e-Newsletter - November 2020 |
|
November is Make A Will Month in Canada. With the rising tide of dementia and other brain related diseases, it is crucial that Canadians complete a valid and up-to-date Will and Powers of Attorney for Property and Personal Care before any potential capacity issues arise. We are urging everyone to complete their Will and Powers of Attorney.
If you have assets, even just a bank account, you need a Will. Why?
- It can save you money by reducing taxes and administration costs.
- It protects those you care about, whether your family or a charity you want to support.
- You can decide who will be the executor of your Will, who will look after your kids and who will benefit from your lifetime of work.
“My Mom and Dad never talked about what they wanted in illness or in death; Mom’s early onset dementia diagnosis progressed so quickly that they never had a chance to talk about it. Everyone presumed to know what Mom would have wanted, it tore our family apart”. Eloise’s daughter.
Many people procrastinate writing a Will because they think their family, or the government will look after everything for them, or they just “never get around to it.”
But consider the facts:
- More than 70% of Canadians do not have Powers of Attorney for Property and Personal Care.
- More than 50% of Canadians do not have a Will.
- One in 10 Ontarians over the age of 65 is living with dementia.
- Women represent 72% of all Canadians living with Alzheimer’s disease.
“Mom didn’t have a Power of Attorney for Personal Care, she would not have agreed to or chosen the path of treatment that was chosen for her”. Eloise’s son. “We don’t know what she would have chosen to do, that was the hardest part, we all thought we knew what was best and that was wrong”. Eloise’s daughter.
When dementia and procrastination team up, they wreak havoc. If mental capacity issues arise, you will not be able to sign legal documents. Court proceedings may be necessary to access a person’s finances or health records. This process can be time-consuming, expensive and stressful.
“My Dad invested wisely, and he and Mom lived comfortably. When Mom was diagnosed with dementia, we knew they would be okay financially, we knew he could afford to retire and care for her at home. What we didn’t expect was his illness and sudden death after diagnosis. The Powers of Attorney for Property were not updated when Mom was diagnosed with dementia, she was named in his will as such. The situation my siblings and I were left with after his death and in caring for Mom was not only stressful, it destroyed us as a family. It took several years to settle the estate after Mom passed.” Eloise’s son.
The Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County suggests that you should always consult your legal advisors, financial planners and family members when making decisions about your estate and when making your Will. If you would like additional information or would like to request an estate planning guide, please email fdo@alzheimersociety.ca.
|
|
Support the Alzheimer Society on
Giving Tuesday
|
|
Giving Tuesday is coming soon! Watch your inbox on December 1st for news about the launch of our 12 Ways to Give and 12 Days of Gifting campaign!
Like us, people living with dementia have faced many challenges this year with social isolation, physical distancing, and the inability to see their loved ones; however, the reality of social isolation isn’t new and is something those touched by dementia have always experienced.
Giving Tuesday is the largest day of global giving where people give back to the charities they hold near and dear to their heart, and we hope that for you, this includes the Alzheimer Society.
This year when you give on Giving Tuesday, or any other day, you will help send an important message that helps people living with dementia understand they are not alone during these trying times, and that you want them to receive the support and connections they need most, and ultimately, help find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Are you ready to make a difference and show how much you care?
STAY TUNED!
|
|
Programs and Services Update |
|
As of November 7, 2020, the Simcoe-Muskoka region has been placed in the “Yellow-Protect” level as outlined in the Government of Ontario’s “Keeping Ontario Safe and Open” Framework. We are moving cautiously towards offering in-person programs and will be starting with limited face-to-face supportive counselling office visits this month. Persons eligible for an in-person visit must still adhere to public health guidelines that include wearing a mask and maintaining physical distance at all times. Appointments must be made with your Family Support Coordinator. We are tentatively planning some in-person education and support groups in our Barrie location starting January/February, however this will be dependent on our assessed regional public health level.
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.
|
|
We are Going LIVE on Facebook! |
|
As a result of COVID-19, the Alzheimer Society's education team has had to get out of their comfort zone and embrace social media as a way to provide public awareness. Starting Monday, November 16th the Alzheimer Society will be going LIVE at noon every second week. Our first Facebook LIVE event will address this frequently asked question: What's normal aging and what's not normal aging?
Follow us on Facebook by clicking the icon at the top of this newsletter or by visiting our Facebook page @AlzheimerSocietySimcoeCounty. To join a live event, log onto Facebook prior to noon on the event day and you’ll receive a notification that we are live!
|
|
FREE Activity Kits Available! |
|
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! Click here to see a description of all kits available. 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!
|
|
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit Wants to Hear from You! |
|
The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit wants to learn more about the impacts the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the residents of Simcoe Muskoka through an online survey. The survey is anonymous and no identifiable information will be collected.
The survey explores the financial, mental, social, and physical impacts of the pandemic on individuals and families. It is essential that they hear from a wide range of people that represent the full diversity in our communities. They will use the survey data to identify where there are gaps or hardships that need to be addressed. That may mean adapting or improving services the health unit offers or advocating to political decision makers at all levels for changes. They will also share the findings with organizations that deal with some of the issues they uncover so they can put plans in place to address the needs of our residents.
|
|
Rotary Cash Calendars are Coming! |
|
Purchase a Rotary Cash Calendar and Support the Alzheimer Society!
The Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County is seeking your help to sell 2021 Rotary Cash Calendars. A great Christmas Gift - not only is it a calendar, it includes 365 chances to win cash prizes throughout the year! The cost is only $20.
For every calendar sold, the Alzheimer Society receives a minimum donation of $5. If we sell 100 or more, we will receive $10 per calendar!
Consider selling the calendars to your family, friends and co-workers, or purchase a few to give as gifts that show you care this holiday season!
