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 (sarah@alzheimerjourney.ca) 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
You can view the list of upcoming sessions below, however if you would like to see our September & October Virtual Education Sessions all in one spot, click here to download our poster.
The Alzheimer Society: How We Can Help
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Have you ever wondered what exactly the Alzheimer Society offers in terms of programs, services, and resources? In this presentation we will provide an overview of all the different ways you can connect with us! Whether you are looking for support, education, or opportunities for recreation, the Alzheimer Society team is here to help!
Who Should Attend: Open to everyone!
Link to Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuce2vqj4iG9zgTVseVlz_ZEJ0RLOgGt8w
An Overview of Dementia
Monday, September 9, 2024 at 10:30 am
This presentation is all about understanding dementia. It aims to increase our understanding of the various types of dementia that exist, including both reversible and irreversible types, as well as the symptoms of dementia. It will also explore how Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, impacts the brain and how it is likely to progress.
Link to Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ldu2rrTwuGtWeAFF-o594NMQEwNBX76eW
Meaningful Activities
Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 10:30 am
This presentation helps care partners of a person living with dementia in mid-to-late stages to develop and participate in meaningful activities. The goal is to provide practical ideas on how participants can spend quality time together by identifying and drawing upon the person’s remaining strengths.
Who Should Attend: Care partners, family members, and friends of persons living with dementia
Link to Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAoc--opjstE9eErJr29-_ua2JzHmZQbLNO
OCTOBER VIRTUAL EDUCATION SESSIONS
Understanding and Addressing Late-Day Restlessness, Repetition, and Agitation
Monday, October 7, 2024 at 2:00 pm
This presentation provides insights into understanding Late Day Restlessness, Repetition and Agitation in persons living with dementia and offers some helpful tips and strategies for addressing and coping with these responsive behaviours.
Who Should Attend: Care partners, family members, and friends of persons living with dementia
Link to Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMrcOqprD8jGNeMGeMd4Q0pjDmAXtCoEflz
Brain Changes in Dementia
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 at 10:30 am
Understanding brain changes is an important part of supporting a person living with dementia, as many of the changes we see in-person are a result of the changes that we can’t see happening in the brain. In this session, we will take a closer look at the different parts of the brain, what they do and how they are impacted by dementia. We will also discuss how these brain changes contribute to what we see, day to day, while supporting a person living with dementia, as well as some tips and strategies for coping with the changes.
Who Should Attend: Care partners, family, and friends supporting persons living with dementia.
Link to Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwuc-6hrjgoH9VQUXbtlGU0n-hHCjsvO-m_
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
AUGUST SESSIONS
Enhancing Communication
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.
Please choose from ONE of the following dates and locations:
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am (Peterborough*)
Tuesday, August 20, 2024 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am (Cobourg*)
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 - 10:00 am - 11:30 am (Lindsay*)
Wednesday, August 28, 2024 - 10:30 am - 12:00 pm (Minden*)
Who should attend: Care partners, family members, and friends of people living with dementia
This series is offered FREE of charge, but spaces are limited. Registration is required for this program. *Exact location will be shared upon registration. Please see here for more information and registration details.
SEPTEMBER SESSIONS
What's It Like for EDIE? - A Virtual Reality Workshop for Care Partners
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 1:00 – 4:00 pm - Peterborough
The Educational Dementia Immersive Experience (EDIE) is a free 3-hour workshop designed for care partners and family members of people living with dementia. This immersive experience enables participants to see the world through the eyes of a person living with dementia using high-quality virtual reality technology.
The workshop enhances your knowledge of dementia while exploring helpful strategies to support the person to live well and more confidently with dementia.
Who Should Attend: Care partners, family members and friends of people 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.
What's It Like for EDIE? - A Virtual Reality Workshop for Care Partners
Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 1:00 – 4:00 pm - Haliburton
The Educational Dementia Immersive Experience (EDIE) is a free 3-hour workshop designed for care partners and family members of people living with dementia. This immersive experience enables participants to see the world through the eyes of a person living with dementia using high-quality virtual reality technology.
The workshop enhances your knowledge of dementia while exploring helpful strategies to support the person to live well and more confidently with dementia.
Who Should Attend: Care partners, family members and friends of people 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.
