Your Alzheimer Society E-Newsletter for June 2023 is here!

June 2023 E-Newsletter

Local Programs & Updates

Special thanks to our volunteers, walkers, donors and contributors! Thank you to our refreshment donors:

Bayview Chartwell Retirement, Gateway Community Health Centre, and Riverstone Retirement

DONATIONS CONTINUE TO BE

ACCEPTED UNTIL JULY 1:

www.walkforalzheimers.ca

613-962-0892 - 613-476-2085 - 613-332-4614

#IGWalkforAlz Local Coverage:

https://www.countylive.ca/alzheimer-walk-raises-funds-to-serve-local-needs/

https://www.bancroftthisweek.com/bancroft-walk-for-alzheimers-raises-over-11000/

https://inquinte.ca/story/community-steps-up-for-alzheimer-society-of-hastings-prince-edward

The First Link Learning Series offers a comprehensive overview of dementia, coping strategies, resources and support systems. Throughout the series participants are offered the opportunity to share and connect with others embarking on the dementia journey. The various courses include First Steps, Care Essentials, Options for Care, and Care in the Later Stages.

First Steps For Care Partners and/or People Living with Dementia

This course of the First Link Learning Series provides an introduction to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This program is for care partners and/or persons living with dementia with various group formats available. Topics covered include: types of dementia, changes in the brain, coping strategies, planning for the future, managing risks and community resources.

Next sessions: July 4, 11, 18, 25

Contact: karen.partridge@alzheimerhpe.ca

Care Essentials

This course for family caregivers and care partners offers problem solving strategies related to communication, responsive behaviours, caregiver burnout and expected changes in mid-stage progression of the illness. Next sessions: August 1, 8, 15, 22

Contact: kim.aide@alzheimerhpe.ca

Options for Care

This course for family caregivers and care partners assists the participants to evaluate their current caregiving needs and explore other available care options, including in-home care, adult day programs and long-term care.

Date: July 10, 17, 24

contact: lisa.young@alzheimerhpe.ca

Care in the Later Stages

This course helps family caregivers and care partners understand what to expect in the later stages of dementia. This module will also explore how participants can provide comfort to the person as well as review the experiences of grief and loss.

Date: August 14, 21, 28

Contact: Ben.wright@alzheimerhpe.ca

Sponsorships also available beginning at $150 - contact trisha.clancy@alzheimerhpe.ca today!

Donations can be dropped off during regular office hours (Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm) at the front desk. To discuss your donation or find out more please call us at 6139620892. Please do not leave donations outside of regular business hours or outside the office doors. Monetary donations also appreciated.

Two local Personal Support Workers (PSW’s) were presented with the Meagher Award for Excellence in Dementia Home Care in honour of Personal Support Worker Day (Friday, May 19th, 2023).

Local families, co-workers, employers and organizations were able to nominate a PSW for this special community award and recognition. Nominations were accepted until April 21st, and submissions were received by a committee including ASHPE staff members Sarah Bradshaw (Operations and Program Manager), and Lisa Young (Education and Support Coordinator), community member Elizabeth D’Anjou, and family representative Jenoa Meagher. T

his year’s winners were Kassandra Patfield (nominated by her employer), and Janet Dies (nominated by a care partner and client). The award consisted of a $500 prize and learning resources about dementia. The winner’s name will be displayed on exhibit in the Alzheimer Society office and the winners each took home a framed certificate for their own display.

The funds for this award are generously provided by the Meagher family. Jean Meagher was a founding member of the Alzheimer Society of Belleville-Hastings-Quinte (now the Alzheimer Society of Hastings-Prince Edward), working tirelessly to build support groups and resources to help families traveling the Alzheimer journey. She was inspired by her husband’s illness, seeing the need for herself and for others to learn more about the disease and to share ideas for coping with the challenges that Alzheimer’s disease brings. The care that William received at home allowed Jean to pursue her dreams of creating an Alzheimer Society chapter, to support others living with dementia and to give herself a much-needed break.

