Page 1 30th ANNIVERSARY NEWSLETTER Events Leadership Luncheon P. 1 IG Walk for Alzheimers P. 2 Door to Door P.2 Coffee Break P.3 Volunteer Call P.3 Door to Door P.4 Awareness Conference 2020 P.4 Dr Brian Goldman P.5 Longest Day Bridge Club P.5 Welcome to the Team P.6 Donations P. 6 Volunteer Companion Program P. 7 Dementia Friendly Communities P.7 First Link P. 8 Support Groups P. 8 Awareness Conference 2019 P. 9 Colouring Poster P. 9 Dementia Care Training P. 10 Webinars P.10 Summer Tips P.11 National Dementia Strategy P. 12 Charter of Rights P. 12 What Grandma Means to Say P. 12 Research Participation P. 13 Brain Donation P. 13 Brain Boosters P. 13 Table of Contents Spring/Summer 2019 Want to keep up with what’s going on at the Alzheimer Society? Follow us on Twitter or like and follow our Facebook page to stay up to date! Social Media Alzheimer Society of Prince Edward Island @AlzheimerPEI Our 18th Annual Dementia Friends Leadership Award Luncheon took place on June 21, 2019 at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel. Congratulations to our award winners: Lynn Loftus was honoured with the Dementia Friends Leadership Award. This award recognizes a person who exemplifies excellence in person-centered care while promoting programs and services for all those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Fred Foster and Lew Robinson were honoured with the Ferne Stevenson Caregiver Award. This award recognizes a very important caregiver who has done so much for our community. Caregivers are the unsung heroes within our communities, they make huge a difference in the lives of people with dementia. To read the full press release click here Special Thanks : Lois Drummond for the MAW Charitable Fund. Marvin Cameron –Honoured and recognized for his contributions to The Alzheimer Society of PEI over the past 5 years. To nominate someone for either of these awards, call 902-628-2257 or email [email protected]To view more photos from the Luncheon, click here. Dementia Friends Leadership Award Luncheon
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30th ANNIVERSARY NEWSLETTER
EventsLeadership Luncheon P. 1 IG Walk for Alzheimers P. 2 Door to Door P.2 Coffee Break P.3 Volunteer Call P.3 Door to Door P.4 Awareness Conference 2020 P.4 Dr Brian Goldman P.5 Longest Day Bridge Club P.5 Welcome to the Team P.6 Donations P. 6 Volunteer Companion Program P. 7 Dementia Friendly Communities P.7 First Link P. 8 Support Groups P. 8 Awareness Conference 2019 P. 9 Colouring Poster P. 9 Dementia Care Training P. 10 Webinars P.10 Summer Tips P.11 National Dementia Strategy P. 12 Charter of Rights P. 12 What Grandma Means to Say P. 12 Research Participation P. 13 Brain Donation P. 13 Brain Boosters P. 13
Table of Contents
Spring/Summer 2019
Want to keep up with what’s going on at the Alzheimer Society?
Follow us on Twitter or like and follow our Facebook page to stay up to date!
Social Media
Alzheimer Society of Prince Edward Island
@AlzheimerPEI
Our 18th Annual Dementia Friends Leadership Award Luncheon took place on June 21, 2019 at the Rodd Charlottetown Hotel.
Congratulations to our award winners: Lynn Loftus was honoured with the Dementia Friends Leadership Award. This award recognizes a person who exemplifies excellence in person-centered care while promoting programs and services for all those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Fred Foster and Lew Robinson w e r e h o n o u r e d wi th the Ferne S t e v e n s o n Caregiver Award. This award recognizes a very important caregiver who has done so much for our community. Caregivers are the unsung heroes within our communities, they make huge a difference in the lives of people with dementia.
To read the full press release click here
Special Thanks : Lois Drummond for the MAW Charitable Fund.
Marvin Cameron –Honoured and recognized for his contributions to The Alzheimer Society of PEI over the past 5 years. To nominate someone for either of these awards, call 902-628-2257 or email [email protected] To view more photos from the Luncheon, click here.
EventsI.G. Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimers A BIG THANK YOU!
We w a n t t o extend a huge thank you to all our volunteers and participants who worked to make this years’ Investors Group W e a l t h M a n a g e m e n t
Walk for Alzheimer’s such a success! We also want to highlight our sponsors Cavendish Farms, Maritime Electric , City of Summerside, The Gray Group, Invesco, The City of Charlottetown, Biovectra, Veseys Seeds, The Guardian, Ocean 100, Hot 105.5 and Foodland for their support. If you would like to view our photos from this year’s Charlottetown walk, click here.
All funds raised stays on our Island and goes toward the programs and services we offer as well as to research to find a cure.
Save the Date Date: May 26th, 2020 Location: Victoria Park Pavilion, Charlottetown, PE Time: 12:00pm Registration and Check-in 12:30pm Opening Ceremonies & Warm up 1:00pm Walk for Alzheimer’s start up! 2:00pm Closing Ceremonies & Awards
Register and fundraise online at www.walkpei.ca or request a fundraising kit by contacting Amanda Rae Gallant by phone at 902-628-2257 or by email at [email protected]
Each year, we are fortunate to have our cadets participate in the Door to Door Campaign. Huge thank you to Inspector Wayne Rudderham for doing a great job canvass ing the Summerside area.
