Alzheimers Society of Toronto

Advance Care Planning
2025-08-18 13:30 - 15:00 (America/Toronto) | https://alz.to/calendar/advance-care-planning-2/
This workshop will review the importance of Advance Care Planning, and the steps involved in the process, in the case where one becomes mentally incapable of making their health care decisions.

Learning Objectives:

Understand what is Advance Care Planning and why it is important
Learn about the steps involved in Advance Care Planning
Understand what is a Substitute Decision Maker and how to appoint a Power of Attorney
Recognize what does capacity and incapacity mean in Ontario

Workshop will be presented online using Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

U-First!® for Care Partners
2025-08-19 10:00 - 12:00 | https://alz.to/calendar/u-first-for-care-partners-3/2025-08-19/
What is U-First!® for Care Partners?
U-First!® for Care Partners is a new education program for family and friends who are providing direct support to someone experiencing behaviour changes as a result of dementia or other cognitive impairment.
This 6 hour education program will help you to:

Enhance well-being of care partners and of the person they are supporting who is experiencing behaviour changes
Reduce responsive behaviours by using the U-First!® framework
Improve collaboration among all team members through a common knowledge, language and approach to care.

Mandatory Session Dates:
Tuesday, August 5th from 10:00am-12:00pm
Tuesday, August 12th from 10:00am-12:00pm
Tuesday, August 19th from 10:00am-12:00pm
Optional Session Date:
Tuesday, August 26th from 10:00am-12:00pm

Who should attend?
U-First!® for Care Partners is for family and friends of people experiencing behaviour changes as a result of dementia or other cognitive impairment who provide direct support for that person in an unpaid role.
What’s involved in the program?

Interactive learning approach that has participants reflect on their experiences, engage with new content, practice using a variety of methods including case studies and plan for how they will implement what they have learned.
Learners receive a Participant Workbook and a U-First!® Wheel to use during the program and keep as useful resources for applying their learning.
Learners will also be invited to take part in an evaluation to better understand the effectiveness and outcomes of the program. In addition, a sample of participants will be invited to take part in an interview with the Evaluator. All learners will be invited to participate in evaluation activities but will not be excluded from the program if they choose not to participate in the evaluation.

What’s the cost for the program?
There is no cost for participants of U-First!® for Care Partners.

Please note that there will be additional screening of all interested participants to ensure there is a fit between the program and participant.
Screening will commence in July, and you can expect a screening call 2-4 weeks before the first session. Sign-up early as registration spots are limited.
Registration closes July 27th, 2025.

(THIS PROGRAM IS FOR INFORMAL CAREGIVERS/PARTNERS/FAMILY/FRIENDS. If you are a Health Care Provider, please click here for the U-First! for Health Care Providers courses)

Finding Joy and Humour in Caregiving
2025-08-21 14:00 - 15:30 | https://alz.to/calendar/finding-joy-and-humour-in-caregiving-2/
This educational workshop is for care partners of individuals living with dementia with a focus on looking at the lighter side of caregiving.
Learning Objectives:

Explore looking and living beyond the diagnosis
Create opportunities for joy and look at the lighter side of caregiving
Evaluate the benefits of humour and having a positive outlook
Assess the strategies and approaches for incorporating joy and humour into caregiving

Workshop will be presented online using Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

U-First!® for Care Partners
2025-08-26 10:00 - 12:00 | https://alz.to/calendar/u-first-for-care-partners-3/2025-08-26/

End of Life Care
2025-09-08 10:00 - 11:30 | https://alz.to/calendar/end-of-life-care-3/
This workshop is for care partners of persons in the late stage of dementia. It provides an opportunity to discuss issues regarding changes in the late stage, approaching the End-of-Life, making difficult decisions for this stage, grief and the need to take care of yourself.

For Family and Friends of people living with dementia.

Workshop will be presented online via Zoom.
Registration is required to participate.

Dementia Overview for Care Partners
2025-09-10 10:00 - 11:30 | https://alz.to/calendar/dementia-overview-for-care-partners-7/
This workshop will provide care partners with an overview of Alzheimer’s disease focusing on the importance of early diagnosis and illustrates the progression of the disease.
This session is intended for care partners to a person living with dementia.
Topics:

Gain a greater understanding of the process of diagnosis and medications available
Develop a better, over-all understanding of dementia
Increase your knowledge of the stages and progression of Alzheimer’s disease
Better the caregiver’s insight into the person with dementia (PWD)
Learn about community services and supports

Workshop will be presented using Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
2025-09-11 10:00 - 11:30 | https://alz.to/calendar/living-with-mild-cognitive-impairment-mci-2/
This workshop is for people living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and/or care partners of people living with MCI. The focus of the session will be on providing an overview of MCI and the differences between normal aging, MCI and dementia.

