Online programming

Online education

Learn about dementia from anywhere by participating in one of our webinars or online workshops. You can attend a webinar live or watch a recording of it after the fact. Our online workshops are smaller groups with more discussion and are only available live. Learn more about our dementia education.

Webinar: Nothing about us without us: Strengthening long-term care from within | For people living with dementia, moving into long-term care can be a significant step in their journey. Join us to explore how residents and family members can play a meaningful role in improving the quality of life in long-term care settings. In this webinar, the Independent and Long-Term Care Council Association of B.C. (iLTCCABC) will join us to share: their vision for a new model of care for long-term care residents living with dementia; how resident and family councils can become actively involved in decisions that affect residents; what makes resident and family councils effective, and how they can create real change. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can make a difference in long-term care home settings! 
For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, September 17 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Webinar: Research connects: Blood and tears: Latest updates on biomarkers with Mari de Marco | Join us as Dr. Mari DeMarco discusses the latest updates on biomarkers, measurable indicators of what’s happening in the body that can be found in body fluids, organs, and tissues. Dr. DeMarco is a Clinical Chemist with expertise in protein misfolding disorders and in vitro diagnostics. She applies her expertise to build new biofluid tests for immediate use in patient care. She and her colleagues at the DeMarco Lab at St. Paul's Hospital work collaboratively with health care providers and patients to build biofluid diagnostics to fill unmet needs in medicine. For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, September 24 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Webinar: Making activities dementia friendly | Remaining active and meaningfully engaged is vital for people living with dementia to live well. Discuss how you can adapt different kinds of activities to be inclusive of the person living with the disease to help improve quality of life and enjoy your time together. For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, October 1 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Webinar: Driving and dementia | Dementia will affect a person’s ability to drive and for many people this represents a loss of independence. Discuss strategies for how to have the conversations about the topic early and ease the transition when it’s time for someone to retire from driving. For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, October 8 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Workshop: Targeted strategies for denial, paranoia, shadowing and anxiety | Learn how to identify the emotional reality of loss of insight – often misinterpreted as denial –  paranoia, shadowing and anxious behaviour. Discover effective strategies for responding to these behaviours using a person-centred approach. For caregivers.
Thursday, October 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Click here to register

Webinar: Preparing for end-of-life on the dementia journey | Learn what to expect when transitioning from advanced dementia to end-of-life. We will explore the physiological signs of dying, key decisions to be made, ways to discuss end-of-life wishes in advance and strategies to maintain connection throughout the end of the dementia journey. For caregivers.
Wednesday, October 15 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Webinar: Lived experience | Dementia unscripted | Join us for an open and honest dialogue with people who are redefining what it means to live well with dementia and mild cognitive impairment. In this candid conversation, you’ll discover how our panelists embrace life, navigate change and find joy amidst adversity. This is a unique opportunity to ask your pressing questions and dive deep into what living well with dementia truly means. For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, October 22 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Webinar: Getting your affairs in order: Health-care, legal and financial planning | Early in the dementia journey it can feel daunting to think about what lies ahead – but it’s important to plan now, before communication and decision-making become more challenging. Learn how to begin planning early for important legal, health-care and financial decisions. For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, October 29 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Coffee and Chat

We offer a social program to help you meet new people, engage in social activities and have fun. Learn more about the program.

When: Every second Thursday, 11 a.m. to noon.
For people living with early-stage dementia.

Register: Call the First Link^® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033.

Minds in Motion^®

Discover our fitness and social program tailored for individuals with early-stage dementia, promoting wellness and connection. Weekly online groups are free to attend. Learn more about the program.

When:

• Mondays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. (English)
   
• Mondays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. (Punjabi)
   
• Fridays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. (English)

Register: Call the First Link^® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033 (English) or 1-833-674-5003 (Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu).

Online Support Groups

Join our virtual support groups for caregivers and connect with an online community that understands and supports you. Learn more about our support groups.

Please note: Due to the high level of interest in our support groups for people living with dementia and caregivers, we are only listing groups with space for new members. If you're interested in joining a support group not listed here, please call the First Link^® Dementia Helpline.

General support group
Open to caregivers anywhere in B.C. who are currently caring for a person living with dementia.
2nd Monday of the month, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
1st Tuesday of the month, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
2nd Friday of the month, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
3rd Thursday of the month, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

General support group (Punjabi/Hindi)
Open to caregivers anywhere in B.C. who speak Punjabi or Hindi and are currently caring for a person living with dementia.
For more information, call the South Asian First Link^® Dementia Helpline at 1-833-674-5003.

General support group (Mandarin)
Open to anyone in B.C. who speaks Mandarin and is currently caring for a person living with dementia.
For more information, call the First Link^® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033 (English) or 1-833-674-5007 (Cantonese and Mandarin)

Adult children support group
Open to caregivers anywhere in B.C. who are caring for a parent living with dementia.
2nd Wednesday of the month, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Young onset support group
Open to caregivers anywhere in B.C. who are caring for a person living with dementia who was diagnosed before the age of 65.
For more information, please call the First Link^® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033.

Long-term care support group
Open to caregivers anywhere in B.C. who are caring for a person living with dementia in a long-term care home.
3rd Tuesday of the month, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
3rd Tuesday of the month, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

2SLGBTQIA+support group
Open to 2SLGBTQIA+ caregivers or caregivers of a person living with dementia who identifies as 2SLGBTQIA+ anywhere in B.C.
1st Wednesday of the month, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Early stage support group
Open to people living with early symptoms of dementia to discuss the impact of the disease, share stories, experiences and learn from one another about how to live well with dementia.
Every other Wednesday, 10 to 11 a.m. *telephone only*

Lewy body dementia support group
Open to caregivers anywhere in B.C. who are caring for a person living with Lewy body dementia.
For more information, please call the First Link^® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033.

BvFTD support group
Open to caregivers anywhere in B.C. who are caring for someone with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia.
For more information, please call the First Link^® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033.

Online Campus

Our online campus is designed to deliver engaging, accessible and relevant education to people impacted by dementia through online e-learning courses. 

An e-learning course is similar to an online workshop, where participants learn about dementia through videos, readings and interactive activities. The difference is an e-learning course can be taken anytime, anywhere you have access to an electronic device and internet connection, and at your own pace, because we understand that flexibility is important. Visit our online campus here.

For our in-person programming, click here.