Education Opportunities
We offer various learning opportunities to help families and friends continue to enhance their knowledge of dementia. These sessions will be hosted by an Alzheimer Society staff member either in-person or online.

How To Access Our Virtual Education Sessions
If you would like to participate in our on-line programs, please:
- Use a computer, tablet or iPad to install Zoom (download instructions):
- On a computer, go to https://zoom.us/ and download and install the platform. (Top right corner, it’s safe, easy and free! May take about 5 minutes.)
- On an iPad, go to the App Store and install "Zoom Cloud Meetings".
- On a tablet, go to the Google Play Store and install "Zoom Cloud Meetings".
- Choose any online educational opportunity from the list below and click "Click here to register"
- You will be sent a confirmation email with the instructions for accessing your session.
- If you have questions about the Zoom platform, please email Sarah Cook ([email protected]) for more detailed instructions.
To watch our past online sessions, please check out our Video Resources page.
Upcoming Virtual Education Sessions
SEPTEMBER VIRTUAL EDUCATION SESSIONS
Types of Dementia
Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at 10:30 am
Did you know that there are many different causes of dementia, including both reversible and irreversible types? In this education session, we will explore some of the most common types of dementia, their warning signs and symptoms.
Who should attend: Open to everyone!
Link to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvdOqtqTgiGdI-k9B__XEvXRh_mwDvAGmp
Heads Up For Healthier Brains
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 10:30 am
The brain is one of your most vital organs, playing a role in every action and every thought. Just like the rest of your body, it needs looking after. It's never too soon, or too late to make changes that will maintain or improve your brain health. This presentation offers tips and strategies about how we can all take action to maintain or even improve our brain health as we age. Participants learn about the brain health benefits of challenging the brain, reducing stress, eating well for brain health, being physically active, being socially active, protecting the head, making healthy choices, volunteering and how it contributes to brain health.
Who should attend: Open to everyone!
Link to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqcOCgqTwpHtfU-qq2vDR2dp47Q1aA6Usc
OCTOBER VIRTUAL EDUCATION SESSIONS
Enhancing Communication
Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 10:30 am
This education session will help care partners, family and friends supporting persons with dementia to identify and understand changes in communication that often result from brain changes. Participants will learn tips and strategies for making communication more successful.
Who should attend: Care partners, family members, and friends of people living with dementia
Link to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEpf-iuqjIvHtUkSQaz6G3GPEQirD4tPTwy
Understanding Behaviour Changes
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 10:30 am
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can impact the brain in many ways. As a result of brain changes, people living with dementia may experience physical, emotional, mental, and cognitive changes. They may also experience behavioural changes. The symptoms of dementia can affect how a person will think and act. In this education session, we will explore the most common behaviour changes that can occur in dementia, and some tips and strategies for understanding and addressing them.
Who should attend: Care partners, family members, and friends of people living with dementia
Link to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpd-ChqDIsG9NjkroqB0zrUqeM_ii-3DNb
Recognizing & Reducing Caregiver Stress
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 10:30 am
This education session helps caregivers to recognize the signs of stress and offers tips and strategies for reducing stress.
Who should attend: Care partners, family members, and friends of people living with dementia
Link to register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqcO-hqz8uG9BroFtgAdTYRtlTkwE1TB40
If you have any questions, please contact a member of our Education Team:
Shelby Barrie - Client Education Coordinator
Kris Van Luven - Education Coordinator
Sarah Cook - Education Program Manager
Phone: (705) 748-5131 or 1-800-561-2588. Please leave a voicemail at ext. 222.
We encourage you to visit the Video Resources section of our website to view recordings of our past Zoom education sessions!
Upcoming In-Person Education Opportunities
SEPTEMBER SESSIONS
Understanding Ambiguous Loss & Grief in Dementia Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
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.
Who Should Attend: care partners, family and friends supporting persons living with dementia
This series is offered FREE of charge, but spaces are limited. Registration is required for this program. Please see here for more information and registration details.
Care Essentials: A First Link Learning Series for Care Partners
Wednesdays, September 20, 27, October 4, 11 (October 18 is a back-up date if needed) 2023 at 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Family members and care partners of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are invited to attend this learning series.
Participants will learn about the link between brain changes and behaviour, problem solving strategies, new approaches for communication, and how to best support daily activities. Participants will also learn about other resources to support them in their role as a care partner.
This series is offered FREE of charge, but spaces are limited. Registration is required for this program. Please see here for more information and registration details.
OCTOBER SESSIONS
First Steps: A First Link Learning Series
Mondays, October 16, 23, 30, November 6, 2023 (November 13 is a back-up date if needed) at 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
First Steps is a four-week learning series that provides an overview of the dementia journey and will help you better understand the changes you are witnessing. Research has shown that when people learn about dementia early in the illness, they manage better. At this series, you will learn about types of dementia and how changes in the brain affect day-to-day functioning. You will also identify coping strategies and begin to plan for the future.
Who Should Attend: Persons in the early stages of dementia; family members or friends.
This series is offered FREE of charge, but spaces are limited. Registration is required for this program. Please see here for more information and registration details.
Understanding Behaviour Changes in Dementia
Friday, October 27, 2023 at 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can impact the brain in many ways. As a result of brain changes, people living with dementia may experience physical, emotional, mental, and cognitive changes. They may also experience behavioural changes. The symptoms of dementia can affect how a person will think and act. In this education session, we will explore the most common behaviour changes that can occur in dementia, and some tips and strategies for understanding and addressing them.
Who Should Attend: Care partners, family members, and friends of those living with dementia
This series is offered FREE of charge, but spaces are limited. Registration is required for this program. Please see here for more information and registration details.
Taking Control Of Our Lives: A Self-Management Program for People Living with Dementia
Wednesdays, October 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, December 6, 2023 (December 13 is a back-up date if needed) at 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
This 8-week program is for people living with dementia. Taking Control of Our Lives is intended to help you, a person with dementia, to develop skills, increase your confidence and feel empowered to take control of your life by talking with and learning from others that may be experiencing some of the same things that you are. Care partners are invited to learn strategies to best support someone living with dementia and their ability to self-manage.
Who Should Attend: Persons in early stages of dementia and their care partners.
This series is offered FREE of charge, but spaces are limited. Registration is required for this program. Please see here for more information and registration details.
NOVEMBER SESSIONS
Creating a Back-Up Plan for Care Workshop
Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm
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.
Who Should Attend: Care partners and family members of those living with dementia
This series is offered FREE of charge, but spaces are limited. Registration is required for this program. Please see here for more information and registration details.
If you have any questions, please contact a member of our Education Team:
Shelby Barrie - Client Education Coordinator
Kris Van Luven - Education Coordinator
Sarah Cook - Education Program Manager
Phone: (705) 748-5131 or 1-800-561-2588. Please leave a voicemail at ext. 222.
Video Resources
To watch our past online sessions, please check out our Video Resources page.