January March 2019 See inside for dementia programs in. January is Alzheimer s Awareness Month January is Alzheimer s Awareness Month, an opportunity to challenge the stigma experienced by people living with dementia. Throughout the month, thousands of Canadians will be standing up to share their stories to challenge negative attitudes and misconceptions. When we reduce stigma, people living with dementia can live better. Here are some tips to help you cope with and overcome stigma: Be open and honest. When someone asks how you are doing, be honest with your answer. People may not realize how difficult things are for you. Talk about dementia. Become informed. Sharing accurate information is the best way to reduce stigma. Help others understand. Encourage people to learn more about the disease. The offers free teleworkshops for people to learn about dementia at home: alzbc.org/learn-from-home Talk to someone you trust. It can be hard dealing with dementia alone. Sharing this part of your life with family and friends and letting them know when you need help and support can be of great comfort. Stay connected. It is important to engage with others who understand what you are going through. A support group can be a safe place to share your struggles with people who understand. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. offers Family Caregiver and Early Stage support groups: alzbc.org/support-groups If you are living with dementia or have questions about the disease, please call the First Link Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033 or contact your local Alzheimer resource centre. The -Richmond Resource Centre is relocating Beginning January 2019, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. s -Richmond Resource Centre will be relocating to 300 828 West Eighth Avenue in. We are moving our resource centre to ensure we can provide the best possible venue for supporting people affected by dementia. If you have any questions about the relocation, please connect with Krista Frazee at 604-675- 5152 or email: kfrazee@alzheimerbc.org
2 Upcoming Education Free to attend donations welcome. Program Date Registration Location Getting to Know Dementia for people experiencing early symptoms of dementia, as well as their family members or friends Enhance your basic knowledge about dementia and learn about the different types of support services, education, and information available at any stage of the journey. English Tuesday, January 15 English Thursday, February 7 Richmond Caring Place Room 345/350 7000 Minoru Boulevard Richmond English Monday, March 11 2 4 p.m. Understanding Dementia and the 10 Warning Signs Have you wondered what the difference is between dementia and Alzheimer s disease? Participants will gain an understanding of this frequently asked question. Learn about illnesses that cause dementia, the 10 warning signs, how the brain is affected and treatment options. Monday, January 28 10 a.m. noon TBD Shaping the Journey: living with dementia A series for people with early symptoms of dementia and a care partner. Meet others who are going through similar experiences in a supportive learning environment. Topics include: the brain and dementia, strategies for coping with changes, maximizing quality of life and planning for the future. Five Tuesdays February 5, 12, 19, 26, and March 5 1:30 3:30 p.m. Prior to registration, please contact: Resource Centre by calling: 604-675-5150 or email at: info.vancouver@alzheimerbc.org Resource Centre 300-828 West 8 Avenue
3 Upcoming Education Free to attend donations welcome. Program Date Registration Location Family Caregiver Series An education series for family members who are caring for a person living with dementia. Topics include: Understanding dementia (types, causes, progression) Communication and behaviour (e.g. repetitive questions, confusion) Planning for the future Self-care for caregivers English Two Saturdays January 26 and February 2 12 4:30 p.m. Cantonese Four Tuesdays January 15, 22, 29 and February 5 To register, please call Sharon Tong: 604-687-8299 or email: info.chinesecentre@alzheimerbc.org General Hospital Jim Pattison Pavilion Paetzold Centre Multipurpose Room 899 West 12th Avenue Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House 4065 Victoria Drive 12:30 2 p.m. Dementia Dialogue: Coping with Change A dementia diagnosis can bring on changes to one s abilities, activities and relationships. Learn strategies for coping with change and maintaining one s self. This session is for people living with dementia and supporting family members. Wednesday, January 16 1:30 3:30 p.m.
