Alzheimer Society Winter eContact

Advocacy and Education

A new generation takes on dementia Iva Demirova, a Grade 11 student at New Westminster Secondary School (NWSS), established the NWSS Initiative for Neuroscience and Dementia (IND) club in 2014, a branch of the larger youth-led IND based in Toronto. Read more about the NWSS IND club and the work that Iva and her fellow students are doing to promote awareness about dementia and to raise funds. Learn more on page 4 in Winter 2016 Contact.

A dementia-friendly New Westminster – One year later
In fall 2014, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. formally launched the Dementia-Friendly Communities initiative to increase awareness of dementia and reduce stigma in communities throughout the province. In January 2015, the City's Mayor and Council took the Society's Dementia Friends educational workshop to become the first dementia-friendly council in the province. Learn about what the city has done over the last year to become more dementia friendly. Learn more on page 4 in Winter 2016 Contact.

Upcoming Tele-workshops

The Alzheimer Society of B.C.'s free one-hour tele-workshops allow you to participate from home, wherever you are in the province. Workshops include a live web video of the presentation, making it easy for you to follow along on your computer while you listen on the phone. You will also have the option of downloading handouts after the session. Upcoming tele-workshops include: Navigating the System Wednesday, January 13, 2016, 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. PST Please choose the time that is most convenient for you. Understanding how the health-care system works and navigating your way through it while you care for someone with dementia can often feel overwhelming. This tele-workshop for family caregivers will help you make sense of the system so you are able to get the help you need, when you need it. Understanding Dementia Thursday, February 11, 2016, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. PST Please choose the time that is most convenient for you. What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's disease? This tele-workshop provides basic information about dementia and the impact it has on the individual, caregivers and families. Through an exploration of how dementia affects the brain and behaviour across the progression of the disease, caregivers will learn what to expect throughout the dementia journey. Understanding Communication Monday, March 7, 2016, 2 p.m. or 7 p.m. PST Please choose the time that is most convenient for you. As a caregiver, you may find it increasingly difficult to communicate and connect with the person with dementia. This tele-workshop for family caregivers explores how communication is affected by dementia and suggests effective communication strategies and ways of providing care that focus on the needs of the person with dementia. To find out more about our upcoming tele-workshops as well as to access previous tele-workshop recordings, visit our tele-workshops web page.

Research

Attend a free public forum on Alzheimer's disease at UBC Saturday, January 30, 2016, 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PST You are invited to a free public forum featuring researchers, clinicians and staff with the University of British Columbia (UBC) Clinic for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders. Experts will discuss Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, from basic mechanisms to current clinical research and therapy. The event will be held in the Life Sciences Centre Rooms 1 and 2, at 2350 Health Sciences Mall at UBC. Learn more.

Support Services

Tele-support group The Alzheimer Society of B.C. offers support groups for caregivers who want current information that will help improve the quality of life for people living with dementia. If you are unable to attend a support group in person, you can join other caregivers in a tele-support group meeting by phone. Read more.Come say hello to your Society friends!