Join Tracey and Kristin, Active Living Program Coordinators at the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, for a fun and engaging 6-week art series that turns everyday household items into beautiful creations.

Let’s transform “trash” into treasure while exploring creativity and self-expression in a relaxed and supportive environment. No previous art experience is needed—just bring your imagination and a willingness to be in the flow of making art.

Program Dates:
August 12, 19, 26, and September 2, 9, & 16, 2025

This program is designed for people living with mild to moderate dementia or cognitive impairment, along with their care partners.

For more information, please contact Kristin Bartlett by email  or by phone 416-389-6099.

This 8-week online support group meets to provide participants with an opportunity to support each other through the grief and bereavement process. Both practical and emotional needs will be explored to help participants cope with a loss.

Learning Objectives:

• Opportunity to share insights and experiences with each other related to their personal caregiving experiences, as well as grief and bereavement
• Learn from others on adjusting to the loss and their own changing relationship to self and others.
• Discuss and share different strategies regarding selfcare including discussion on stages of grief (various frameworks), finding meaning and exploring feelings related to loss and loneliness.
• Receive updated information on where to seek additional supports if desired

 

Session dates:
Thursdays from 10:00am – 12:00pm, starting September 25th to November 13th
Week 1 – September 25th
Week 2 – October 2nd
Week 3 – October 9th
Week 4 – October 16th
Week 5 – October 23rd
Week 6 – October 30th
Week 7 – November 6th
Week 8 – November 13th

Please note, participants are expected to commit to all 8 sessions listed above. Kindly register only if these dates work for you. Your contact information will be shared with Hazel Burns Hospice who will contact you regarding screening. If you have attended this group in the past, please note due to limited space, new members will be prioritized – we thank you for your understanding.

 

Zoom information will be provided via email approximately 24-48 hours prior to the first session.
This program is not a crisis support. For crisis support, you may call Distress Centres of Greater Toronto at 416-408-4357 (408-HELP) or visit www.dcogt.com.

 

Registration is required. Registration closes on September 10th at 11:59pm.
Please check your junk/spam if you do not receive a confirmation email upon registration. 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/

 

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 22nd, 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)

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.

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.

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.

This monthly open support group will provide an opportunity for care partners of a parent diagnosed with OR suspected of having cognitive impairment to come together to support each other through the caregiving experience.

Learning Objectives:

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

 

Every 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:30pm to 7:30pm 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 monthly caregiver support group will provide an opportunity for care partners of individuals diagnosed with OR suspected of having cognitive impairment residing in long-term care to come together to share personal feelings and support each other through the caregiving experience.

Should you choose to participate in this group please know that we expect you to observe the strictest confidentiality. In order to participate in this group, the person you support must have some cognitive impairment and you or the resident must live in the M postal code.

To guide discussion, the group will focus on a different theme relating to LTC on each month. Themes that will be discussed include:

• Transition to LTC
• Managing feelings of guilt, relief and sadness
• How to prepare for Plan of Care Meetings and what to expect
• Family Councils
• Grief and Ambiguous Loss
• Advanced Health Care Planning
• What are responsive behaviours and why do they happen?
• Activities to engage the person you are supporting
• Special Occasions

 

Every 1st Thursday 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 ongoing monthly support group provides 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 insights with each other related to their personal caregiving experiences
• Discuss and share different strategies regarding self-care and care for their family members (including stress, communication and responding to behaviours)
• Learn about how others are adjusting to their own changing relationship
• Receive updated information about dementia and the services available at the Alzheimer Society of Toronto

 

Every 2nd Thursday of the month from 1:30pm to 3:30pm 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/

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.