Learning Objectives:

Increase knowledge of MCI and the differences between normal aging, MCI and dementia
Explore how MCI impacts individuals and families
Learn how to optimize cognitive health
Develop an understanding of supportive services in the community

Workshop will be presented online using Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Exploring Deep Brain Stimulation to Improve Memory and Sleep in Alzheimer’s
2025-09-11 10:30 - 11:30 | https://alz.to/calendar/exploring-deep-brain-stimulation-to-improve-memory-and-sleep-in-alzheimers/
Summary:
This webinar will introduce what deep brain stimulation (DBS) is, how it works, and how it has been used in different parts of the brain. It will cover the methods used and what research has shown so far.
The webinar will also explore a study at the University Health Network in Toronto that is looking for participants. The study is testing DBS as a possible treatment for mild Alzheimer’s disease and is examining whether sending gentle electrical signals to a specific part of the brain can help improve memory, thinking, and sleep.
This webinar is free to attend and is presented in plain language. You will have the opportunity have questions.
For more information on the study, visit: https://tdra.utoronto.ca/study/pilot-study-investigating-deep-brain-stimulation-new-approach-treating-mild-alzheimers
This webinar is presented in partnership with the Toronto Dementia Research Alliance

About the Presenter
Dr. Taufik Valiante is a Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto and a neurosurgeon at Toronto Western Hospital, where he leads the Surgical Epilepsy Program. He is also Director of CRANIA (the Centre for Advancing Neurotechnological Innovation to Application), Co-Director of the Max Planck–University of Toronto Centre for Neural Science and Technology, and a Senior Scientist at both the Krembil Research Institute and The KITE Research Institute.
Dr. Valiante’s research focuses on understanding how the brain works and developing new devices to treat brain conditions such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. His work combines medicine, engineering, and neuroscience to create innovative tools that can record and change brain activity. These advances could one day improve treatment for a wide range of brain disorders.

Mindfulness and Meditation
2025-09-15 10:00 - 11:30 | https://alz.to/calendar/mindfulness-and-meditation-4/
This hands-on, interactive workshop is for care partners of people living with dementia. The overarching goal is for care partners to feel more relaxed and grounded at the end of the workshop, and to learn one or more relaxation and meditation techniques to continue to use on their own.
For care partners of people living with dementia.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize the impact of chronic stress on care partners.
Explore how relaxation and meditation techniques can help reduce care partner stress and build resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Practice some helpful relaxation and meditation techniques that you can continue to do on your own after the workshop.
Develop an understanding of how to connect with supportive services in your community.

Workshop will be presented online using Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Understanding Behaviours and Supportive Communication
2025-09-17 10:00 - 11:30 | https://alz.to/calendar/understanding-behaviours-and-supportive-communication-6/
This workshop provides an overview of behaviours in dementia and communicating in a supportive manner. It will focus on providing participants with the knowledge of how behaviours and communication can change over the course of the disease and ways to supportively communicate with a person living with dementia.
For care partners to a person living with dementia.

Learning Objectives:

Recognize that behaviour is a form of communication
Describe how dementia impacts communication
Recall communication strategies that can be used to support people living with dementia
Discuss the meaning of behaviours in dementia and ways to offer support

Workshop will be presented online via Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Creating Supportive Environments for Persons with Dementia
2025-09-18 11:00 - 12:00 | Alzeducate
Learn how the symptoms of dementia can impact the way in which people engage and interact with their surrounding environment. This webinar will help to enhance your knowledge of what makes an environment dementia friendly, and review strategies that can be implemented to support a person living with dementia in the place where they live.

This Webinar is intended for Health Care Professionals

To register for this webinar, visit:
www.alzeducate.ca
You must login/create an account in order to participate.
To find the session:

Hover over “Education” and select the intended audience.
Select webinars, then “Upcoming live webinars”.
Select your chosen topic, then click “Enrol me” to register.

Reframing Guilt and Anger in Caregiving
2025-09-18 13:30 - 15:00 | https://alz.to/calendar/reframing-guilt-and-anger-in-caregiving-3/
This workshop is to help care partners recognize and identify the causes of guilt and anger in caregiving and develop coping strategies to reframe guilt, anger and build resilience.

