e-Newsletter - October 2020 |
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Coffee Break® is on! Coffee Break® is the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County's annual fundraiser where people gather safely in communities to raise funds to support our important work. It's Coffee for a Cause! Participants at these events make donations in exchange for a cup of coffee. Proceeds raised for the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County stay in Simcoe County to help support local programs and services.
Please support these local businesses and help us raise funds for programs and services for those living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in our community:
Angus Borden Guardian Pharmacy
6 River Drive
Beaver Rock Coffee Barrie
535 Bryne Drive (Bryne & Mapleview)
Beaver Rock Coffee Stayner
7272 Hwy 26 (Main Street)
Casa Cappuccino
91 Dunlop Street, Barrie
IDA Pharmacy Wasaga Beach
30 45th Street South, #1
RX Drug Mart IDA Stayner
7377 ON-26
The Flowered Cow Tearoom
2101 Horseshoe Valley Road West, Craighurst
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LEARN MORE OR REGISTER AT
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I would love to speak with you about it! Please reach out:
Katherine Breeson, Events Coordinator
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Care Partners are Not Visitors |
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The Alzheimer Society welcomes the return of care partners as an essential member of the support network for long-term care residents. You can read the Alzheimer Society of Ontario’s statement in response to the new visitor policy here.
We know that care partners are so much more than visitors: they play a vital role in the wellbeing of residents, and are actively involved in care delivery, planning, and decisions. Limiting care partner access to long-term care homes has a direct impact on resident quality of life, and the ability of care partners to support their family member or friend.
We have heard from countless care partners who want to make their voice heard, and share their experiences providing care during COVID-19. To help care partners push for changes they would like to see in long-term care, the Alzheimer Society has prepared a self-advocacy toolkit with helpful resources and tips for reaching out to a Member of Provincial Parliament.
Care partner access cannot be treated as an inconvenience. The Alzheimer Society stands with care partners seeking to provide compassionate support to their family members and friends during these challenging times.
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Programs and Services Update |
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We want you to know that we are continuing to plan for the resumption of in-person programs; however, due to the population we serve, our reliance on community partners for program space, and the increasing number of people with COVID-19, we are not at the stage where we can safely do so. This hasn’t stopped us from trying to think of new ways to connect with you, however! Over the next month, we will be adjusting our online offerings and will introduce new programs to better serve you.
As always, we continue to accept referrals and provide a full range of education, support services, and social programs online and by phone. Please contact us at 705-722-1066 or simcoecounty@alzheimersociety.ca for more information.
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Engaging with music can be a powerful activity for those living with dementia: music has the potential to increase physical and social activity, reignite older memories, and, improve sleep, mood, cognition, communication, and overall quality of life.
The Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County offers two programs that tap into the benefits of music:
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Musical Memories is a 6-week community music group facilitated by a Music Therapist from Music Therapy Services of Simcoe County. The first session starts Wednesday, October 14. Please call Taryl Bougie to register at 705-795-6259.
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The Alzheimer Society Music Project reconnects people with the soundtrack of their lives by providing MP3 players loaded with personalized music to people living with dementia. We are grateful for the Catherine Booth and Michael Kirk Social Recreation Fund that enables us to offer these devices free of charge to community participants. For more information or to request a device, please visit www.musicproject.ca
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Introducing our Enhancing Care Program Clinician |
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Toni Jacobs, RSW is the Enhancing Care Program Clinician for the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County. Prior to joining us, Toni has worked as a clinical social worker/therapist in the Orillia area and has focused her practice on three areas including disease management and psychosocial rehabilitation, care partner health and well-being, and grief/loss and bereavement. In addition to her work at the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County, Toni teaches at the Orillia campus of Georgian College.
In her spare time, Toni enjoys the outdoors with her Australian Sheppard, Maghie.
The Enhancing Care for Ontario Dementia Care Partners Program is new to the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County. This program was developed by, and will be delivered in partnership with, the Sinai Health System Reitman Centre. Our Enhancing Care Program Clinician will be focusing on the delivery of the CARERS program, which is an eight-week comprehensive dementia-care program for family care partners of people living with early and mid-stage dementia. The program is scheduled to begin in early 2021.