4 Upcoming Education Free to attend donations welcome. Program Date Registration Location Dementia Dialogue: Genetics of Dementia: Folklores and Facts Presented by Emily Dwosh, Genetic Counsellor at the UBC Clinic for Alzheimer Disease & Related Disorders. This dementia dialogue will explore the role of genetics in Alzheimer s disease and other dementias and what our family histories can tell us about our likelihood of developing these conditions in the future. We will review the availability of genetic testing for Alzheimer s disease and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and how genetic counselling can help families make informed decisions regarding these tests. This session is for supporting family members. Tuesday, January 22 Dementia Dialogue: Young Onset Intimacy and Sexuality for Caregivers This workshop provides caregivers with a safe place to discuss how their sexual relationship with their spouse is being affected by dementia, and to learn about why certain changes are occurring. Participants will view the DVD, A Thousand Tomorrows: Intimacy, Sexuality and Alzheimer s and have opportunities for discussion. This session is for spouses who are caring for a partner living with a young onset dementia diagnosis. Monday, February 11 6:30 8:30 p.m. Resource Centre
5 Upcoming Education Free to attend donations welcome. Program Date Registration Location Dementia Dialogue: Self-Care for Caregivers and Guilt Caregivers of people living with dementia often talk about and experience guilt. It is a common response to the overwhelming challenges associated with caregiving, but it should not be regarded as inevitable. This facilitated discussion will address how to become aware of guilty feelings, how guilt may impact caregiving decisions and how to manage feelings of guilt. This session is for supporting family members. Saturday, February 23 10:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Arbutus Manor Theatre Room 2125 Eddington Drive Dementia Dialogue: Seeing Gems along the Dementia Journey Using lively examples of common challenges, such as handling repetitive questions, renowned dementia educator Teepa Snow will provide guidance for supporting a person living with dementia. Video screening will be followed by a facilitated discussion. This session is for supporting family members and friends. Thursday, March 21 To register, please call: 604-675-5150 or email: info.vancouver@alzheimerbc.org Resource Centre Dementia Dialogue: Grief and loss for caregivers, friends and family members This facilitated discussion will explore the impact of loss and grief, as well as strategies for coping with and adjusting to changes throughout the stages of dementia. This session is for supporting family members. Thursday, March 28 To register, please call: 604-675-5150 or email: info.vancouver@alzheimerbc.org
6 Tele-workshops Activities to do with the person with dementia Do you care for a family member with dementia and need creative ways to engage him/her in meaningful activities? This tele-workshop for family caregivers explains the goals and benefits of meaningful activities, gives suggestions for appropriate activities, and explains how to maximize the enjoyment for you and the person living with dementia. Thursday, January 10 2 or 7 p.m. (choose the time most convenient for you) No cost and no registration necessary. How to connect: Phone: 1-866-994-7745 Participant pass code: 1122333 Online: Enter as a guest momentum.adobeconnect.com/alzheim erbc Tele-workshop Available across B.C. Transition to residential care Are you a family caregiver who is considering residential care options for a person living with dementia? This workshop will provide a general overview of how to access residential care, the challenges families face when making decisions about residential care, and some strategies for preparing for the transition. Tuesday, February 12 2 or 7 p.m. (choose the time most convenient for you) No cost and no registration necessary. How to connect: Phone: 1-866-994-7745 Participant pass code: 1122333 Online: Enter as a guest momentum.adobeconnect.com/alzheim erbc Tele-workshop Available across B.C. How to support a friend who has dementia or is a caregiver Want to support someone living with dementia? It might be your friend, neighbour, co-worker or relative. This teleworkshop provides practical tips on how to communicate with a person with dementia, how to offer support and what kind of help the person living with dementia, their caregiver or family might appreciate. Please note: This tele-workshop is not aimed at primary caregivers. Wednesday, March 6 2 or 7 p.m. (choose the time most convenient for you) No cost and no registration necessary. How to connect: Phone: 1-866-994-7745 Participant pass code: 1122333 Online: Enter as a guest momentum.adobeconnect.com/alzheim erbc Tele-workshop Available across B.C.