For Family and Friends of people living with dementia

Workshop will be presented online using Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Meaningful Activities
2025-09-25 13:30 - 15:00 | https://alz.to/calendar/meaningful-activities/
This workshop will help care partners of a person with dementia in mid-to-late stages to develop and participate in meaningful activities. The goal is to provide practical ideas on how participants can spend quality time together by identifying and drawing upon the person’s remaining strengths.
Learning Objectives:

Understand the importance of meaningful activities for people with dementia or their family members
Demonstrate importance of sensory stimulation for people with dementia or their family members
Employ additional strategies and resources for creating meaningful activities for people with dementia or their family members

Workshop will be presented online via Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Dementia Overview for Care Partners
2025-10-02 10:00 - 11:30 | https://alz.to/calendar/dementia-overview-for-care-partners-4/

Learning to Live with Ambiguous Loss and Grief
2025-10-08 10:00 - 11:30 | https://alz.to/calendar/learning-to-live-with-ambiguous-loss-and-grief-4/
Explore the concept of ambiguous loss, develop coping strategies and gain understanding of feelings of grief when caring for a person with dementia.
This session is for care partners of persons living with dementia in the mid-to-late stages.
Learning Objectives:

Describe the concept of Ambiguous Loss
Recognize the uniqueness and complexity of Ambiguous Loss
Explore concepts for learning to live with Ambiguous Loss
Develop an understanding of supportive services in the community

Workshop will be presented using Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Understanding Behaviours and Supportive Communication
2025-10-09 15:00 - 16:30 | https://alz.to/calendar/understanding-behaviours-and-supportive-communication-5/

Self-Care (for Care Partners)
2025-10-16 10:00 - 11:30 | https://alz.to/calendar/self-care-for-care-partners-5/
This interactive workshop is designed to help family members and friends caring for people living with dementia.
The following topics will be covered:

What is self-care?
Common barriers preventing caregivers from practicing self-care
The benefits of self-care habits
Strategies, approaches and ideas on incorporating self-care into our daily schedule
Emotional hygiene and how to practice it
Creating a self-care plan and sticking to it

Workshop will be presented using Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Working in Long Term Care Series: Session 1 - Adjusting to Long Term Care
2025-10-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Alzeducate
Session 1 of 3 in the Working in Long Term Care Series
This session will cover strategies to support persons living with dementia and their family or care partner(s).
This webinar looks to address the challenges that come with the adjustment to moving to Long Term Care, to reflect on the importance of validating feelings, and learn strategies that support communication with the family members of people living with dementia.

To register for this webinar, visit:
www.alzeducate.ca
You must login/create an account in order to participate.
To find the session:

Hover over “Education” and select the intended audience.
Select webinars, then “Upcoming live webinars”.
Select your chosen topic, then click “Enrol me” to register.

Coping with Death and Grief
2025-10-27 10:00 - 12:00 | https://alz.to/calendar/coping-with-death-and-grief-4/
Losing someone who had dementia can be a unique and complex experience for those who cared for them.
This presentation will explore these issues, identify various approaches to grief, and suggest ways for care partners to cope with loss.

Workshop will be presented using Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Enhancing Family Dynamics
2025-10-29 14:30 - 16:00 | https://alz.to/calendar/enhancing-family-dynamics-3/
This workshop is for care partners of individuals living with dementia. The focus of the session will be on exploring significant sources of conflict for families dealing with dementia and strategies for assisting families, building on strengths and resilience.
For Family and Friends of people living with dementia.

Learning Objectives:

Identify family dynamics and their effects on families
Explore significant sources of conflict for families dealing with dementia
Explore strategies for assisting families, building on strength and resilience
Develop an understanding of supportive services in the community

Workshop will be presented online via Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Understanding Behaviours of Dementia
2025-10-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Toronto Public Library – Don Mills, 888 Lawrence Avenue East, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1P6, Canada
Join us at the Toronto Public Library – Don Mills Branch for our Understanding Behaviours of Dementia education session.
This session is designed to help participants better understand why people living with dementia express changes in their behaviour.
Tips for those supporting the individual experiencing them will be explored.

Registration is appreciated. Please call the branch at 416-395-5710 to register
To learn more, click here

Unpacking Denial in Dementia
2025-10-30 14:00 - 15:30 | https://alz.to/calendar/unpacking-denial-in-dementia-4/
The focus of the session will be on exploring the concept of denial and anosognosia, how it impacts persons with dementia and their care partners, and strategies for assisting families.
Learning Objectives:

Explore the concept of denial and anosognosia
Identify how denial impacts persons with dementia and their care partners
Explore behaviours and strategies for responding
Develop an understanding of supportive services in the community

This workshop is for care partners of a person living with dementia

Workshop will be presented online using Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Dementia Overview for Care Partners
2025-11-03 15:00 - 16:30 | https://alz.to/calendar/dementia-overview-for-care-partners-5/

Exploring Nature-Based Virtual Reality to Support Mood and Wellbeing in Alzheimer’s Disease
2025-11-04 11:00 - 12:00 | https://alz.to/calendar/exploring-nature-based-virtual-reality-to-support-mood-and-wellbeing-in-alzheimers-disease/
Summary:
This webinar will explore how nature-based virtual reality (VR) and other technology-based approaches are being used as non-pharmacological interventions to support people living with Alzheimer’s disease who experience behavioural and psychological symptoms, such as depression or agitation. Attendees will learn how immersive, nature-inspired experiences can improve mood, reduce stress, and enhance quality of life for people living with dementia and their care partners.
The session will then introduce a new study at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), led by Dr. Harmehr Sekhon, that is investigating whether an at-home, nature-based VR program can help manage depression in Alzheimer’s disease. The study also explores how these tools may help people maintain independence and age in place longer.
This webinar is presented in plain language and will include time for audience questions.
For more information on the study, visit: https://tdra.utoronto.ca/study/vrn-ad
Presented in partnership with the Toronto Dementia Research Alliance and the Alzheimer Society of Toronto.