For more information about the Enhancing Care for Ontario Dementia Care Partners Program, please visit DementiCarers.ca
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Special Virtual Event for People Living with Dementia and Family Care Partners |
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The Fountain of Health Initiative: Promoting Wellbeing Across the Lifespan |
Each year, the North Simcoe Muskoka Dementia Network hosts an event for people living with dementia and their family partners in care as part of the annual dementia conference. This year's family event features Fountain of Health speaker, Dr. Paul Blackburn.
The event will be held virtually using Zoom on Tuesday, October 27 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
This is a FREE event.
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Guest Speaker:
Dr. Paul Blackburn
Tuesday, October 27
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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10th Annual North Simcoe Muskoka Dementia Conference: Optimal Aging, Positive Health |
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Even if you missed the first webinar in the series, it's not too late to register for the remaining sessions! Click the button below to register.
This year, the North Simcoe Muskoka Dementia Network is hosting a FREE virtual conference featuring speakers from the Fountain of Health and our local geriatric psychiatrist, Dr. Bingham. The conference is for any health care professional working with people who are living with dementia.
Speakers and dates/times are below. Register for one or two presentations.
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Dr. Petal Abdool
The Fountain of Health Initiative: Promoting Brain Health and Wellness in Frontline Care
Wednesday, October 14
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
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Dr. Kathleen Bingham
Optimizing mental health for People living with dementia and care partners
Wednesday, October 21
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
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Dr. Keri-Leigh Cassidy
The Fountain of Health for Clinicians' Wellbeing
Wednesday, October 28
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
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FREE Activity Kits Available! |
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The Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County received funding from the Canada Emergency Community Support Fund through the United Way Simcoe Muskoka to create and distribute activity kits to our clients. Kits are available for a range of abilities and interests and are meant to help keep people living with dementia engaged during this time of physical distancing.
Below are some examples of activity kits, but we have many more options! All kits also come with an exercise ball and some simple at-home exercise instructions. Please keep in mind that not all kits come with the items seen here. Email Erika at erice@alzheimersociety.ca to find out what's available and order your free kit!
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Meet our Board Vice-Chair! |
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Like many of our constituents, Jordan Weber watched as close family and friends worked with their loved ones to support elders in their aging process, sometimes including those with dementia. Jordan’s work experience as Finance & Quality Manager at Couchiching Family Health Team allows him to add his knowledge of the health system and his personal observations of caregiving to his role as Vice-Chair of the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County’s Board of Directors.
To Jordan, the important message to be remembered about the Alzheimer Society is that we welcome people living with dementia, and their care partners to participate in the wide range of supports available, from education courses to individual counselling for those whose life situation provides significant challenges. “We all need help from time to time, and it’s always a good time to ask for support”.
Jordan, his wife, Elana, who has also volunteered for the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County, and their two children, live in Barrie.
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Claddagh Teacup Candles at The Flowered Cow |
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The Flowered Cow described as the Farmhouse Market & Shabby Chic Tea Room is the newest retail shop in Craighurst and is owned by Michele Duivenvoorden.
Michele is offering something very special for sale in her shop in memory of her Granny who had Alzheimer’s disease, and in honour of her Mom, Dorothy, who is living with dementia. Tea time was a special time that she shared with them, so Michelle makes and sells ‘Claddagh Teacup Candles’ with proceeds benefitting the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County.
Each teacup candle features a familiar family scent and a piece of Claddagh jewelry to wear in memory of those with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
The shop is located at 2101 Horseshoe Valley Road and offers everything from curtains to bedding & more, along with paint workshops and many options for ‘tea time’. You can check out the website HERE or stop in and say hello! Purchase a Claddagh Teacup Candle in support of people living with dementia in Simcoe County.
For more information, please call us at 705-722-1066 x258
Charitable Registration Number: 11921 2116 RR0001
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