Hello, Reader!
The Alzheimer Society is here for you. This week, we’ve compiled more tips, resources, and ways you can be engaged during any period of isolation. Please share this newsletter with others and, as always, we would love to hear your feedback or suggestions on content you would like to see, please don’t hesitate to reach out and let us know at
[email protected]. We would love to hear from you.
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
- Phone
- Email
- Video meetings
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 further notice.
If you are interested in receiving education and support please reach out to us:
If you are a new client or are looking for general information please contact our
First Link Coordinators:
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
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Tips for Caregivers During Coronavirus
Are you caring for someone at home, supporting someone in long-term care, or looking for overall healthy tips? The Alzheimer’s Association in the U.S has provided a list of meaningful tips to help support someone living with dementia. The list is provided by the Alzheimer Association and can be found
here.
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24/7 Caregiver Helpline
The Ontario Caregiver Helpline provides caregivers with a one-stop resource for information and support. The helpline is available to all caregivers – regardless of age, diagnosis or where they live – making it the only resource of its kind in Ontario. The helpline provides 24/7 support because caregiving is not a 9-5 job.
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Guidance Documents
from Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Resources
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The Gift of Music: Sing-Along with Joanne Does!
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Joanne Does was born and raised in Woodstock. Joanne’s mother had Alzheimer’s disease which has led Joanne to want to make a difference in the lives of people living with dementia and their family members. She has produced four sing-along videos for the Alzheimer Society of Oxford.
To learn more about Joanne and to view her website, please
click here.
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Make More Art: The Health Benefits of Creativity
In 2010, the American Journal of Public Health published a review titled, The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health. You can find it
here.
In that article, researchers analyzed more than 100 studies about the impact of art on your health and your ability to heal yourself. The studies included everything from music and writing to dance and the visual arts.
As an example, here are the findings from five visual arts studies mentioned in that review (visual arts includes things like painting, drawing, photography, pottery, and textiles). Each study examined more than 30 patients who were battling chronic illness and cancer.
The Benefits of Art
Here's how the researchers described the impact that visual art activities had on the patients…
- “Art filled occupational voids, distracted thoughts of illness”
- “Improved well–being by decreasing negative emotions and increasing positive ones”
- “Improved medical outcomes, trends toward reduced depression”
- “Reductions in stress and anxiety; increases in positive emotions”
- “Reductions in distress and negative emotions”
- “Improvements in flow and spontaneity, expression of grief, positive identity, and social networks”
I don't know about you, but I think the benefits listed above sound like they would be great not just for patients in hospitals, but for everyone. Who wouldn't want to reduce stress and anxiety, increase positive emotions, and reduce the likelihood of depression?
Furthermore, the benefits of art aren't merely “in your head.”
The impact of art, music, and writing can be seen in your physical body as well. In fact,
this study
published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine used writing as a treatment for HIV patients found that writing resulted in “improvements of CD4+ lymphocyte counts.”
That's the fancy way of saying: the act of writing actually impacted the cells inside the patient's body and improved their immune system.
In other words, the process of creating art doesn't just make you feel better, it also creates real, physical changes inside your body.
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Try an Online Workout Today!
Eldergym Senior Fitness’s motto is ‘Helping Seniors Become Strong and Stable.’ This YouTube channel is filled with short videos for at-home gentle exercises and stretches that are sure to get your endorphins fired up.
Click here and try a workout today!
Curtis Adams makes seniors exercise fun! Check out his channel
here for a series of videos on strength training, cardio, core, flexibility and mobility exercises.
Breathing Exercises
We understand you may be facing unexpected challenges these days during the COVID-19 outbreak. Self-care is critical for managing stress levels, but we may not always have much time on our hands to do it. Below are two simple and quick breathing exercises that can help in easing anxiety.
4-7-8 Measured Breathing
- Take a deep breath slowly through your nose and count to 4
- Hold your breath and count to 7
- Exhale through your mouth and count to 8
- Repeat at least 4 times
Belly Breathing
- Sit or lie down in a comfortable position
- Put one hand on your belly, below your ribs, and put the other hand on your chest
- Take a deep breath slowly through your nose and inflate your belly (your chest should not move, only your belly)
- Slowly breathe out through your mouth with pursed lips (like you are whistling) and deflate your belly (blow all the air out)
- Repeat at least 4 times
How to Find Happiness During Isolation
Finding joy in your day can make a meaningful difference in your outlook.
Try these simple tips to bring happiness into your day:
- Get Cozy! Make sure you’re dressing yourself in a way that allows movement, comfort and stretch.
- Write a Gratitude List! Focus on the positive elements in your day and in your life. It will help bring positive thoughts into your mind.
- Do One Thing at a Time! Don’t overwhelm or over schedule yourself. Focus on the task at hand.
For more simple tips, visit Psychology Today Online
here for 51 ways to manage happiness.
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Comic Strips Online
Who remembers the simple joy of turning to the back of the newspaper to read the comic strips? Well, now you can find some of these beloved strips online. Check out the links below for a nostalgic throwback and a laugh.
Take a Stroll Through the British Museum
The British Museum has more than 60 online galleries waiting to be explored!
Click here to see some collections around the world!
Get Your Smile On
Who couldn’t use an extra dose of good news!? The popular website, The Good News Network, has been sharing positive stories from around the world for the last 20 years.
Click here for some uplifting and inspiring stories!
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The Best Easy Recipes Using Pantry & Freezer Staples from Abbey's Kitchen
"To help you out and to ease some anxieties, we rounded up a comprehensive list of some of our favourite EASY recipes using pantry and freezer staples from our blog and favourite food bloggers to help you get through this time of uncertainty. These recipes are super simple and very easy to modify with whatever protein, grain, veggie (fresh, frozen, or canned) or store-bought sauce that you have on hand. Happy cooking and stay safe!"
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WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT
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Sincerely
,
The staff at Alzheimer Society of Hastings-Prince Edward
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Maureen Corrigan
Executive Director
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Amelia Huffman
Fund Development Coordinator
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Petra Lepage
First Link Care Navigator
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Deborah Hierlihy
Dementia Friendly Communities
- Program Coordinator
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Karen Partridge
Education & Support Coordinator
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Sarah Krieger
Education & Support Coordinator
- Bancroft Office
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Angela Meraw
Operations & Program Manager
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Hannah Foxall
Program & Fund Development Coordinator
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Sharon Osvald
First Link Care Navigator
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Darlene Jackson
Education & Support Coordinator
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Lorraine Ross
Education & Support Coordinator
- Picton Office
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Sharon Brewster
Education & Support Coordinator
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