Dementia Support Group - Educational Resources
Educational Resources 2023
May: Dementia613.ca (look up businesses which have gone through dementia-friendly training, offered by Dementia Society for carers and patients).
June: Assistive Technologies for People with Dementia
August: Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) https://dementiahelp.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/GDS_Communication_EN_onepager.pdf
September: Pedal power bike pedals available through the Dementia Society. There are videos of various routes to keep it interesting along with music as well a YouTube videos. The caregiver should use this with them so that everyone feels involved. https://dementiahelp.ca/blog/pedal-power-biking-around-the-world-at-home/
October: Ready to go bag https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/im-caring-person-living-dementia/ensuring-safety-security/emergency-room-visit-prep
Bonus Resource: Memory Workout Guide: https://the-ria.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/BUFU_Memory_Workout_eversion.pdf
November: repetitive behaviour https://dementiahelp.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Repetitive-behaviours.pdf
December: no resource as this was a general discussion
Educational Resources 2024
January: McGill University resources are available in both French and English https://www.mcgill.ca/dementia/
February: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/finance/fraud.html
Educational Resources 2025
February: Our topic for the month is dealing with the stigma which surrounds a dementia/Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Our resource is Flippingstigma.com. In addition, there is wonderful information at https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/stigma-against-dementia
March: We continued our discussion of stigma which surrounds a dementia/Alzheimer’s diagnosis and learned about the Defy Dementia podcast (www.baycrest.org/podcast). In addition, Pauline suggested we check out www.changeltcnow.ca This is associated with CARP.
April: We had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. German Chique-Alfonzo, Director of Education and Programs at the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County. He spoke further about the stigma associated with a dementia diagnosis and pointed out the five areas where these can manifest itself. As a resource, he recommended studying the World Alzheimer Report 2024 (http://www.alzint.org/resource/world-alzheimer-report-2024/)
July: I Heard There Was a Secret Chord: Music As Medicine written by Daniel Leviton. Yes, this is a paean to Leonard Cohen’s song of the same name. Here’s what Thriftbook had to say:
Music is one of humanity's oldest medicines. From the Far East to the Ottoman Empire, Europe to Africa and the pre-colonial Americas, many cultures have developed their own rich traditions for using sound and rhythm to ease suffering, promote healing, and calm the mind.
In his latest work, neuroscientist and New York Times best-selling author Daniel J. Levitin (This Is Your Brain on Music) explores the curative powers of music, showing us how and why it is one of the most potent therapies today. He brings together, for the first time, the results of numerous studies on music and the brain, demonstrating how music can contribute to the treatment of a host of ailments, from neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, to cognitive injury, depression, and pain.
Levitin is not your typical scientist--he is also an award-winning musician and composer, and through lively interviews with some of today's most celebrated musicians, from Sting to Kent Nagano and Mari Kodama, he shares their observations as to why music might be an effective therapy, in addition to plumbing scientific case studies, music theory, and music history. The result is a work of dazzling ideas, cutting-edge research, and jubilant celebration. I Heard There Was a Secret Chord highlights the critical role music has played in human biology, illuminating the neuroscience of music and its profound benefits for those both young and old.
In addition, here’s the link for the OCO Dancing With Dementia program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knPfjARYkJc&ab_channel=OntarioCaregiverOrganization%28OCO%29
Additionally, here is the link for the National Ballet School sharing dance with older adults: https://www.nbs-enb.ca/dance-for-life/sharing-dance-older-adults/
August: On September 11th, there is an event sponsored by OCO on understanding legal information for caregivers. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/understanding-legal-information-for-caregivers-tickets-1421740787969?aff=ebdsoporgprofile We also talked about the move to long-term care. Here is your link: https://fco.ngo/news/making-the-move-to-lng-term-care There is a new Schlegel Village home being built at 100 Smyth Road. September: https://www.cpp.ca/blog/end-of-life-planning-checklist/ and https://alzheimer.ca/bc/sites/bc/files/documents/Landmark-2_Infographic.pdf November: https://youtu.be/OIRlkXUQbIg and ontario.ca , then google medical review to obtain more information about driving.
December: YouTube video Q&A Reducing Holiday Caregiver Stress with Dr. Patrick McGrath, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XIalkomVjg and Christmas Ideals 2025 published by Guidepost (available through Indigo at approx. $19.99). Celebrate the wonder and hope of this holiday season with Christmas Ideals, a time-honored tradition and family favorite. Continuing its legacy of holiday cheer and warmth, this Ideals annual Christmas edition is a collection of poetry, essays, quotations, recipes, and Bible excerpts. Each carefully chosen selection from authors such as C.S. Lewis, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Pamela Kennedy is complemented by full-color artwork or beautiful photography to inspire and remind readers about
the meaning of Christmas. For more than 80 years, loyal readers and their families have been drawn to Ideals as a time-honored tradition each Christmas. https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/christmas-ideals-2025/9781546008699.html