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.

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 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.

Mid-Town Social focuses on social wellness for people living with dementia and their care partners. This series offers opportunities to build meaningful connections through shared creative and social experiences.

In this session, art educator Jano Cortijo will guide us through an exploration of nature in art, with a focus on fruit as a subject. Often the stars of still life paintings, fruits carry a wide range of symbolism and meaning. Together, we’ll explore artworks that feature fruit and create our own pieces inspired by their forms and colours.

About the Facilitator:
Jano Cortijo is an arts educator who engages audiences of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds in museums, classrooms, community centres, and online spaces. His practice highlights artists and artworks often excluded from mainstream conversations, encouraging participants to connect their own histories and stories with the art they encounter.

Following the art activity, participants are invited to share a meal together to continue the conversation and connection.

Image caption:

Francisco Oller, Guanabanas, 1948
Oil on canvas, 18 x 37 inches

This session is geared towards care partners and will explore the following:

• An overview of dementia
• The connection between music and dementia
• The benefits of personalized music for people living with dementia
• An overview of the Alzheimer’s Society Music Project to help individuals with dementia reconnect with the soundtrack of their lives.

The Community Connections Café is a welcoming space where people with memory loss or Dementia, and their care partners, can come to connect with others and support their brain health while socializing. This is an opportunity to enjoy simple refreshments and make new friends in a Dementia Friendly Community Space.

The Community Connections Cafe focuses on social wellness for people with memory loss or Dementia, and their care partners. The program is informal with the intended atmosphere of a local coffee shop where participants can chat over a beverage, do something creative, or play a game.

Every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 2:30pm to 4:30pm In-person at our AST Head Office
Location: 20 Eglinton Ave West, 16th Floor, Toronto
(Northwest corner of Yonge and Eglinton, across the street from Yonge and Eglinton subway station. Our office tower is to the left of Metro Grocery)

Registration is required for this program and closes at midnight (12am) the day prior to the event.
Please specify the number of guests attending when you register. You may register up to 3 persons per group.

The Community Connections Café is a welcoming space where people with memory loss or Dementia, and their care partners, can come to connect with others and support their brain health while socializing. This is an opportunity to enjoy simple refreshments and make new friends in a Dementia Friendly Community Space.

The Community Connections Cafe focuses on social wellness for people with memory loss or Dementia, and their care partners. The program is informal with the intended atmosphere of a local coffee shop where participants can chat over a beverage, do something creative, or play a game.

Every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 12:30pm to 2:30pm In-person at our AST Mid Scarborough Hub.
Address: 2658 Eglinton Avenue East, Scarborough, ON, M1K2S3

Registration is required for this program and closes at midnight (12am) the day prior to the event.
Please specify the number of guests attending when you register. You may register up to 3 persons per group.

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 last Wednesday of the month from 2:30pm to 4:30pm In-person
Location: 20 Eglinton Ave West, 16th Floor, Toronto
(Northwest corner of Yonge and Eglinton, across the street from Yonge and Eglinton subway station. Our office tower is to the left of Metro Grocery)

*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 support group will provide an opportunity for spousal caregivers 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 the person they are supporting (including stress, communication and responding to behavioural and cognitive changes)
• Learn about how others are adjusting to and coping with their caregiving journey
• Receive updated information about dementia and the services available at the Alzheimer Society of Toronto

Every last Monday of the month from 1:30pm 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 Wednesday 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/