Health News For Renfrew County

Thursday, December 10, 2020

The Demential Society Of Ottawa And Renfrew County

The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County - Weekly Round-Up

Welcome to Your Weekly Round-Up

Brain-Friendly Activities and Information!

The Dementia Society: No Referral, No Wait List, No Fees

The Dementia Society is a community of support for people living with dementia, their caregivers, and families. If you suspect you may have memory troubles, or a family member has recently received a diagnosis, call us.

If you need information about behavioural changes in a person living with dementia – especially now during the pandemic and social isolation—we can help. Or your nerves are frayed and you need someone who will listen and understand. These are all valid questions and needs. Our trained, bilingual Dementia Care Coaches are here to help from 8:30 am – 8 pm Monday-Thursday, and 8:30 am – 4 pm on Friday.

Reach out, because no one should face dementia alone.

La Société de la démence : Aucun besoin de se faire référer. Pas de liste d’attente ni de frais

La Société de la démence soutient les personnes atteintes de démence, et leurs membres de la famille ainsi que les personnes à l’appui. Si vous soupçonnez un défi de mémoire ou si un membre de votre famille a récemment obtenu un diagnostic, sentez-vous à l’aise de nous appeler. Nous sommes là pour vous.

La Société de la démence est là pour vous offrir de l'information sur les défis et les changements qu’une personne atteinte de démence subit. Il est certainement plus pertinent aujourd’hui lors de la période de la pandémie qui augmente les risques de l’isolement social. Nous pouvons vous aider.

Tout le monde a parfois besoin d’une écoute attentive et de se sentir comprit. Toutes les questions et les besoins peuvent être discutés.

Nous avons des personnes bilingues spécialisées et formées en démence. Nous sommes là pour vous aider de 8 h 30 à 20 h du lundi au jeudi et de 8 h 30 à 16 h les vendredis.

tel:613-523-4004
tel:1-888-411-2067
info@dsorc.org

In this week's Round-Up

Your Community of Support Online and In-Person

NEW - With support groups not being able to meet in person at this time, we have consolidated in-person groups to the following virtual meetings:

Tuesdays: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Wednesdays: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Thursdays: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Themed support groups will continue to meet once monthly, online. These groups support the needs of:

You can attend as many meetings as you find helpful. Like all our support programs during the pandemic, there are no fees.

Click for more Information

Research Opportunties

Carleton University is launching a Mental Health and Well-being Research and Training Hub (MeWeRTH). The hub is composed of researchers, students, and community partners with a shared interest in mental health, well-being, and resilience. Taking place on Thursday, December 10^th, from 2:30pm - 4:00pm, the online launch will showcase research on the theme of “Translating mental health and well-being research: Being well amid COVID-19”. Topics include solitude, gambling, the benefits of urban greenness on depression and sleep quality, using nature to cope, work-life balance, and substance use. The event is free, and all are welcome to attend. To learn more and to register for the event, please go here

Be a part of life-changing research with Bruyère - Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer's disease? Join in advancing dementia care and research - click here for more information.

Did You Know?

Relationships help us build identity and connections. As dementia progresses, you might notice changes in your relationships. These changes might occur between you and the person living with dementia. You might also see changes in relationships with family members or friends. You may be wondering whether this is normal and how to approach these changes. Learn more about changing relationships and what is normal.

Live Events

Mark your calendar for these upcoming LIVE events.
Dementia Society live events offer the opportunity for real-time interaction,
Q&A with dementia experts, and a direct connection to your community of support.

Education this week:

Supporting Dementia

Tuesday, December 8 @ 1 pm - Join us for the last Supporting Dementia learning series of 2020 - The Supporting Dementia learning series is for caregivers of people living with dementia. This 2 part series will provide you with information about symptoms that may accompany the progression of dementia, as well as the opportunity to learn strategies for support.

Tuesday, December 8 @ 2 pm - Pause, restore, and recenter your energy to support your overall wellbeing. Join the Mindfulness for Caregivers series hosted by Jessica Lemieux (MSW, RSW), a registered social worker, therapist, and meditation teacher. In these revitalizing 15 minute sessions, Jessica uses gentle movement, visualization, soothing sounds, contemplative exercises and includes a psycho-educational component.

