Information and self-referral in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington

Common topics

Common topics we receive questions on are as follows:

• Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
• Early warning signs
• Diagnosis and treatment
• Strategies to cope and improve quality of life for both the diagnosed and their partners in care
• Available community resources
• Research developments

Information can be provided via telephone, office visits, or home visits can be arranged for one of our staff members to come to you.

Information for the person living with dementia

The Alzheimer Society of KFL & A works to provide information to assist all people living with dementia. Whether you are newly diagnosed, in any stage of the disease, or simply want to learn more about the disease, we can help.

Impact of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease eventually affects all aspects of a person’s life. While everyone is different, in general, the disease will affect mental abilities, emotions and moods, behaviour, and physical abilities.

Mental abilities

Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia can affect a person’s communication, decision-making, and thought-processing abilities.

This may include:

• Trouble remembering or understanding others
• Confusion
• Difficulty performing simple tasks
• Poor judgement

Emotions and moods

Dementia can affect the way a person experiences and expresses emotions.

This may include:

• Appearing uninterested and apathetic
• Losing interest in things you once enjoyed
• Becoming more withdrawn

Behaviour

A person with dementia may start reacting different to his environment.

This may include:

• Repeating the same action or words
• Hiding possessions
• Physical outbursts
• Restlessness

Physical abilities

The disease can affect a person’s physical coordination and mobility, leading to a gradual physical decline.
This may include trouble with:

• Eating
• Bathing
• Getting dressed

Treatment options

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are therapies and medicines that can help with symptoms.

Some examples of medicines include:

• Cholinesterase inhibitors
• Memantine Hydrochloride

Other treatment options:

• Complementary and alternative health care
• Clinical trials

For more information contact the Alzheimer society at 613-544-3078 or your physician or other health care professional.

Information for the caregiver

As someone assisting in the care for someone with dementia, you undoubtedly have many questions. The staff at the Alzheimer Society aims to give partners in care all of the information they need to make informed decisions, enhance quality of life for the diagnosed and themselves, and take care of their own physical and mental health.

Learn about: 

• Daily living
• Long distance care
• Planning for the future
• Care partner support
• Self-care for the care partner
• Helping children understand dementia

Support Groups

To find out what Support Groups are available in your area please download our Support Group Brochure

You do not need to register for support groups, simply show up at the time, date and location that works best for you and introduce yourself to the facilitator.

First steps for families

The First steps for families booklet, created by the Alzheimer Society of Canada, aims to help families of people who have been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. It provides information about dealing with the diagnosis, how Alzheimer’s disease can affect your loved one, how to deal with stress and what comes next.

Finding help

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease can be a complex task. It can be frustrating, confusing, emotional draining and physically exhausting. It comes with rewards and good times as well. The Alzheimer Society of KFL & A can be a resource for information and support and you are encouraged to contact us.

To make caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease at home easier, it helps to get help with some of the day to day activities and tasks, such as personal care, cleaning, meals, household chores and taking the person to appointments.

Start by making a list of all the tasks that need to be done, and see if any family members or friends are able to help. Some help may also be available through the home health care programs in your area.

Quality care -- Guidelines for Care

The Alzheimer Society's booklet, Guidelines for Care, sets out 11 basic principles that define quality care for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, whether the person with the disease lives at home or in a long-term care facility.

Tough Issues -- Ethical Guidelines

The Alzheimer Society's Ethical Guidelines help people with the disease, families and health-care professionals raise sensitive issues such as: Do you tell the person he or she has the disease? Does the diagnosis automatically mean giving up driving? Is the person with the disease still capable of making decisions about his or her own care? The information provided in these guidelines, available through the Alzheimer’s Society, can help provide some guidance through these delicate issues.

MedicAlert^® Safely Home^® Registry

MedicAlert^® Safely Home^® assists police in finding a person who is lost and returning them safely to their home. It is a nationwide program developed by the Alzheimer Society of Canada in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Over 30,000 Canadians are registered.

Ontario community services

What community services can help me?

Check the services available in your community from the following Ontario agencies:

• Community Care Access Centres (CCAC)
• Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA)
• Ontario Home Care Association (OHCA)
• Victoria Order of Nurses (VON)
• Meals on Wheels
• South Eastern Health Line

Self-referral

Doing a self-referral will help you to:

• Get connected early to support that will follow you throughout your journey
• Learn about every step in the journey; from diagnosis to day-to-day living
• Connect to Alzheimer Society programs, and other community and health care services

Anyone can make a referral to our services; the individual diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia or their families. You do not need a referral from a physician or other health care professional to access our services.

If you are concerned about any of the early warning signs, go to your doctor. If you don’t receive the help you need, ask to be referred to a specialist. You know your body and you should speak up if you have worries about Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

We can be a great resource in helping you get the information you need. We can provide access to counselling, programs, and support services for you and your family members.