What is it about human beings that we all want to be remembered, be known as more than merely ordinary, be seen as someone who truly made a difference, leave a mark and maybe even make the future a little brighter? I have been working in the area of estate planning for many years, and I have asked the question – “What do you want your legacy to be” to thousands of people. But I had never been asked that…
In February 2016, the Canadian Senate asked that the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology study the issue of dementia in our society and to provide a final report in January 2017. On May 18, Mary Beth Wighton and the other members of the Ontario Dementia Advisory Group (ODAG) presented to the committee. View the presentation on SenVu or read her remarks: Good afternoon, Thank you for inviting us to appear before you this afternoon. It’s…
The Alzheimer Society of Ontario hosted its second annual Finding Your Way® Provincial Forum on Thursday March 10th. Close to 100 people came together to see how we all can help people with dementia live safely in the community. Many partnering organizations were represented – supportive housing providers, retirement home staff as well as paramedics and other first responders. The Alzheimer Society was happy to see such an interest from our partners. The Hon. Mario Sergio, Minister Responsible for Seniors…
Reflecting on Communication Tips and Medical Appointments I was raised to be a people pleaser, and I am unapologetic about it, unless I offended you by writing this, to which I would say, “I’m sorry”… And so begins my early saga of treading lightly, and being careful to find ways to keep the peace, by pre empting and reducing opportunities for conflict. Little did I know this skill set would serve me well, as a daughter to a mom living…
One of our core objectives here at the Alzheimer Society of Cornwall and District is to continue to look for new ways to make life better for those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. One way we are looking to bring people closer together is through the Dementia Friends campaign. As many of you already know, a Dementia Friend is someone who learns a little bit more about what it’s like to live with dementia and then turns that understanding…
Of all my personal experiences with Alzheimer’s disease, the memory of one is especially powerful. Sometimes gifts arrive to us when least expected if we open our hearts to possibilities… I believe mom’s early emotional responses were shaped by her environment and cultural upbringing. Raised during the depression, she often spoke about missed opportunities and leaving school to help support her family. Her stories were not coloured with resentment or pessimism because she accepted with stoic resolve what had to…
Two things, it is said, are constant and unyielding in an unpredictable world: death and taxes. To this short list, I would add washing clothes, ironing, and making supper. You may be snickering about the addition of “ironing” in a world inundated with synthetics and permanent press. However, as mom’s dementia advanced, this became the predictable response every time I asked about her day’s activities. It wasn’t that she was spinning a tale to allay my concerns, but rather she…
My family is no stranger to Alzheimer’s disease. I cannot remember a time in my childhood when elders in my life were not living with dementia. We did not question these losses because this was our “normal.” We now know that evolving memory changes, with subsequent losses, are not a normal outcome of aging. One difficulty with mom’s diagnosis of dementia was that each sibling saw her changes in a different way, and chose to either accept or refute the…
When one is accustomed to continuous chatter, the hollow sound of silence becomes deafening… We were always a family of conversationalists. I think this was a refined way of saying we talked a lot. To become a true part of the inner family circle, it was important to be engaged in more than one conversation at a time, and to change topics with fluidity. I believe the prospect of silence was uncomfortable for us, and we compensated by talking loudly…
Hello supporters, I’m excited to share some great news with you! Late last year, staff at the Alzheimer Society of Ontario voluntarily put our key processes, services and strategies through a rigorous assessment by Accreditation Canada. We were evaluated in all aspects of being both a health-care organization and a non-profit. And we have just heard that we have received a full four-year Accreditation! This is a great accomplishment for our organization and demonstrates to you our commitment to being…