Calendars should be available for pick up the third or fourth week of November.
If you are interested in selling Cash Calendars on behalf of the Society, please contact Katherine Breeson at 705-722-1066 or email events.simcoe@alzheimersociety.ca.
***Must be at least 19 years of age to sell or purchase calendars****
|
|
Coffee for a Cause Continues |
|
Coffee Break® continues! Thank you to all of those who have participated in our annual Coffee Break® fundraiser so far this year including:
- Angus Borden Guardian Pharmacy
- Beaver Rock™ Coffee Barrie
- Beaver Rock™ Coffee Stayner
- Blue Mountain Manor (Oxfordliving)
- Bradanick Construction
- Casa Cappuccino in Barrie
- IDA Pharmacy Wasaga Beach
- Kingsmere Retirement Residence in Alliston
- Riverwood Senior Living in Alliston
- RX Drug Mart IDA Stayner
- The Flowered Cow Tearoom
All donations received through this event directly support the programs and services we offer to those living with dementia across Simcoe County.
We will be accepting donations for our Coffee Break® campaign through to the end of the year. If you are interested in hosting a Coffee Break® or would like to make a donation, please visit www.coffeebreaksimcoe.com
|
|
At the Alzheimer Society, we are always listening to what you have to say. By understanding what you are looking for, we can help make your life a little easier by providing information that’s useful and relevant to you. When we hear from you, we also learn about where we need to improve. That’s why, after getting feedback from Canadians living with dementia, families, care partners, researchers and others, we are happy to bring you an improved, dementia-friendly Alzheimer Society website. Today, when you visit the site, you can find what you’re looking for – quicker, easier and more aligned with what you need.
Visit our new website to find information on local programs and services, events, donation options, volunteering opportunities and any other information specific to Simcoe County.
We hope you enjoy your new Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County website experience! If you would like to share your thoughts and experiences about the new website, please contact webmaster@alzheimer.ca.
|
|
Introducing our Board Secretary |
|
Valerie Powell has been connected with the Alzheimer Society for many years, first as Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Waterloo-Wellington, then through her work as a Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant in Simcoe County and Behavioural Support System Coordinator in North Simcoe Muskoka (NSM). Three years ago, Valerie was recruited to serve on the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County. Immediately, she was impressed at the professionalism of the Board. “All members are committed and knowledgeable in a specific field. There isn’t any frustration at Board meetings because we work together, contributing our expertise to find solutions and come to a consensus.”
Valerie remembers that in the early stages of our history, we had to raise all the funds necessary to provide programs and services to those living with dementia and their care partners. Today we have base funding from the NSM Local Health Integration Network, and we source grants wherever we can. However, it is a challenge to raise enough funds to meet the needs of the ever-increasing number of people with dementia. “It is important that the public knows that the funds raised by the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County are used very efficiently” says Valerie. “We need the funds we receive at our events, and from memorial and general donations so that we can support the delivery of programs and services for those living with dementia and their care partners.”
Valerie currently represents the Green Party, Simcoe North, provincially. She has served both provincially and federally four times. She is a founder and co-chair of Age-Friendly Orillia, an important “initiative to advocate for and support policies and initiatives that enable people to benefit from an active, independent and meaningful life.”
Valerie cared for her mother who had Alzheimer’s disease. She is the main carer for her husband Jamie who had a stroke about 6 years ago and lives with some cognitive issues. Valerie and Jamie have two adult children who work in the arts.
|
|
Our sincere and warmest thanks to Bradanick Construction Services Inc. for their long-time support and our congratulations on your 10th Anniversary of Coffee Break!
We would like to share their story.
Our first Coffee Break was held in 2009 and we have done one every year since then except 2011, so that makes this year our 10th year anniversary!
When our Orillia office opened in 2008 we were a staff of 6 with Jim Storey and I in the office and 4 staff in the field. During a conversation one day, we realized that his father and my father-in-law suffered from Alzheimer’s and they were both in long-term care. We understood the toll this disease had on our families and, specifically on his mother and my mother-in-law.
When my father-in-law passed away in January 2009, a member of the Alzheimer Society came to my father-in-law’s visitation and expressed appreciation that we had named the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County as one of the charities to support in lieu of flowers as they are often not a chosen charity. When the time was coming for Coffee Break that year we decided to participate. We were pleasantly surprised by the support we received from our suppliers, subcontractors and clients. Each year we have done the Coffee Break, we hear back from supporters about the impacts Alzheimer’s has had on their loved ones. We continue to support this worthwhile cause as it helps provide support to all those impacted.
Coffee Break has become a family affair with Shelley’s mother-in-law, Marion Hisey being the main baker in years past. Marion is well known in the Brechin area for making the best butter tarts in the County, this confirmed after a taste test by our friend Carey Moran, radio announcer for County 106. Members of the Hisey and Storey families, friends, staff and even suppliers contribute baked goods. When receiving more orders than they could fill last year, they reached out to a few of our amazing volunteers who helped them meet the demand. The baking alone raised over $1,200!
Baking was not an option this year, so Shelley and her four daughters teamed up to make, distribute and coordinate the making of masks. With Thimbles and Things of Orillia donating fabric, they helped with cutting, were points of contact for pick-up and deliveries, while Shelley and Marion along with Alzheimer Society volunteers Marilyn, Sherry and Donna did the sewing. They sold 50 masks and raised over $700 in donations, with Shelley’s 4-year-old great niece Sofia, selling pumpkins to contribute another $40.
Over the years, they have raised over $14,000 for the Alzheimer Society of Simcoe County and it warms our hearts that they work so hard to support our efforts in delivering critical programs and services to people living with dementia in Simcoe County. Our gratitude and thanks to the Hisey and Storey families, Bradanick Construction Services Inc., and all their friends and family who support their efforts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
