Hello, Reader!

We are certainly in unprecedented times, but the good news is that we are in this together. We, at the Alzheimer Society of Hastings & Prince Edward, want to reassure you that we continue to be here to support you.

For the next few weeks, we will be sending out a weekly newsletter with news and updates from our teams on modified programming, self-care tips, and suggestions for online recreation activities. We want to stay connected with you and this communication, we hope, will help you stay connected to us, too.

The Alzheimer Society of Hastings-Prince Edward want you to know, we are evolving our practices and forms of service delivery to ensure we continue to be here to meet your needs. 

Our goal is to support our service area by reducing the spread of the virus amongst the most vulnerable populations and finding ways to support those living with dementia and their caregivers. 

We are suspending all “in person programming” for the time being in an attempt to keep our clientele safe.

Please know we are dedicated to being the lifeline so many need through their dementia so we are looking at ways to deliver service by

Please note this means all: individual and family appointments (in home or in office, all support groups, platemates, Caregiver refill, MiM, Memory Cafés are changed – we will NOT meet in person until the Week of April 13 or later. 

If you are interested in receiving education and support please reach out to us:

Belleville & Area: [email protected]

Centre Hastings: [email protected]

North Hastings: [email protected]

Prince Edward County & Tyendinaga: [email protected]

Quinte West & Brighton: [email protected]

If you are a new client or looking for general information please contact our

First Link Coordinators:

[email protected]

[email protected]

If you don't want to receive this weekly newsletters for the time being but you want to continue to receive our monthly edition please reply to this email and let us know

RELEVANT RESOURCES

Addictions and Mental Health Services

Effective 9:00 a.m. on Thursday March 26, 2020, AMHS-HPE is expanding services to include an “Addictions and Mental Health Pandemic Helpline” for the residents of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, who are experiencing difficulties coping with their mental health or substance use issues as a result of the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Click here to learn more.

Hand & Personal Hygiene in Dementia Care

The goal of hand and personal hygiene in dementia care is to establish behaviours that enable

abilities and improve hygienic practices in an environment that has been set up for success. A

few key points need to be considered when helping a person with dementia to wash their hands

regularly – and often – thereby establishing important hygienic routines.  Download the resource guide here.

SE Ontario Lived Experience Network

At this time of pandemic isolation is a necessity and comes with it more concerns and challenges. We hope everyone is staying well and safe. We would like to have a conversation about those concerns and challenges. We would also appreciate any suggestions that have been useful to cope with this difficult situation. The discussion board is open for dialogue. Click here sign into the discussion platform.

Older TV

DementiAbility has created a free YouTube Channel with multiple resources to watch Older TV.  From Tetley Tea Commercials to a Lucille Ball marathon. Click here to watch.

Guidance Documents

from Hastings Prince Edward Public Health

Visit their website here for alerts, FAQs and additional resources.

Resources

Guidance Documents

from the Government of Ontario

Guidance documents have been produced for a number of health sectors related to COVID-19. These documents currently refer to the previous case definition. These guidance documents are updated regularly, please visit www.health.gov.on.ca for more information.

ALZEDUCATE PLATFORM

Did you know that you can take free dementia courses and webinars online? We have topics like Dementia 101, Caregiver Stress, and Long-Distance Caregiving. To register and access these courses, please click here.

CAREGIVER

RESOURCE GUIDE

Caregiving is a 24/7 job. The Caregiver Resource Guide addresses many questions you may have about Alzheimer’s and dementia, different stages of the disease, warning signs and myth-busting, as well as treatment options and programs and services. The guide has been provided by the Alzheimer Society of Toronto and is available in several languages. Click here to access your copy. 

HOST 'ANYTHING FOR ALZ'

FUNDRAISE ONLINE WITH FACEBOOK

By fundraising through Anything for Alzheimer’s, you’ll become part of an invaluable collective of individuals, corporate and community groups who are dedicated to making a difference for caregivers and people living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.

The Alzheimer Society is dedicated to helping anyone concerned with or facing dementia have the confidence and skills to maintain quality of life, to ensuring that public policy and perceptions reflect the issues and reality, to securing funding for support and research and to raising awareness about the disease.

BUILDING OUR WAY TO

A DEMENTIA FRIENDLY

HASTINGS-PRINCE EDWARD

In March, our Dementia Friendly Communities training was offered to second year students enrolled in Loyalist College’s Recreation and Leisure Services-Sports courses. Offered as a session within the Adaptive Programming course, these students were exploring the meaning of inclusive fitness and recreation with an emphasis on designing and implementing programming for individuals with a variety of physical, social or cognitive exceptionalities.  

The Dementia Friendly training enhanced awareness and understanding of dementia and warning signs that recreation and sports professionals may encounter. The training also highlighted strategies to encourage the participation of persons living with dementia and care partners in a variety of activities from group fitness and recreation to physical therapy and individual exercises done in the home. Congratulations to the students graduating this term and thank you for doing your part to foster Dementia Friendly Communities!

Let's talk about Dementia Awareness Training for your organization, service or business.

What do participants gain from the training?

March 21 2020 - " People finding creative ways to connect with their loved ones and letting them know that they're loved ... and we LOVE this!"

These photos were shared by Moira Long-Term Care Home on there Facebook page - Visit their Facebook here

March 22nd 2020 - "Inventive ways to visit with family. If you want to wave and say hello to one of our residents, please give me a call Mon-Fri at 613-392-9235 ext 125. We will do what we can to get your loved one to their room or down to the sunroom. Stay safe everyone! -Sarah"

These photos were shared by Trent Valley Lodge on their Facebook page - Visit their Facebook here

People who exercise regularly are less likely to develop heart disease, stroke and diabetes, which are all associated with an increased risk of dementia.

Physical activity also pumps blood to the brain, which nourishes the cells with nutrients and oxygen, and may even encourage new cells. As well, regular exercise helps to reduce stress and improve your mood.

FREE GENTLE FITNESS CLASS

Join The Alzheimer Society of Toronto for a 1-hour online session of Gentle Fitness! March 31 10am-11am.

This program uses easy to follow movements to build strength and flexibility while conditioning your body. The sessions are adapted and sensitive to all levels of agility and are suitable for individuals who want the support of being seated throughout the class.

Click here to learn more and register

ARE YOU UP FOR A 60 MINUTE GENTLE EXERCISE CHALLENGE?

Keeping active may be more challenging these days, but it is still possible. Click here for a gentle exercise program created by the National Institute of Aging. In the video, specifically created for seniors, Go4Life fitness instructor, Sandy Magrath, leads older adults through a sample workout featuring a warm-up; strength, flexibility, and balance exercises; and a cool down with stretches.

Give your brain a boost! Did you know that doing puzzles like crosswords and word searches is a great way to keep your brain active? Maintaining a healthy diet and choosing the right foods is a great way to boost the nutrition that feeds your brain. We will work hard to provide you with monthly updated puzzles, recipe links and exercises to keep your brain healthy.

OTHER FUN ACTIVITIES

"Boost your brain by choosing healthy foods. Healthy food choices not only improve your general health, they are also beneficial to brain health. The Alzheimer Society of Canada recognizes the significant investment of time and effort caregivers offer to those with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. At some stages, meal preparation can also offer an opportunity for activities and routines for people with dementia." - The Alzheimer Society of Canada

CBS New York, March 21 2020

Nutritionist Offers Advice On How To

Eat Well During Coronavirus Quarantine

Sincerely ,

The staff at Alzheimer Society of Hastings-Prince Edward