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Enjoying meal times together

Enjoying meal times together

I was recently having lunch with my grandmother and I realized how much she’s changed. She holds her spoon differently, and she uses her fork to painstakingly cut the meat, instead of using the knife. I realized that these changes were brought on by her dementia, but I didn’t really know if there was anything I should do to help.

Elizabeth Allen: an open letter

Elizabeth Allen: an open letter

Dear brother, sister, son, daughter, friend,

I have Alzheimer’s disease.

I know you don’t know what to say, or what you should do.

I don’t have all the answers – but I hope this letter will help.

Behind the scenes at the Finding Your Way launch

Behind the scenes at the Finding Your Way launch

On March 26, 2013, the Alzheimer Society of Ontario officially launched  the Finding Your Way program. This groundbreaking safety initiative is designed to promote awareness about the issue of people with dementia getting lost among the public and law enforcement. In addition, it provides information for caregivers on how to prevent a person with dementia from going missing and what information to have ready in case he or she does.

If words fail, paint—how art helps people with dementia

If words fail, paint—how art helps people with dementia

As a social worker for the past six years, my passion for developing therapeutic relationships and providing safe spaces for the self-empowerment of individuals and groups has vastly grown.  Using creative outlets to build relationships and support empowerment has always been something I was keen on exploring. With this in mind, I decided to become an art therapist through the Toronto Art Therapy Institute.

Home safety tips for someone with Alzheimer’s

Home safety tips for someone with Alzheimer’s

Home should be a safe place, a refuge from the world where we can simply be and relish in the memories of what was, what is and what will be. Ensuring people with dementia can continue to live safely at home is a key priority for the Alzheimer Society. A home’s many traces of the past can help preserve a sense of self.