February 2024

February marks Recreational Therapy Month!

What is it?

Recreation Therapy, also known as Therapeutic recreation, is a specialized form of therapy that uses leisure and play to help improve a person’s quality of life.

Activities are tools to engage, practice, socialize and provide people living with dementia a feeling of purpose and autonomy. The activities are connected to each individual’s personal interests and meet their specific need, with the objective not to occupy, but to engage.

AGI’s Morty Gross and Busner Family Activity Centre has a team of recreation therapists and other professionals who develop and implement programs fostering group inclusion while catering to the physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs of each individual.

Activities include:

• Strength and balance training

• Low-impact exercises (chair dancing)

• Cognitive activities stimulating attention,

focus, and memory

• Creative arts therapies with daily

programming lead by AGI’s Music

and Art Therapists.

AGI's Activity Centre

For People Living with Dementia

EXCITING NEWS!

The Launch of the Animal Therapy Program in the Activity Centre!

The McGill Student Wellness Hub Animal Therapy (SWHAT) is an initiative to bring stress relief, joy, and companionship with furry friends and their handlers. In addition to serving McGill students, the teams visit Montreal community organizations such as senior residences, addiction rehab programs, drop-in centers for the homeless, palliative care units, and more.

Jupiter, the kind, obedient Shih Tzu is AGI’s own resident therapy dog! He and his fellow certified therapy dogs will be visiting the Activity Centre on a regular basis to bring joy to AGI clients.

Presenting our Furry Friends

A Love Story

On February 14th, it's Valentine's day. At AGI, we are inspired by our clients’ stories and graced by their wisdom, especially, amid this challenging disease.

Here is the inspiring love story of two AGI clients who show that despite the difficulties of living with dementia, it is never too late to make a new, special connection.

Meet Henry and Esther

Henry and Esther’s story starts with a phone call: when Esther dialed Henry by mistake, it sparked a conversation that lasted for hours. Henry, who was previously diagnosed with mixed dementia, told his children about his encounter but they didn’t think much of it… until Esther showed up at the door.

What happens next? Click the button below to find out!

Read their story

Photo credit: Aglow Photography

Education Series

Upcoming Webinar

Reflections on Dementia Care

Presented by:

Dr. Justin Sanders, MD, MSc

Physician and Director at McGill University

Gain insight into the nature of suffering in dementia and approaches that help us mitigate this suffering among patients and caregivers.

Thursday, February 29, 2024

12 pm - 1 pm

Free | Online via Zoom

Past

Annual Awareness Conference

Presented by:

Dr. Howard Chertkow Cognitive Neurologist " What's Coming in Diagnosis, Prevention

and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease "

This presentation talked about the potential benefits, as well as the hurdles that Canadians with dementia and their families will encounter as we move forward.

Watch

Made possible through the generosity of the Lassner Learning Centre and the

Lindsay Memorial Foundation.

Staff Recognition

Behind the Scenes

Have you ever wondered who's the math genius behind our accounting? It's Jo-Anne! She keeps track of all our finances, billing, and your tax receipts.

Her wisdom, kind presence and sense of humour are appreciated by everyone. We are all grateful that she’s part of the AGI team!

Jo-Anne Pride

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

AYA Restaurant

For those who have already

reserved their seat for our Poker Tournament, your ticket is still valid.

Food and Drinks: 6 pm

Tournament: 7 pm

Buy Tickets

All proceeds from the tournament will directly benefit people in

the Greater Montreal area living with dementia and their caregivers.

Donate

Tribute Cards

Celebrating a birthday or offering condolences?

Our beautiful selection of cards can help you express your sentiment and support AGI at the same time.

A thoughtful, personalized message printed on the Tribute Card will be sent to the recipient on your behalf. A tax receipt will be issued for $15 or more. Cards can be e-mailed or mailed.

Send a card

Registration is OPEN!

Your donation to AGI today ensures that Montreal families continue to be well supported in a positive and caring way as they live with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

Donate to AGI

Office Hours

Monday to Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Charitable registration # 896090487RR0001

514-485-7233 | [email protected] | www.agiteam.org

Alzheimer Groupe Inc (AGI) is a charitable organization that offers therapeutic programs to individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Additionally, AGI provides support services to families and professional care partners, focusing on best practices in dementia care, while sensitizing the community at large through education and awareness.