NEWS

ONGOING

JAY ALLEN'S

MUSIC VIDEO

Blank Stares

A moving musical ode to a mother experiencing dementia. Free listening but downloads available with “all proceeds going to Abe’s Garden and the fight against Alzheimer’s.”

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Listen or download here

ONGOING
DEMENTIA EDUCATION PROGRAM
McGill.ca Steinberg Centre for Simulation and Interactive Learning

“Care partners are at the centre of the dementia crisis. They are the ones who, on a daily basis, make sure that their loved one has what they need to stay safe, healthy and loved…Our multidisciplinary team has created educational tools and innovative platforms to support family care partners who are looking after a loved with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia-related illnesses.” 

Information here

ONGOING
BUILDING CAPACITY PROJECT:
TAKEAWAYS
UBC Nursing

The Building Capacity Project Team led a discussion with Westside Seniors Hub Partners on May 25th about "engaging people living with dementia...to participate in community life as full social citizens...using the Action Group's Flipping Stigma Toolkit as an entry point...The online toolkit...gave Partners a chance to think through what stigma looks and feels like."
The discussion included: Questions, Insights from Action Group members, Implementing the Toolkit, Engagement, and Resources
4-page Takeaways here

ONGOING

VALUE OF CAREGIVING IN CANADA

University of Alberta, University of Manitoba Research on Aging

Infographic capturing statistics about caregivers’ contributions to the Care Economy in terms of FTE, hours, percent of population involved, and economic value. Astounding figures!

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Document here

ONGOING
FLIPPING STIGMA ON ITS EAR TOOLKIT
Canadian Health Research Institute

“The discrimination caused by stigma that accompanies a diagnosis of dementia needs to be ‘flipped on its ear’! The purpose of this toolkit is to recognize and respond to this stigma and discrimination. It has been designed by people with dementia to help others – including other people living with dementia, the people who support them, and those who do research – to address the challenges of stigma and discrimination.” Video clips demonstrate interactions and stimulate discussions.

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Explore the website here

ONGOING

IMPROVING CAREGIVING

THROUGH

TECHNOLOGY

Family Caregivers of BC

Half-hour videos by Wendy Johnstone, Provincial Caregiving Consultant and Gerontologist: "Using technology-based interventions and other digital applications is increasingly becoming a viable option to support family caregivers both in their role as a caregiver and for their own well-being...."

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Ongoing sessions: Click here

Latest addition: Click here for 

Informal Respite and Supports vs Formal Respite and Supports

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ONGOING

DEMENTIA DIALOGUE

Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health (CERAH) 

Lakehead University

“Listeners who have dementia, care partners, and others gain insight and strengthen their adaptive skills help the broader community understand what it means to live with dementia and how they can support people.” 

Also special series for spirituality, arts, women, early onset dementia and new podcasts being added. French & English.

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Website here 

ONGOING
CALL TO MIND PODCAST

University of Victoria, BC 

Prof. Debra Sheets

“In this four-part podcast series, people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia record audio diaries and conversations about their lives during the pandemic…Intimate and surprising stories about the challenges and rewards of caregiving, the impacts of isolation, finding joy by living in the present, and staying in love when everything else is changing...inspires you to make your community a more friendly and supportive place for people with dementia.” 

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Podcasts here 

ONGOING

NAVIGATION AND PEDESTRIAN ENVIRONMENT ACCESSIBILITY

Simon Fraser University, University of BC, Université Laval

“The Stakeholders Walkability/ Wheelability Audit in Neighbourhoods (SWAN) tool…facilitates participant-led evaluations of selected street segments which influence mobility.” Our team wants to “modify the SWAN tool to account for neighbourhood features which impact the mobility and participation of individuals living with sensory or cognitive disability.”

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Details and contact information here

ONGOING
BC BRAIN WELLNESS 
CENTRE PROGRAMS

Brain Wellness is a unique and interactive program establishing clinically relevant lifestyle approaches to complement medical treatment in the clinics at the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health…and provides learning opportunities for medical professionals and the general public on brain wellness practices. Wide range of free programs…from
interdisciplinary collaborations with Physiotherapy, Kinesiology, Occupational Therapy, Neurology, Psychiatry, Neurosciences, Sports Medicine, Nutrition, Psychology and the School of Music as well as several community partners.

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Information here with Winter registration in December

ONGOING
PROMOTING ENGAGEMENT OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA & FAMILY/FRIEND CAREGIVERS IN ADVANCE CARE PLANNING THROUGH COMMUNITY-LED PROGRAMS
BC Centre for Palliative Care

Research-based “learnings from, and resources developed...to promote the engagement of people living with dementia and family/friend caregivers in Advance Care Planning (ACP)…builds on the proven success of an existing, sustainable, community-led education model… to support community organizations facilitate ACP programs for the public.

Recorded webinar here 

ONGOING
CAREGIVERS OUT LOUD:A PODCAST SERIES
Family Caregivers of BC

Listen to “insightful, authentic and heart-centered conversations with caregivers that highlight the joys, trials, and self-discoveries that come along with this rewarding and taxing position.”
20-30 minute episodes accompanied by notes.

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New addition Feb 2022:

Creativity as a Form of Self- Care Listen here

ONGOING
STORIES FOR CAREGIVERS

A series of 2-minute videos 
“‘Therapeutic Fibbing’ is a 4-part heart-opening dramatic comedy web series featuring an everyday Canadian family utilizing — with varying levels of success -- a form of compassionate lying to navigate communications with a loved one living with dementia.”

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YouTube here   

Facebook here

Starting in October
DEMENTIA VENTURES AT KITS HOUSE

You are invited to become involved in the Kits House Dementia Initiative: "create awareness and build community capacity to include the voices of people living with dementia and their care partners in meaningful activities.

• Participate in focus group

• Become a volunteer buddy

• Train as a community member

Contact thaisl@kitshouse.org or call 604-736-3588 ext. 127​

Poster here

ONGOING
COMMUNITY COUNSELING SERVICES
IN BC
Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, Community Action Initiative

“An extension of government funding to 49 local community counselling agencies provides access to low- and no-cost counselling services. 
Community counselling provides flexibility for counsellors to meet clients through outreach, in-person counselling or through virtual supports. In some community agencies, counsellors connect people to other services and supports.”

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Availability of counselling services within BC’s Health Authorities here