September 8, 2020. More here.
  
• Long-term Care – Retirement Home Support: These groups focus on the experience of care in a residential setting and related challenges and strategies for living well for care partners and people living with dementia. Next meeting Wednesday, September 9, 2020, More here.

Always-On Programming

The Dementia Society offers a wealth of on-demand programming available to you on your time. Education, entertainment and dementia-tailored activities are just a click away, when you need and want them.

Fireside Chat with a Dementia Care Coach and Caregiver In this Fireside Chat, we look at the role of a Dementia Care Coach in supporting caregivers, how to best navigate this crisis as a caregiver, and to ensure the best possible outcomes for ourselves and our loved ones. (58min:20sec)

Spiritual Resiliency, Dementia, and Caregiving during Uncertain Days- The presenters of this webinar will raise questions about the intersection of faith and caregiver health - emotional, social, and spiritual. Namely, are there healthy and healing ways to narrate our own lives, as caregivers, that are more strengthening than others? (1hr:02min)

On-Demand Activities

Get crafty! A series of Arts and Minds classes is now available on the Dementia Society’s to view them please click here. Pick from (painting, drawing, specific examples) classes to find the instructor-lead session that best suits your interests.

Music fires the brain! Our Circle of Song sing-a-long classes are available at your convenience on YouTube. To view them please click here and you’ll be humming along in no time.

In-Home Programs

Take-a-Break: You know caregiving is stressful and can require a lot of resilience. Our Take-a-Break program provides caregivers the opportunity to take a few moments for themselves, while a trained volunteer visits with your person with dementia. This virtual respite program is free, just register to request a match. We’ll find the right fit so you both get a break. For more information and to register, click here.

Pedal Power Program - Pedal Power is- a foot pedal loan program that sets you up to cycle in the comfort of your home. We provide the pedals and you’re on your way – it’s easier than riding a bike! To learn more click here.

In the News  

• Appearing on 1310 News Dr. Andrew Frank - Medical Director of the Bruyère Memory Program at the Bruyère Hospital speaks to Rob Snow about the'Game-changing' drug that could halt Alzheimer’s that may be available in the US by March.
  • Listen Here

Did You Know?

• Did you know that the areas of the brain that hold music memories are typically unaffected by dementia? What are 3 songs that have meaning for you and your person living with dementia? Sing or play these songs, hold hands as you do. This added touch can stimulate memories and positive emotions. This may be particularly helpful during sundowning. If it doesn’t work the first time don’t give up. Try it another day, in another situation. Keep it upbeat and let the music move you!

Dementia knows no bias. The Dementia Society is here to ensure that NO ONE faces dementia alone. We share Capital Pride’s mission to celebrate, advocate, educate, and connect people respecting the full diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The Dementia Society is here to help all people affected by dementia and their care partners.
Happy Pride Week Ottawa, let’s live life to the fullest!

No one should face dementia alone. We appreciate your unwavering support during these challenging times.  We were created by our community for our community and we stand with our community, continuing to provide much-needed services and support to people living with dementia, their caregivers, and their families. DONATE