About the Presenter
Dr. Harmehr Sekhon is an Assistant Professor at McGill University and an Associate Scientist at St. Mary’s Research Centre. She completed her Ph.D. in geriatrics at McGill and postdoctoral training in Geriatric Psychiatry at McLean Hospital, McGill University, and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). She is the Director of the GeriTech Innovation Research Lab, which includes a team of eight members working on novel technology-based interventions to support healthy aging across the care continuum.
Her research focuses on developing and testing innovative digital health technologies—such as virtual reality, telehealth, and robotics—to improve diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for older adults living with dementia and other mental health challenges. To date, she has published 50 scientific papers and holds an H-index of 20.

Working in Long Term Care Series: Session 2 - Oral Care
2025-11-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Alzeducate
Session 2 of 3 in the Working in Long Term Care Series
Learn the importance of oral health in overall wellbeing & health, best practice guidelines and practical strategies for providing oral care in each stage of dementia.

To register for this webinar, visit:
www.alzeducate.ca
You must login/create an account in order to participate.
To find the session:

Hover over “Education” and select the intended audience.
Select webinars, then “Upcoming live webinars”.
Select your chosen topic, then click “Enrol me” to register.

U-First!® for Care Partners
2025-11-06 18:00 - 20:00 | https://alz.to/calendar/u-first-for-care-partners-4/2025-11-06/
U-First!® for Care Partners is an interactive education program for informal care partners (family, friends, neighbours) who are providing direct unpaid support to someone experiencing behaviour changes as a result of dementia or other cognitive impairment.
This education program focuses on:

Enhancing the well-being of care partners and of the person they are supporting who is experiencing behaviour changes
Reducing responsive behaviours by using the U-First!® framework
Improving collaboration among all team members through a common knowledge, language and approach to care

Mandatory Session Dates:
Thursday, November 6th from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Thursday, November 13th from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Thursday, November 20th from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Optional Session Date:
Thursday, November 27th from 6:00pm-8:00pm

What’s the cost for the program?
There is no cost for participants of the U-First!® for Care Partners.

Please note that there will be an additional screening of all interested participants to ensure there is a fit between the program and participant.
Screening will commence in October, and you can expect a screening call 2-4 weeks before the first session. Sign-up early as registration spots are limited.

Registration closes October 19th, 2025.
***(THIS PROGRAM IS FOR INFORMAL CAREGIVERS/PARTNERS/FAMILY/FRIENDS ONLY. If you are a Health Care Provider (PSW, nurse, paid private caregiver, etc) please click here for the U-First! for Health Care Providers courses)***

Care Partner Stress and Building Resilience
2025-11-10 15:00 - 16:30 | https://alz.to/calendar/care-partner-stress-and-building-resilience-4/
This workshop is to help care partners identify their sources of stress and develop coping strategies. The focus of the session will be on exploring the concept of resilience and ways to build care partner resilience.

Learning Objectives:

Explore the different types of stress care partners may experience and develop coping strategies to deal with the stress
Increase awareness of the importance of self-care for the care partner
Develop an understanding of supportive services in the community and where to seek those services
Describe the concept of resilience and why it is important for care partners

Workshop will be presented online using Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

Putting You First for Care Partners
2025-11-11 13:00 - 15:00 | https://alz.to/calendar/putting-you-first-for-care-partners-4/
This interactive 2-hour workshop will help participants reflect on all aspects of their well-being.
Through this guided reflection process, participants will identify opportunities for change and start creating a plan to attaining better balance in their lives.

Workshop will be presented online using Zoom.
Registration is required to receive the Zoom link to participate.

U-First!® for Care Partners
2025-11-13 18:00 - 20:00 | https://alz.to/calendar/u-first-for-care-partners-4/2025-11-13/

Dementia Overview
2025-11-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall, Etobicoke, Ontario, M9C 2Y2, Canada
This presentation will discuss the difference between changes that come with normal aging and when something is not normal, reversible causes for these changes, and a general understanding of dementia. It also will cover the different types of dementia, progression, and knowledge of dementia symptoms and their impact on the person living with dementia.
This session will be presented in person at Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall, Etobicoke, On M9C 2Y2 and is hosted by CECHi
Registration is required.
If interested, please register at https://www.EtobicokeHub.org/events
Note: Free Parking on site is available.
