Greetings Friends,

I know many anticipate the new year as a sign of a fresh start. As I reflect on the past year at ASDR, I find myself thinking of the past few months and feel incredibly proud and humbled by the incredible things we were able to accomplish, not only as a team, but for our clients. This year, we have been able to resume many of our programs and services in multiple locations across Durham Region and welcomed new friends and faces along the way.

As we look to 2023, we here at ASDR are committed to ensuring our programs and services continue to meet the needs of our clients and provide value to your lives. As we anticipate the need for our services to grow in 2023 and beyond, we will look to our clients to help us shape the ASDR of the future. Your voice, and your experiences are what inspires us every day and for that we are so grateful.

Wishing you and yours a healthy and joyous holiday season.

Gillian Barrie, OT Reg. (Ont.)

Chief Executive Officer, Alzheimer Society of Durham Region

Our Winter Program Calendar is now available!

Registration is now open for support groups, social and recreation programs and our educational workshops. Programs in the winter calendar run from January to March 2023.

To receive a printed copy of our calendar, or for more information, please call us at 905-576-2567.  

There are nearly 12,000 people in Durham Region living with dementia. Donations help us provide the necessary education, counselling, and social recreation programs to ensure those living with dementia and their care partners have the services they need. Your support and generosity this holiday season and throughout the year is greatly appreciated.

January is Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Every January ASDR recognizes Alzheimer’s Awareness Month by encouraging organizations and individuals to learn more about dementia and its impact on those living with the disease. Our goal is to bring an understanding of what people living with dementia and their care partners experience in their day-to-day-lives to the community to help reduce stigma and show support. 

This January, we invite you to help ASDR raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias by joining us for the following initiatives:

• Light It Up Blue Campaign – Help ASDR light up our community blue this January by donating to our Light It Up Blue Campaign with funds going to support our Young Onset Dementia Adult Day Program. Put your blue light outside your home or business all January to help raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Contact us at [email protected] to find out how to receive your blue light bulb. Thank you to our friends at the Canadian Tire stores in Ajax, Bowmanville and Uxbridge for generously donating the bulbs for this campaign!

• Forget-Me-Not Campaign – Local businesses across Durham will be inviting their customers to make a donation at the cash register in support ASDR’s programs and services. Those who support will sign a forget-me-not cut-out which will be displayed in the store for the month of January. Know a local business that wants to participate? Contact us at [email protected] for more information.

• Flag Raising - Join us at the Durham Region headquarters in Whitby on January 9^th, 2023 at 10 a.m. for a flag raising in recognition of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

Coming Soon NEW Annual Program Guide!

Coming in early 2023. Discover more about the services provided by ASDR. This new guide includes details on all our programs available throughout the year. It will help you to understand more about who our programs and services are intended for and how attending can benefit you. Look for more information on how to obtain your guide in early 2023.