Alzheimer Society Blog

I welcome the efforts of support workers and staff to welcome and serve the LGBT communities. Of course, you have already been serving LGBT individuals since you started, but you may not have known it. We are part of every community and we are a diverse group: able-bodied and differently-abled, black and white, Canadian born and new comer, well educated and not, English and French. Our stories are unique and different form those of the mainstream. That’s why “We treat…

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I grew up in a small Northern Ontario town and at a very early age, I recognized racism and discrimination. I recognized the impact this has not only on Aboriginal people, but also on relationships between Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginals. So when I had the opportunity in my career to improve relations, that’s what I wanted to do. Health care is an area with huge impacts and I want to improve the experience of Aboriginal people in dealing with our…

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This spring, aspiring students of all grades, teachers, and staff of the University of Toronto Schools attended the Alzheimer Society of Canada and Firefly Symposium on the Brain. The symposium, which featured several accomplished guest speakers, focused on the discussion of Alzheimer’s disease, a common form of dementia, innovative methods of treatment for the condition, and inspiring the younger generation to think about the brain.

Why did you decide to fundraise for Alzheimer’s disease? Megan: Alzheimer’s disease has deeply affected my family. Three of my close family members experienced extreme memory loss in their later years. To watch a family member and friend lose their most cherished memories is heartbreaking. I want to help further Alzheimer’s research and promote awareness to the best of my ability. Vanessa: Alzheimer’s disease has not affected me, but it has affected others I deeply care about. It is heartbreaking…

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I recently had the pleasure of attending the Alzheimer’s Disease International Conference in Puerto Rico. I presented a poster based on my work with individuals with Diogenes Syndrome. Diogenes Syndrome is a disorder characterized by extreme self neglect, domestic squalor, social withdrawal, lack of concern about living conditions and hoarding. It used to be referred to as “senile squalor syndrome.” It was inspiring to see so much high quality research happening internationally and to see my work featured alongside 74…

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  “ I regard music therapy as a tool of great power in many neurological disorders – Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s – because of its unique capacity to organize or reorganize cerebral function when it has been damaged.” Dr. Oliver Sacks Last December, people in early stage of dementia and their family members took part in Alzheimer Society of Toronto’s (AST) first ever Music Therapy Workshop. The one-hour event was a chance to explain what music therapy is and how it…

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Leaving the cold, damp spring weather in Kingston was not a difficult task, especially since I was heading to Puerto Rico where 90 degree weather, palm trees and the promise of a warm ocean breeze were welcoming, if not beckoning me.  And yet, despite these assurances, I stepped on the plane with a heightened degree of anticipation not typical of this somewhat veteran traveller.  For this was no ordinary vacation.  Sent off with the hugs and encouragement of my two…

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Every spring, I can’t wait to get my trowel in hand and bring my garden back to life again. It’s a ritual of rebirth that allows me to put even the worst of winters behind me. And it seems as if this interest has finally aligned with another passion: creating a world without Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. That’s what makes me so excited about our latest campaign. On May 17, we are encouraging Ontarians to plant Forget Me Not…

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