Transitioning to Long-Term Care
Monday, September 30, 2024 at 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm - Cobourg
This education session is for care partners who are supporting someone living with dementia who is on the waitlist for long-term care and is planning to move to a long-term care home in the future. In this session, care partners will learn how to prepare the person living with dementia and themselves for the transition to long-term care.
Topics include:
- Preparing the person living with dementia for the move
- Preparing yourself for the move
- Acknowledging emotions
- Transitioning your role after the move
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
What's It Like for EDIE? - A Virtual Reality Workshop for Care Partners
Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – Port Hope
The Educational Dementia Immersive Experience (EDIE) is a free 3-hour workshop designed for care partners and family members of people living with dementia. This immersive experience enables participants to see the world through the eyes of a person living with dementia using high-quality virtual reality technology.
The workshop enhances your knowledge of dementia while exploring helpful strategies to support the person to live well and more confidently with dementia.
Who Should Attend: Care partners, family members and friends of people 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.
Transitioning to Long-Term Care
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 10:00 am – 12:00 pm - Lindsay
This education session is for care partners who are supporting someone living with dementia who is on the waitlist for long-term care and is planning to move to a long-term care home in the future. In this session, care partners will learn how to prepare the person living with dementia and themselves for the transition to long-term care.
Topics include:
- Preparing the person living with dementia for the move
- Preparing yourself for the move
- Acknowledging emotions
- Transitioning your role after the move
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.
Be Prepared: What Happens When a Person Living with Dementia Goes Missing
Monday, October 28, 2024 at 1:30 – 3:30 pm - Peterborough
The person with dementia you're supporting can become lost no matter how careful you are, and it's not always possible to predict when it might happen. In this workshop, you will learn about the “Finding Your Way Ontario” initiative which is all about learning how to live safely with dementia. There are ways to lower the chance of going missing, by recognizing the risk and by being proactive by planning ahead.
Topics Covered Include:
- Learning about the risk
- Exploring the benefits of staying active in the community
- Reducing the risk: Locating Devices, Vulnerable Persons Registry, Identification Strategies (ie: Medic Alert)
- Having a plan: The Finding Your Way ID Kit
Who Should Attend: Care partners, friends, and family members of those living with dementia
This session 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.
Upcoming Virtual First Link® Learning Series
There are no virtual learning series happening at this time. Please check back for future virtual learning series offerings.
Upcoming In-Person First Link® Learning Series
First Steps
Tuesdays, September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 2024 (October 8 is a back-up date if needed) at 9:30 am – 12:00 pm - Peterborough
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 experiencing. 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.
Care Essentials
Mondays, October 21, 28 November 4, 11, 2024 (November 18 is a back-up date if needed) at 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm - Cobourg
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.
Who Should Attend: Family members and care partners of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are invited to attend this learning series.
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
Tuesdays, October 29, November 5, 12, 19, 2024 (November 26 is a back-up date if needed) at 10:00 am - 12:30 pm - Peterborough
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.
Who Should Attend: Family members and care partners of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are invited to attend this learning series.
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.
Virtual Reality – Educational Dementia Immersive Experience (EDIE)
Delivered in-person to your team or group, the Educational Dementia Immersive Experience (EDIE) is a 3-hour workshop that enables participants to see the world through the eyes of a person living with dementia using high-quality virtual reality technology.
The workshop enhances your knowledge of dementia while exploring helpful strategies to support people to live well and more confidently with dementia.
Your organization’s staff or volunteers gain valuable insight into what it is like to live with dementia, fostering a sense of empathy and understanding. Workshop participants enhance their skills and build their confidence to improve service provision to clients, customers or patients living with dementia.
Workshop Objectives:
- Experience the environment through the perspective of a person living with dementia
- Identify support needs in partnership with the person living with dementia and their care partner(s)
- Develop support strategies that focus on enabling a person to live more confidently with dementia
Fee Information:
- Group Rate (15 Participants) $1500.00 ($100 per person)
- Not-for-Profit Rate (15 Participants) $1200.00 ($80.00 per person)
* Please note: At this time, we can only facilitate EDIE workshops that take place within our Society’s catchment area (within Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton Counties in Ontario, Canada).
For more information, or if you are interested in registering for Enabling EDIE workshops for your workplace, group or organization, please submit your details here. We will contact you to answer your questions, organize a training session, or to help you determine if this workshop is right for your group.
Video Resources
To watch our past online sessions, please check out our Video Resources page.