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.

 

Learning Objectives:

• Learning how dementia impacts communication
• Recognizing that behaviour is a form of communication
• Discussing how to identify the meaning of behaviours in dementia and ways to offer support

 

Please note this workshop is only for informal care partners (friends, family, etc) of a person living with dementia. This workshop is NOT for healthcare professionals.

Workshop will be presented using Zoom, registration required to receive link.

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

 

This workshop is for people living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and/or care partners of people living with MCI.

 

Workshop will be presented using Zoom, registration required to receive link.

This workshop is an introduction to dementia, the different types of dementia, symptoms and progression of dementia, and the varying ways to support a person with dementia.

 

Learning Objectives:

 

• Understanding dementia as an umbrella term, and the most common types of dementia
• Reviewing dementia warning signs and the 8 A’s of dementia
• Creating an understanding of ways to support a person with dementia through timely diagnosis, medications and quality-of-life activities
• Learn about community services and supports

 

Please note this workshop is only for informal care partners (friends, family, etc) of a person living with dementia. This workshop is NOT for healthcare professionals.

Workshop will be presented using Zoom, registration required to receive link.

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.

 

Please note this workshop is only for informal care partners (friends, family, etc) of a person living with dementia. This workshop is NOT for healthcare professionals.

Workshop will be presented using Zoom, registration required to receive link.

This workshop uses learnings from positive psychology to explore ways to create more moments of joy and humour, and to look at the lighter side of caregiving.

Learning Objectives:

• Learning the science behind happiness and humour
• Creating opportunities for joy and humour in caregiving
• Evaluating the benefits of humour and having a positive outlook

 

Please note this workshop is only for informal care partners (friends, family, etc) of a person living with dementia. This workshop is NOT for healthcare professionals.

Workshop will be presented using Zoom, registration required to receive link.

This workshop focuses on recognizing and identifying the causes of guilt and anger in caregiving, and developing coping strategies to reframe guilt, anger and build resilience.

 

Learning Objectives:

• Exploring the nature of emotions
• Creating space for difficult emotions such as anger and guilt in caregiving
• Strategies to cope with challenging emotions

 

Please note this workshop is only for informal care partners (friends, family, etc) of a person living with dementia. This workshop is NOT for healthcare professionals.

 

Workshop will be presented using Zoom, registration required to receive link.

Too often, clients shared that they wish they had learned what they would learn later in their journey but much earlier, expressing how key insight on the dementia experience would have improved their overall dementia journey.
This brand-new support group was designed by AST social workers in collaboration with caregivers, people experiencing cognitive changes, and various dementia specialists to offer key insight at the start of the dementia journey for the care partner.
Our experience tells us that the earlier you know what you know, the better your overall caregiving journey.

Each session will focus on a key theme. The following themes will be discussed:

• Advance Care Planning-January 21st
• Getting a Diagnosis-February 18th
• Ontario Health at Home Supports and Respite Programs-March 18th
• Supportive Living Environments -April 15th
• Supporting Healthy Choices for the Person Living with Dementia and Caregiver-May 20th
• Communication Strategies-June 17th
• Risk and Safety-July 15th
• Dementia Medications-August 19th
• Care Partner and Person Living with Dementia Expressed Realities-September 16th
• Insider Dementia Wisdom and Overview of Alzheimer Society of Toronto Services-October 21^st

Should you choose to participate in this group please know that we expect you to observe the strictest confidentiality.

 

Every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 5:30pm to 7:00pm online using Zoom
(Zoom information will be provided via email at least 24-48 hours prior to the date)

 

*Disclaimer: Registration for this group closes on the Monday prior to the session. Your registration for this session does not apply to future dates. Please check your junk/spam email box if you do not receive the registration confirmation email. If you’re having trouble registering, please let us know by emailing: intake@alz.to

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT IS FOR INFORMAL CAREGIVERS/PARTNERS/FAMILY/FRIENDS. If you are a PAID Healthcare Provider, please see program offerings here: https://alz.to/health-care-professionals/

This in-person monthly caregiver support group will provide an opportunity for care partners of individuals diagnosed with OR suspected of having cognitive impairment to come together to support each other through the caregiving experience.

Learning Objectives:

• Opportunity to share feelings and insights with each other related to their personal caregiving experiences
• Discuss and share different strategies regarding self-care and care for the person they are supporting (including stress, communication and responding to behaviours)
• Learn about how others are adjusting to their own changing relationship
• Receive information about the services available at the Alzheimer Society of Toronto

 

Every second Tuesday of the month from 10:00am-11:30am In-Person at the AST Mid-Scarborough Hub. 
Location: 2658 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON, M1K 2S3 (attached to the Scarborough Center for Healthy Communities (SCHC) building).

 

*Disclaimer: Registration for this group closes on the Thursday prior to the session. Your registration for this session does not apply to future dates. Please check your junk/spam email box if you do not receive the registration confirmation email. If you’re having trouble registering, please let us know by emailing: intake@alz.to

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT IS FOR INFORMAL CAREGIVERS/PARTNERS/FAMILY/FRIENDS. If you are a PAID Healthcare Provider, please see program offerings here: https://alz.to/health-care-professionals/

Join us this January for Feel the Spark, an Alzheimer Awareness Month event featuring Rick Levine, a talented musician and person living with dementia.

Hosted at Safari Bar and Grill, this uplifting evening celebrates creativity, community, and what remains possible after a dementia diagnosis.

Enjoy a live performance by Rick, learn about his artistic journey, and take part in an interactive karaoke segment where everyone is invited to sing and share in the joy of music.

Whether you come to listen, learn, or lift your voice, Feel the Spark is an invitation to reimagine life with dementia — with creativity, courage, and community at the centre.

Evening starts at 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm

This 4-week online caregiver support group will provide an opportunity for care partners of individuals living with dementia to come together to support each other through the caregiving experience, with a structured focus on the concept of “Ambiguous Loss”. This group is inspired by Pauline Boss’ book “Loving Someone With Dementia“.

Learning Objectives

• Develop an understanding of the concept of “Ambiguous Loss” and ambiguous loss in the context of dementia, and how this unique type of loss differs from other losses
• Develop coping strategies to implement in their own lives
• Obtain a better understanding of their own experiences of grief related to caring for their family member
• Engage in self reflection and share insights related to their caregiving experience
• Learn from others on adjusting to the losses and their own changing relationship to self and others

 

This group will run for four consecutive weeks online using Zoom. Zoom information will be provided via email at least 24-48 hours prior to the start date.

Session dates:
Mondays from 2pm–4pm, starting Jan 26th ending Feb 23rd(excluding Feb 16th for Family Day).

• Week 1 – Jan 26th
• Week 2 – Feb 2nd
• Week 3 – Feb 9th
• Week 4 – Feb 23rd

* Please note, participants are expected to commit to all 4 sessions listed above. Kindly register only if these dates work for you. If this schedule does not work for you at this time, you’re encouraged to check out our ongoing support groups that are available for registration month-to-month. See a list of upcoming support groups here!

 

Registration is required and closes on Thursday, January 22nd at 11:59 pm.
Please check your junk/spam if you do not receive a confirmation email upon registration. Zoom information will be provided via email approximately 24-48 hours prior to the first session. If you need registration support, please contact us at: intake@alz.to.

THIS EVENT IS FOR INFORMAL CAREGIVERS/PARTNERS/FAMILY/FRIENDS ONLY.
If you are a PAID Healthcare Provider, please see program offerings here: https://alz.to/courses-learning-programs/