The Meagher family realized that the home care workers rarely received the recognition they deserve and wished to create a tribute to their work. The result is an award, named after Jean and William Meagher, to be presented to a candidate who is a qualified Personal Support Worker (PSW), caring for someone with dementia in the home in Hastings County, Prince Edward County or Brighton.

Other Resources and Information

Voices from Northern Ontario: Live Premiere Screening

Directed by multiple award-winning documentary filmmaker Elisa Paloschi and funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and the Resilient Communities Fund, Voices from Northern Ontario is a powerful story that bears witness to the issues confronting families living with dementia.

Join us on Tuesday, June 20^th at 6:30 p.m. for a live community screening of Voices from Northern Ontario.

The film challenges us to push aside stigmas start a conversation with family members and friends who are impacted by the disease. And it reminds us that love is never really lost, even in the face of dementia.

The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with Alzheimer Society Executive Directors Terry Caporossi, Stéphanie LeClair, and Tracy Koskamp-Bergeron.

Unable to attend the live screening? No worries! The film will be available on Youtube and Facebook as well as on our website.

Stay tuned for more news on Voices from Northern Ontario in the coming weeks!

June is National Indigenous History Month in Canada, a time to recognize the rich history, heritage, resilience and diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. June 21st is also National Indigenous Peoples Day. Learn more:

June 21st: National Indigenous Peoples Day

https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1100100013718/1534874583157

National Indigenous History Month:

https://canada.ca/national-indigenous-history-month

The Alzheimer Society stands united with the LGBTQ2S+ community and continuously strives to foster an environment that is a safe space for all clients to be their true selves so they can receive the best dementia support possible.

When providing care to a person living with dementia, whether you or they self-identify as part of the LGBTQ2S+ community, or not, there are many steps you can take to ensure that you are creating a safe space. Need more information?

https://alzheimer.ca/on/en/help-support/lgbtq2s-dementia

The Alzheimer Society of Hastings-Prince Edward was honoured to received over $5500 from the Prince Edward County Municipal Grant program through Prince Edward County and the County Foundation. These funds will support monthly support group programming costs and other local County services.

Learn more:

https://thecountyfoundation.ca/municipal-community-grant-recipients-2023/

The Alzheimer Society of Hastings-Prince Edward was pleased to receive a grant for $1000 from the Brian Todd Memorial Community Fund to help promote and spread awareness about our local programs and services in Brighton. Learn more:

https://www.brightontoday.ca/2023/06/07/community-spotlight-15-years-of-giving-to-the-community-the-brian-todd-memorial-community-fund/

Today, June 15th is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. We want to recognize the incredible contributions seniors make to our communities. We are grateful for the knowledge and support from our senior population and hope to continue to be able to work together to build safe and inclusive communities for all.

June is Seniors Month in Ontario, a time to recognize the significance of older adults in our communities and promote social and physical activities in the community. To find out how to stay active in your community, check out the programs at your local Alzheimer Society. Find out more at the link: https://bit.ly/3OMnad7

Have you heard the news about Leqembi?

A treatment is coming. Ontario isn’t ready.

The Alzheimer Society of Ontario is pleased to report that on May 16^th, lecanemab (brand name Leqembi)—a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease—was submitted to Health Canada for its consideration and possible approval for use in Canada.

If approved, Leqembi would be Canada’s first treatment for Alzheimer’s disease – not just its symptoms.

We are on the right path to fight this disease, but Ontario is not ready. Leqembi, along with other promising treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, require early detection and diagnosis to be most effective. Ontario still needs more dementia specialists, better access to treatment, and shorter wait times to ensure we get the introduction of this treatment to Canada right.

Read our full statement:

https://alzheimer.ca/on/sites/on/files/documents/Leqembi%20Submission%20Release_May%2017%202023_EN.pdf