Dementia Support Group - Tip of the Month

Tip of the Month 2023

May: Scheduling Wisely (build in some flexible time, routine is important, don't cram too much in, recognize some days are more difficult than others) 

June: Find ways to provide choices (but not too many choices, two choices is the ideal, provides a feeling of some autonomy, think ahead such as a pared down menu at a restaurant some of which are dementia-friendly) 

July: Find something that promotes good sleep (limit napping as much as possible, it is easy to confuse day with night if no good sleep map is in place) 

August: Use loose-fitting clothing with big buttons and/or big zippers, elastic waists, Velcro closures (avoid shoe laces or buckles which may be too complicated)

September: Eating (hunger trigger may not go off OR they may not remember eating and complain of being hungry), swallowing or chewing may be difficult and medications may change the taste of food. Eat at regular times but you may need to adjust how frequently eating takes place as well as portions. Make it a special time (use flowers and music, eat together as patient may mimic the caregiver). Consider finger foods if using a knife and fork is difficult. Provide beverages and use straws if that is easier. This is key for caregivers as well. BONUS TIP: Holiday planning is very important as it is a chance to connect with family but can also be confusing with noise and activity. Scale back a bit and let family in on how the patient is coping. Maybe consider finger food options as a potluck dinner.

October: Have your ready-to-go bag handy. Should include a checklist for care partner, comfort items to soothe in an unfamiliar environment.

November: change your “shoulds” to “coulds” (it is a space between no longer and not yet)

December: what does it take to look after me? (general discussion)

Tip of the Month 2024

January: it is OK to create a scenario or stories to protect the individual’s dignity, eg we need to bring in some additional help not for you but for me or doctor has suggested etc (sometimes this “authority” means more than caregiver’s suggestion)

February: People living with dementia can be at risk for credit card theft, telemarketing scams, and from door-to-door solicitors. It is important to review their credit card accounts. You can look for: multiple package deliveries, sudden changes in bank account balance, overdue bills. To make things easier, you can: remove credit cards and key wallet documents, switch out credit cards for prepaid cards, make sure they carry only small amounts of cash, watch for unrecorded or duplicate cheques, register for the National Do Not Call list. This helps stop telemarketing companies from - contacting their phone number. Call 1-866-580-3625

Tip of the Month 2025

December 2025:

We met together, wearing our best Christmas togs, to discuss ways to support care partners and people living with dementia during the holiday season. It was a fulsome discusslion with many stories told and emotional support given. We are truly grateful for your contributions during our discussion.

October & November 2025:

We were very fortunate to have guest speakers at both our October and November meetings to discuss dementia and driving. This is a topic of great interest to both those diagnosed and those caring for friends or family. Our speaker in October, Dr. Frank Knoefel, a Bruyere physician and researcher shared the latest research on seniors driving challenges, how he manages conversations with patients and families about driving - continuing, stopping, modifying. The idea of an Advance Driving Directive was shared to support making those difficult decisions at the right time. In November, we were joined by Sharron Leeder, Occupational Therapist. She worked for 50 years in the hospital system and as a self-employed therapist in the community. Her areas of expertise include geriatrics, psychiatry, developmental delay, physical rehabilitation and driving rehabilitation. For 20 years, Sharron had her own company which included driver rehabilitation. She spoke about dementia and driving assessments. On the whole, these were very engaging subjects and evoked a lot of questions and stories of driving challenges and how hard a conversation this can be.

September 2025:

We once again met to talk about our theme of Dementia Planning: sooner rather than later. We discussed establishing an “estate book” to include all sorts of information including not only where your finances are held but contacts there, your will, your funeral arrangements, your living will, your Powers of Attorney, pets/vet, medications, subscriptions, doctor/dentist names & contacts, debts, passwords, SIN, etc. Great ideas expressed by the group. We also talked once again about the power of music; it is a powerful way to take someone from a foreign world to a place of knowing, even if it is just for a moment. This can help reduce depression, reduce responsive behaviour and unlock memories.

August 2025:

Thanks to everyone attending our August meeting where the discussion was wide ranging. We started off talking about legal information for caregivers, moved on to a discussion about communication with those with dementia and then talked briefly about the move to long term care.