Last year I took part in #SeedsofHope. I wanted to not only raise awareness for this terrible disease but also in memory of my Grandpa who lost his battle a few years ago. I never knew how bad it was up until I had to witness someone I love battle Alzheimer’s disease. It’s heartbreaking to see someone you love lose everything, including their memory, and how he could no longer recognize many of the people he loved the most. I…
On Thursday April 23, the Alzheimer Society of Ontario and Meridian Credit Union staff showed up to work extra early. The Meridian Credit Union at 26 St. Clair Ave East in Toronto hosted a planting party to kick-off the #SeedsofHope campaign. It was a special morning for both organizations who jointly planted Forget Me Not seeds in honour of all the people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias across Ontario. The Alzheimer Society #SeedsofHope campaign is helping to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and…
I’m Henry Duncan and I volunteer with the Alzheimer Society of Oxford. I got involved because I was looking to do volunteer work after retirement and since my mother had Alzheimer’s disease I felt the Alzheimer Society would be the best fit for me. I have been volunteering with the Alzheimer Society for approximately 15 years and although volunteer companion is my main role I also help out with a lot of different tasks. There’s always something that needs doing,…
THANK YOU to everyone who volunteers! We made this video to thank all of our incredible volunteers for their generous donation of time and energy. The work we do at the Society could not be done without the help from loyal and supportive volunteers, and for that, we are grateful. Enjoy the video, and for more information about volunteering in Toronto, visit us here.
I’m Stacy — A.K.A. Super Stacy! —and I volunteer with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. I was born in Toronto and have lived here all my life. I like to keep busy and work hard. I enjoy volunteering with the Alzheimer Society because I support their cause and want to help in any way I can. I have volunteered with the Alzheimer Society since June 2014, coming in once a week to help with various tasks in the office. Everyone…
My name is Jaclyn Turpin and I volunteer with the Alzheimer Society of Oxford. I am a student at King’s University College studying Family Studies and Thanatology (bereavement and grief). Volunteering with the Alzheimer Society allows me to put my academic knowledge to practice. Additionally, I love working with people and supporting those who experienced loss. I am a support services volunteer. The Alzheimer Society did an amazing job ensuring I had a position that met my interests as well…
I’ve been around Alzheimer’s all of my adult life. When I was 18, my grandmother was diagnosed with the disease. She died when I was 25. My grandfather was diagnosed when I was 28. He was gone by the time I was 40. My mother had already been diagnosed by then, and was gone by the time I was 53. It was then that I began my mission to create Alzlive, a media platform specifically designed for the unpaid family…
This story first appeared on alzlive.com, a web site devoted to the unpaid family caregivers of those living with dementia. Visiting a bank or other financial office can be challenging. Even in today’s electronic world some financial matters need to be handled in person at the financial institution. Keeping an individual with early or mid-stage Alzheimer’s participating in the management of their money for as long as possible is an important part of ensuring their voice is heard and their dignity…
My dear mom is 88 years old and lives in a long-term care facility where she is given excellent care. Mom has dementia and along with it aphasia, which affects her ability to use language to communicate. While she doesn’t seem to recognize most relatives and longtime friends, she still knows me, her daughter. I can tell by the way her face lights up when she sees me. She introduces me to the staff every time saying, “This is my…
“Thank you, Son,” is what I should have said. “What a great reason for some quality father/son time,” would have been better. Instead, I cried, “You did what?!” That was Christmas morning 2014. My eldest son had signed us both up for the Ottawa Marathon. I was scheduled to run 26 miles, or 42 km, in less than 5 months. I’m in my 50’s, I haven’t run regularly for over 20 years and I’m about 20 pounds heavier since my…