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 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 1st Tuesday of the month from 5:00pm 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 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/

This ongoing monthly support group offers care partners of individuals living with late-stage dementia a space to come together, share their experiences, and find connection with others who understand the realities of caregiving. The facilitator is there to offer support, answer questions and provide education as needed.

Learning Objectives:

• Balancing safety, comfort, and quality of life
• Navigating guilt, grief, burnout and managing self-care”
• Strategies for connection, non-verbal communication
• Working with long-term care, home care and the healthcare system

 

Every fourth Friday of the month from 1:00pm to 3:00pm 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 Tuesday 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 our monthly social at our Mid-Scarborough Hub, 2658 Eglinton Ave E. Scarborough.

This program is an opportunity to meet like-minded people, to engage in meaningful conversations, tap into our creativity and get active. This two-hour social is a great way to find your community and partake in gentle movement to great playlists. East End Friends is intended for people living with dementia and their care partners, and it is offered through a culturally inclusive, accessible and dementia-friendly lens. Light refreshments will be served.

Contact: Please contact Tracey for more information or by phone at 647 456 6168

Join our monthly social at our Mid-Scarborough Hub, 2658 Eglinton Ave E. Scarborough.

This program is an opportunity to meet like-minded people, to engage in meaningful conversations, tap into our creativity and get active. This two-hour social is a great way to find your community and partake in gentle movement to great playlists. East End Friends is intended for people living with dementia and their care partners, and it is offered through a culturally inclusive, accessible and dementia-friendly lens. Light refreshments will be served.

Contact: Please contact Tracey for more information or by phone at 647 456 6168

Join our monthly social at our Mid-Scarborough Hub, 2658 Eglinton Ave E. Scarborough.

This program is an opportunity to meet like-minded people, to engage in meaningful conversations, tap into our creativity and get active. This two-hour social is a great way to find your community and partake in gentle movement to great playlists. East End Friends is intended for people living with dementia and their care partners, and it is offered through a culturally inclusive, accessible and dementia-friendly lens. Light refreshments will be served.

Contact: Please contact Tracey for more information or by phone at 647 456 6168

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:

Tuesday February 3rd , 10am-12pm
Tuesday February 10th , 10am-12pm
Tuesday February 17th, 10am-12pm

 

Optional Session Date:
Tuesday February 24th, 10am-12pm

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

 

Deadline to register is Sunday, January 4, 2026

**Please note that there will be an additional screening of all interested participants to ensure there is a fit between the program and participant. You can expect a screening call 2- 4 weeks before the first session.

 

***(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)***

This hands-on, interactive workshop is for both care partners and the person they are supporting who has dementia or cognitive change. The overarching goal is for the care partner and person with dementia or cognitive change to, together, be more relaxed and grounded at the end of the workshop.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognizing the mental health impact of dementia
• Exploring how relaxation and meditation techniques can help reduce stress
• Practicing some helpful relaxation and meditation techniques that you can continue to do on your own after the workshop

Please note that mindfulness practices incorporate reflective and abstract concepts that may be complex for an individual in later stages of dementia, therefore, this workshop is only suitable for those who are in early stages of dementia, or who have mild cognitive change. To ensure an appropriate fit of program to participant, there is a short screening process that needs to be completed during registration. 

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.

This workshop will incorporate a support group element.

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.