7 Minds in Motion A fitness and social activity program for people with early symptoms of Alzheimer s disease or another dementia and a care partner. Includes 45-60 minutes of exercise led by a certified fitness instructor, followed by an hour of social time with activities and light refreshments. New participants are encouraged to visit the community centre for information or to register. Minds in Motion Kitsilano Nine Mondays January 7 March 11 1 3 p.m. To register, please call Kitsilano Community Centre at 604-257-6976. For more information, call Kate Turnbull at 604-675-5156 or email: kturnbull@alzheimerbc.org Cost: $50.67 for one person and partner for nine weeks. Kitsilano Community Centre 2690 Larch Street Snowy s Lounge Minds in Motion Marpole-Oakridge Eleven Tuesdays January 8 March 19 Noon 2 p.m. To register, please call Marpole-Oakridge Centre at 604-257-8180 *press 2*. For more information, call Kate Turnbull at 604-675-5156 or email: kturnbull@alzheimerbc.org Cost: $86.67 for one person and partner for eleven weeks. Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre 990 West 59th Avenue Upstairs - Auditorium Room Minds in Motion Kerrisdale Ten Wednesdays January 9 March 13 9:45 11:45 a.m. To register, please call Kerrisdale Community Centre at 604-257-8100. For more information, call Kate Turnbull at 604-675-5156 or email: kturnbull@alzheimerbc.org Cost: $61.90 for one person and partner for eleven weeks. Kerrisdale Community Centre 5851 West Boulevard Minds in Motion West End Six Tuesdays January 8 February 12 10 11:30 a.m. Six Tuesdays February 19 March 26 10 11:30 a.m. *space available!* Register in person or call West End Community Centre at 604-257-8333. For more information, call Sonia Furstrand at 604-675-5157 or email: sfurstrand@alzheimerbc.org Cost: $37.50/pair for 6 weeks (one person and their care partner) West End Community Centre 870 Denman Street Denman Room (2nd floor)
8 Minds in Motion Hillcrest Centre Nine Mondays January 7 March 11 (no class February 18) 2 4 p.m. Register in person or call Hillcrest Community Centre at 604-257-8680. For more information, call Sonia Furstrand at 604-675-5157 or email: sfurstrand@alzheimerbc.org Cost: $56.25/pair for 9 weeks (one person and their care partner) Hillcrest Centre 4575 Clancy Loranger Way Gym A for Fitness & Room 322 for social time Minds in Motion Killarney Community Centre (Chinese) Fridays 12:45 2:45 p.m. To register, please call Killarney Community Centre at 604-718-8200. For more information, call Sharon Tong at 604-687-8299 or email: info.chinesecentre@alzheimerbc.org Killarney Community Centre 6260 Killarney Street Room 203 Support Groups The offers Caregiver and Early Stage support groups. These groups are for people who want to inform themselves with current information that will help improve the quality of life with the disease. These are safe environments, providing an opportunity for emotional support and the sharing of common experiences, practical tips and strategies. Caregiver and Early Stage Support Groups Please contact the Resource Centre: Chinese-speaking Support Groups Cantonese & Mandarin-speaking Support Groups 604-675-5150 or For more information, please contact Sharon Tong at 604-687-8299 or email: info.chinesecentre@alzheimerbc.org Tele-support Group If you are unable to attend a support group in person, you can join others in a support group meeting by phone from anywhere in B.C. General Tele-support Group 3rd Friday of each month, 2 3 p.m. For more information, call 250-382-2052 or 1-800-936-6033 (First Link Dementia Helpline) or email: info.helpline@alzheimerbc.org Tele-support Group for caregivers of someone diagnosed with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvftd) 4th Monday of the month, 7 8 p.m. For more information, call 250-382-2052 or 1-800-936-6033 (First Link Dementia Helpline) or email: info.victoria@alzheimerbc.org