Programs and services

We are here to help

Our staff and volunteers provide support programs, educational resources, referral services and more, to ease the burden of care and improve the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, as well as their caregivers and families.

Experience has shown that the earlier people begin to learn and strategize about coping with dementia, the better they are prepared and able to provide support over time.

We hope you will find relief in knowing that you are not alone and do not have to pioneer your own path; when so many have been on this journey before and have shared their learning.

The Alzheimer Society provides ongoing information and support for clients in the following areas:

• Understanding Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, including symptoms and progression
• Strategies for living well after diagnosis
• Healthy brain strategies
• Increasing safety for persons with dementia
• Reducing caregiver stress
• Dementia education for children, youth and other family members
• Navigation of the health care system
• Understanding options for care and the transition to Long Term Care
• Research and advocacy

Our services

• Support and education for individuals and families, tailored to their unique situations
• Individual support visits in your home or at one of our office locations
• Support groups for caregivers
• Support groups for persons living with dementia
• Social and recreation programs
• Education for a variety of audiences, including those directly affected by dementia, professional and non-professional care partners, and community groups

Continue to scroll down for more information about our programs and services.

Support programs

These programs offer support and improve quality of life for people living with dementia, families and caregivers.

Individual Support

Our Family Support Counsellors provide support and education to assist in the understanding of dementia symptoms, progression of the condition, planning for the future, and navigation of the health care and community support systems. This can be provided on an ongoing and individual basis, in your home, our office, by phone, or email.

Support Groups for Caregivers

Monthly support groups are available throughout our service area and provide the opportunity to connect with others in your community who are living with similar experiences.

Support Groups for People Living with Dementia

Monthly support groups for people in the early and moderate stages of dementia are also available. Members participate in brain stimulating activities and discussion about living with dementia.

For more information about these programs, contact the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton at 705-748-5131 / 1-800-561-2588 or by email at info@alzheimerjourney.ca.

Dementia education

Dementia education for people living with dementia, their families and caregivers

The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton provides many educational opportunities for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

The First Link® Learning Series is a set of programs that provide education about dementia management throughout all stages of the disease. There are several modules included in the series:

• First Steps - This four-part education series helps people living with dementia and their care partners understand their diagnosis and the changes they experience.  Participants have an opportunity to share their experiences as they learn more about what dementia is, how to adapt to changes they may experience, and what factors to consider when planning ahead and building a circle of support.
• First Steps for Care Partners - This four-part education series provides an overview of the dementia journey for care partners of people living with early-stage dementia.  Participants have an opportunity to share their experiences as they learn more about what dementia is, how to adapt to changes they may experience, and what factors to consider when planning ahead and building a circle of support.
• Care Essentials - This four-part education series aims to provide family members and friends supporting someone living with dementia with tools for managing changes due to dementia.  Participants will learn problem-solving strategies, approaches for communication and available avenues for support, all of which can strengthen their ability to provide care.
• Help in the Home:  Creating a Plan for Support - This two-part education series is designed for care partners who are just beginning to support a person living with dementia and who have not yet accessed services or have only accessed minimal services.  Participants will explore factors that contribute to the need for more assistance including risk, care partner stress and increasing care needs, while also learning more about community services that are available to them.
• Considering Residential Care Options:  Retirement & Long-Term Care Homes - This two-part education series is designed for care partners who are starting to consider the move to a residential care setting that can provide more care than they can manage at home.  This series aims to help participants understand the residential care options available to them and provides considerations for making decisions about when the right time is for long-term care.
• Moving to Long-Term Care:  Before, During & After - This two-part education series is designed for care partners who want to know more about applying to long-term care and/or are planning to move to long-term care soon and want to discuss how to prepare the person living with dementia and themselves for this move.  Participants will learn about the process of applying to long-term care and explore different strategies to consider when preparing for the transition to long-term care.
• Care in the Later Stages - This three-part education series helps family members and friends of people living with dementia understand what to expect in the later stages of dementia and provides knowledge and strategies for continuing to support the person in the late stages.

The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton also offers several dementia education workshops and seminars throughout our four county area on a variety of topics including:

• Enhancing Communication & Understanding Responsive Behaviours - this presentation will help care partners, family and friends supporting persons with dementia to identify and understand changes in communication and behaviour that often result from brain changes. Participants will learn tips and strategies for enhancing communication and addressing responsive behaviours.
• Care for the Caregiver: Recognizing & Reducing Caregiver Stress - Providing ongoing care for a person with dementia can be challenging. This presentation will help care partners to explore the impact of providing care and to identify the signs of caregiver stress when supporting a friend or family member. Participants will learn strategies for reducing caregiver stress, discuss self-care tips, and leave with resources to support them in their caregiving role.
• The Long Goodbye: Understanding Ambiguous Loss & Grief in Dementia - Ambiguous loss is a type of loss you experience when a person with dementia is physically here, but may not be mentally or emotionally present in the same way as before. Ambiguous loss is very different from the loss and grief of sudden death. It complicates grief, often making it hard to recognize or know how to grieve when the abilities of the person with dementia have changed. Please join us to learn about steps you can take to live positively with your losses and grief while caring for someone with dementia.
• Creating a Back-Up Plan for Care: A Workshop for Caregivers of People with Dementia - Caring for a person with dementia can be challenging. In addition to the day-to-day responsibilities, many caregivers struggle with the fear of what would happen if they unexpectedly became ill or unable to provide care. Although we can't predict the future, doing some planning in advance can help you feel prepared and lower your stress level. This workshop will provide you with ideas and tools to begin creating your back-up plan for care. Topics will include identifying your circle of support, safety planning, planning for future care needs, home and community-based care options, and residential care (retirement homes and long-term care).

