National resource library
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Through our resource library, you can find a broad range of helpful and informational documents, videos and links related to dementia. We have resources for people living with dementia, families, caregivers, healthcare providers and more.
Some of these resources are available in print:
- You can have a copy sent to you by contacting your local Alzheimer Society.
- Your local Society can also provide you with a comprehensive collection of books, pamphlets, information sheets, videos, DVDs and audio tapes about dementia that may not be listed on this page.
- They can also give you information on local programs and services that you may find helpful.
Introduction to dementia
What is dementia? - This one-page document will introduce you to the basic facts around dementia, including the differences between dementia and normal aging, the importance of early diagnosis and what to do if you’re concerned that you or someone you know has dementia.
Also available in other languages:
- Français (French): Que sont les troubles neurocognitifs?
- हिंदी (Hindi): डिमेंशिया क्या होता है?
Dementia - In addition to providing basic information on dementia, this one-page, downloadable factsheet includes a brief summary of Indigenous views on dementia. Provided by the Native Women’s Association of Canada.
Alzheimer's disease
Other dementias
Rare types of dementia
- Corticobasal degeneration
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- Huntington disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Niemann-Pick disease type C
- Normal pressure hydrocephalus
- Parkinson’s disease
- Posterior cortical atrophy
- Progressive supranuclear palsy
- Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
Conditions related to dementia
Progression of Alzheimer’s disease
Diagnosis
Person-centred care
- PC P.E.A.R.L.S.: 7 key elements of person-centred care
- Guidelines for care: executive summary
- Guidelines for care: framework
- Person-centred language guidelines | One-page version
- All about me - A booklet designed for people living with dementia, to help them create a record of their background and what is important to them
- All about me: A conversation starter - A shorter tool that provides a “snapshot” of the person in order to start a conversation
- Meaningful Engagement of People with Dementia: A Resource Guide
Living with dementia
- Communication
- Driving
- Quality of life
- Decision-making
- Locating devices
- Personal care
- Meal times
- Living alone
- Intimacy and sexuality
- When sleep becomes an issue: Tips and strategies
- Responsive behaviours
- Shared experiences - A booklet designed to answer some of your questions and concerns about living with Alzheimer's disease (also available in audio files).
- Communication challenges and helpful strategies for the person with dementia - This brochure offers some helpful communication strategies for people with dementia who may find themselves struggling with changes in their communication ability.
- Memory tips & tricks - An information sheet for strategies to help you manage your memory problems, based on ideas and suggestions provided by people living with memory loss.
- Be Ready for an Emergency Department Visit - A joint publication between the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the Older Adult Hospital Readiness (OAHR) Research Program Team).
Caring for someone with dementia
- First steps for families | Print-friendly version
- Ways to help
- Caregiving options
- Reducing caregiver stress | Print-friendly version
- Ambiguous loss and grief in dementia: A resource for individuals and families
- Ambiguous loss and grief in dementia: Strategies for living positively with ambiguous loss and grief (a checklist)
- A handbook for care
- Meaningful visits
- Ready, Set, Plan – for care partner absence - As a caregiver, use this form to help you plan ahead for times where you may not be available to support the person you’re caring for. Note that while this form is from the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, anyone across Canada can use it.
- Young onset dementia: Facilitators resource guide
Long-term care
- Resources for long-term care
- Moving to long-term care series:
Treatment
Risk factors and genetics
Clinical trials
Programs & services
Kids and teens
Healthy living
For healthcare professionals
- The importance of early diagnosis | Print-friendly version
- Questions for family physicians and health professionals to ask when cognitive impairment is suspected
- Principles for a dignified diagnosis
- Communicating the diagnosis
- Supporting clients through ambiguous loss and grief: Strategies for healthcare providers
- Ambiguous loss and grief: What you can do to help family caregivers cope: Tips and strategies (a checklist)
- Dementia and staff grief: A resource for healthcare providers
For first responders
- First Responder Handbook - This handbook expands on the information above to provide first responders with more details on how to recognize, communicate with and respond to someone with dementia.
- 10 Communication Tips - This pocket sheet for first responders has helpful tips that anyone can use when talking to a person with dementia.
Didn't find what you are looking for? Contact us at [email protected].