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Linda is a caregiver and an Alzheimer volunteer

Linda is a caregiver and an Alzheimer volunteer

When Linda Finkbeiner’s husband, Jim, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2009, Linda chose to volunteer with the Alzheimer Society of Huron County, as she felt it was a great way to get connected and involved in helping Jim.  Volunteering helped her to better understand the disease process and provided her with the support she needed to face the new challenges she was experiencing with Jim. Linda’s passion for helping those affected by Alzheimer’s disease extends to her peers, and…

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Romina volunteers to make a difference in the community!

Romina volunteers to make a difference in the community!

Here at the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, we have been incredibly fortunate to have support from volunteers from all walks of life. Whether it be a retired educator, aspiring graphic designer, student or advocate, we feel incredibly lucky to have a network of individuals who are passionate about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Below you will meet one of those incredible volunteers, Romina. An advocate, educator, student, professional and so much more, she has truly taken the AlzTunes project and made…

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Meet our volunteer Cindy

Meet our volunteer Cindy

Meet Cindy. She has made a real difference for the Alzheimer Society. As FreshCo’s VP of operations, she has helped get her company to help fundraise for this important cause. She been involved with the Alzheimer Society for over 15 years and even acted as its honorary chair. At first, she helped get FreshCo stores across the region involved in our annual coffee break fundraiser. Shoppers were encouraged to make a donation at the cash register and have their name…

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Anthony volunteers to share his knowledge and experience

Anthony volunteers to share his knowledge and experience

Why do I volunteer? I am currently on the Board of Directors for the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. My interest is driven by a few reasons: having Alzheimer’s disease in my family I know how taxing it can be on loved ones and frustrating it can be for the individual; giving back to society; wanting to make a difference to the people we serve and the Alzheimer’s Society donors; and selfishly feeling good about myself. What is my background? I…

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Tim is a Champion for his wife

Tim is a Champion for his wife

Awhile ago someone said to me, “Tim you’re a true Champion for the Alzheimer’s community.”  In truth, I am merely the voice for my wife Shirley. After many years as a caregiver herself, she now faces Alzheimer’s disease. She is the real champion and this is her story, not mine. In 2005, I first noticed my 61 year-old wife Shirley was struggling with a volunteer position as a treasurer for a small ladies group.  She had always handled our personal…

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Graham volunteers for experience and to give back

Graham volunteers for experience and to give back

Why do I volunteer? I volunteer with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario because I want to contribute to the strength of the education and services that the Society provides for Ontarians with dementia and their caregivers. The rise of dementia in our community, its economic impact and its impact on quality of life is a major health care issue. Like many Ontarians, the impact of dementia has affected my family. What is my background? As a clinical researcher of cognitive…

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Recording what people with dementia and their caregivers experience

Recording what people with dementia and their caregivers experience

Often times when our families and friends begin to need elder care supports, services and information about dementia, we don’t know where to begin looking for help. By the time we know we need help, we are in knee-deep in the crisis, having to make life changing decisions without enough information. It is a frightening and exhausting time for individuals, their families and care partners. Three years ago the week before Christmas, my frightened and delirious 82-year-old mother arrived –…

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Meet Mahwesh Saleem: the next generation of Alzheimer researchers

Meet Mahwesh Saleem: the next generation of Alzheimer researchers

Brain function has always fascinated me because it’s very complicated. It’s not black and white, and so many things contribute to how you think and how you behave. That interconnection means mental health ties into your physical health, and vice versa. Because I’ve always been an analytical person, I like the challenge of figuring out those connections. Especially when the payoff is a better quality of life. As we all know, Alzheimer’s disease can affect quality of life so dramatically….

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New tax credit for safer homes

New tax credit for safer homes

Have you heard about the Government of Ontario’s Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit?

If you are over the age of 65 or live with someone who is senior, you could make your home safer and more accessible and the Ontario government will cover 15% of the costs.

Tips and resources: making the most of Family Day

Tips and resources: making the most of Family Day

When it comes to visiting Mom, I like the normal days, where my only expectation is to “connect” with my mom. The days I don’t like are holidays: birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Family Day – they all remind me of better times. I feel so overwhelmed by the Mom I have lost, that I don’t have the energy to “find” the Mom who is left behind. On these occasions I enlist my family members or friends to come with me. I…

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