For more information about these dementia education opportunities, please refer to our list of Upcoming Education Events.

For healthcare providers

The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton supports the ongoing learning and education of healthcare providers who are dedicated to helping people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Check out our section for healthcare providers.

For more information about these programs, contact the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton at 705-748-5131 / 1-800-561-2588 or by email at info@alzheimerjourney.ca.

More resources on dementia

Across Canada, the Alzheimer Society offers resources for people living with dementia, caregivers, families, healthcare providers and first responders.

For a full list of helpful resources, visit our online resource library.

Social and recreational programs

Programs may not be available in each area at all times. Please contact one of our offices to inquire about programming in your area.

Minds in Motion^®

This program combines physical activity along with mental and social stimulation for individuals with early to mid-stage memory loss and their care partners.

Learn more about Minds in Motion^®.

In-Home Recreation

Volunteer visiting program for people living with dementia to assist with maintaining social interaction and involvement in meaningful activities.

Young Onset Day Service

Designed for people diagnosed with young onset dementia; this is a small group program that involves outings in the community, music and arts based activities, group meals, and volunteering in the community. Day Service programs currently run in Peterborough, Lindsay, and Cobourg.

For more information about these programs, contact the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton at 705-748-5131 / 1-800-561-2588 or by email at info@alzheimerjourney.ca

Self-management programs

Taking Control of Our Lives

An eight-week, self-management program for people living with early dementia and their care partners to help them adapt to changes and develop positive strategies for managing their condition.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

One of the Central East Local Health Integration Network Self-Management Programs; our staff have been certified to provide this course to clients of the Alzheimer Society. This program is designed to help care partners take better care of themselves, through the use of tools and strategies that address the unique challenges of their caregiving situation.

For more information about these programs, contact the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton at 705-748-5131 / 1-800-561-2588 or by email at info@alzheimerjourney.ca

Public awareness

The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton provides many opportunities to learn more about dementia and the research to find a cure. Speakers are available to provide presentations for organizations and community groups of all types. Each presentation is tailored to meet your group's unique learning needs and interests.

Possible topics could include:

• What is Dementia? (an overview of the various types of dementia, warning signs, and progression)
• Heads Up for Healthier Brains (strategies for taking care of your brain health)
• How Well Do You Know Dementia? (interactive session discussing myths, realities and current statistics)
• Current research
• Alzheimer Society Programs & Services

Learn more about our Public Awareness presentations

For more information about these programs, contact the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton at 705-748-5131 / 1-800-561-2588or by email at info@alzheimerjourney.ca

Safety in the community

When Alzheimer's disease and other dementias progress, the person living with the disease has the potential to go missing. This situation presents a serious safety concern, but help and support are available.

Finding Your Way^®

Finding Your Way® is a website dedicated to helping people living with dementia, their families, caregivers and communities recognize the risk of going missing, be prepared for incidents of going missing, and ensure that people with dementia can live safely in the community.

Learn more about Finding Your Way®.

MedicAlert^® Safe and Found

MedicAlert® Safe and Found is a nationwide program designed to help identify a person living with dementia who has gone missing and ensure that they return to their family safe and sound.

Learn more about MedicAlert® Safe and Found.

How to access our services

First Link^® Program

The First Link^® program is your first step to living well with dementia. Whether you are living with dementia, or supporting someone who is, First Link connects you to health services, information and support in your community, from the time of diagnosis throughout the progression of the disease.

First Link® is about helping you and your family make informed choices so you can live better with dementia at every stage of the disease.

We accept referrals from health care providers, and other community service organizations; or you are welcome to call us yourself. When you give permission to your health care provider to make a referral to the Alzheimer Society, we will contact you directly to talk about your concerns; determine what Alzheimer Society programs would best support you; and link you to other local health services and resources that suit your situation.

Connecting with First Link® means you can:

• Receive one-on-one or group support
• Participate in our many educational workshops and seminars
• Meet other people in similar circumstances and exchange experiences
• Get help to plan your future
• Be referred to local healthcare providers and community services

First Link^® is about bringing together Alzheimer Society staff, primary care physicians and other health professionals to make it easier for you to get the help you need.

Connecting you to information, support and services...

For self-referral, please contact the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton directly at 705-748-5131 / 1-800-561-2588 or by email at info@alzheimerjourney.ca.

Access our First Link referral form here.