Art and Music

Musical Connections

Music stimulates memories, reduces anxiety, and provides opportunity for shared activity with loved ones.

Monday's @ 10:30 am - Join Musical Connections with Chris White - To register and for more information click here

Tuesday's @ 3:30 pm - Join Anne for Musical Connections and Joyful Song - To register and for more information click here

Every Second Wednesday @ 6:00 pm - Musical Connections - Arabian Tunes - sing both familiar and popular songs, accompanied by the Arabic Music Leader Sam Himmat and the singer Marsil Al Sulaiman. To register and for more information click here.

Thursday's @ 3:30 pm - Join Musical Connections with the Key to Happiness - To register and for more information click here

Click here for all our Upcoming Programs

Always-On Programming

The Dementia Society offers a wealth of on-demand programming available to you on your own time. Education, entertainment, and dementia-tailored activities are just a click away, when you need and want them.

On-Demand Education

We are now entering unchartered territory, with the holiday season fast approaching, during normal times this would cause many of us anxiety. Right now in a pandemic and social isolation, this anxiety is much greater for everyone and even more so for caregivers. Watch the webinar "Anxiety and Caregiving: Tips and Tools to deal with Anxiety in this Environment" it will entertain and educate you on what this “new normal” looks like and how to deal with all the emotions and challenges that come with it. Bringing the knowledge of “lived experience” from both perspectives, Robyn with her humor and frank and honest candor, and Charlotte with her openness of being a caregiver and the life that brings both the good and the “not so good”, you will leave with the hope of “I have got this” and “I am not alone”. (31mins:17secs) Click here to watch this video on our YouTube Channel.

In-Home Programs

Make a Connection, Take a Break!

With in-person programs suspended, people living with dementia currently have few options for social connections. That's why we developed the Make a Connection, Take a Break program; take a break from isolation and connect with a new friend. We match a person living with dementia with a compatible volunteer who will regularly make time to connect by phone or any number of virtual platforms like ZOOM - or whatever works best. With your input, our trained multi-lingual volunteers can engage meaningfully with their match, so everyone feels valued and safe. For more information and to register, click here.

Interested in volunteering and connecting with someone? Click here for more information on how you can volunteer in our Take-a-Break Program.

Activity Packages

Looking for a fun activity package, but don't know which one to pick? Try our "Surprise! Meaningful Activity Package"! You'll get a random variety of brain-stimulating activities to work on, all in a convenient pickup package.

There are so many different games, activities, and projects that you could get in your Surprise! Meaningful Activity Package.

Part of the fun is opening up the kit and finding out which activities you've gotten by luck of the draw!

Order Here

Fidget blankets are a great tool to help fight anxiety and keep you engaged!

Each blanket comes with a variety of buttons, zippers, buckles, and other fun trinkets to keep the hands busy while restoring calm and peace of mind.

Product images courtesy of Hillcrest Stitchery; Special thanks to Hillcrest Stitchery for supporting the Meaningful Activities program!

Order Here

Pedal Power

One of our most popular programs, Pedal Power is a foot pedal loan program that sets you up to cycle in the comfort of your home. We provide the pedals and you’re on your way – it’s easier than riding a bike and with the cold weather approaching it's a great alternative! To learn more click here.

Order Pedals Today

On-Demand Activities

Get crafty! A series of Arts and Minds classes are now available on the Dementia Society’s t o view them please click here. Pick from (painting, drawing, specific examples) classes to find the instructor-led session that best suits your interests.

For the joy of music join in for the Circle of Song, our on-demand music program. Join Jennifer Noxon for a sing-a-long style music program featuring your favourites at any time that suits you. Find her playlist on our YouTube Channel here. Music lifts the spirits and helps us to reminisce.

The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County (Ottawa)

1750 Russell Rd., Suite 1742 Ottawa, ON, K1G 5Z6
613-523-4004 or 1-888-889-6002
info@dsorc.org

Hours:
Monday - Thursday,
8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday - 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County (Renfrew County)

115-16 Edward St. South Arnprior, ON, K7S 3W4
1-888-411-2067 renfrewcounty@dsorc.org

Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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