For every $100.00 volunteers raised, they are entered into an Air Canada draw for two flights of travel to any Air Canada s c h e d u l e d destination w i t h i n N o r t h A m e r i c a . The draw took place a t t h e Dement ia F r i e n d s Leadership Luncheon and this years winner is Blair MacKinnon.If you are interested in donating to this campaign you can do so by clicking here.
Coffee Break is the Alzheimer Society’s major nationwide annual fundraiser where friends, co-workers and customers gather in communities to raise funds for local Alzheimer Societies. Coffee Break takes place throughout the month of September to recognize World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21st.
Participants at these events make a donation in exchange for a cup of coffee. The money raised stays in PEI to help the Society provide programs and services to those living with dementia and their families.
Coffee Breaks can be hosted in small businesses, large corporations, health-care facilities, schools and private residences. For more information or if you are interested in hosting a coffee break, please click here.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are the most important resource for our organization - your time and energy are essential to help us support people living with dementia and their families.
We would love to have your time and talents to help us create our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s disease & other dementias
The Alzheimer Society of PEI needs your help in making a difference in the lives of thousands of Islanders living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Please help us by giving a couple hours of your time to help canvass during our Door to Door Campaign. For every $100.00 you raise you will be entered into an Air Canada draw for two flights of travel to any Air Canada scheduled destination within North America, including Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean.
Islanders partake in our Door to Door Canvassing by going out individually or by going out as a group. i.e.. a class, sports team or with coworkers.
Think of volunteering to make a difference!
If you are interested in participating as a group or as an individual please contact Amanda at [email protected] or by calling 902-628-2257.
January Awareness Conference
Save the date!
O u r 7 t h A n n u a l Alzheimer’s Awareness Conference will be held on January 23, 2020.
To provide a safe and supportive environment, it i s c r u c i a l t o b e knowledgeable on proper d e m e n t i a c a r e . T h e conference is an annual event designed to provide m e a n i n g f u l l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r c a r e g i v e r s , h e a l t h professionals and the general public.
EventsDr. Brian Goldman presented by BookmarkOn June 5, 2019 Dr. Brian Goldman enchanted us with a talk and reading from his latest book, “The Power of Kindness”, accompanied by the charming Matt Rainnie, as host. Dr. Goldman leaves the comfortable, familiar surroundings of the hospital in search of his own lost c o m p a s s i o n . A t o p neuroscientist performs an MRI scan of his brain to see if he is hard-wired for empathy. A researcher at Western University in Ontario tests his personality and makes a startling discovery. Goldman then circles the planet in search of the most empathic people alive, to hear their stories and learn their secrets. Powerful and engaging, The Power of Kindness takes us far from the theatre of medicine and into the world at large, and
investigates why kindness is so vital to our existence.
Huge thanks to Dan and Marlene MacDonald, from the Bookmark, who donated more than 20% of book sales to The Alzheimer Society of PEI.
Thank you Dr. Brian Goldman for your support not only for persons living with dementia and their care partners but also for
supporting The Alzheimer Society of PEI.
Longest Day of Bridge Club
From June 16-23, 2019 the Longest Day Bridge club participated in the annual Day of Bridge, which is an initiative of the Canadian Bridge federation and Alzheimer Societies in Canada. Individuals and groups were invited to play bridge from sunrise to sunset to raise awareness for people living with dementia and to honour care partners who provide support to individuals living with dementia.
The Longest Day Bridge e v e n t , h e l d b y t h e Charlottetown Duplicate Bridge Club, raised a total of $3832.00. Way to Go!!
We, at the Alzheimer Society would like to extend a Big Thank You to those who participated!
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Welcome to the TeamAmanda Rae Gallant, Laura MacWilliam and Caitlyn DuncanWe’d like to introduce our new Administrative & Events Coordinator, Amanda Rae Gallant! Amanda Rae knew from a young age, in Foxley River, PEI that she wanted a bold, authentic, and purposeful life. Never one to shy away from the spotlight, she found great joy in acting, singing, and later on, in hosting events for friends, family, and local charities. Bringing people together was the significant thread throughout her life and career. While thoroughly enjoying working in sales and management for many years, she was dreaming of working in non-profit and is over-joyed to be joining the Alzheimer Society of PEI team!
Please also join us in welcoming our new First Link Coordinator, Laura MacWilliam! Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Laura comes to us from the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan. She has spent the past 6 years serving as the First Link Coordinator in Swift Current, SK. Laura has always felt privileged to be a part of such an amazing National organization, and is beyond excited to be back on the east coast doing what she loves!
We are pleased to have Caitlyn Duncan join our team as a summer student. Caitlyn has her Bachelor of Science from the University of Prince Edward Island and is working on her second degree in Health Science, Respiratory Therapy at Dalhousie University. Caitlyn comes to us hoping to learn new information and techniques which she can bring with her throughout her career in health care. So far, she has attended DCT102 and really enjoyed it!
We are grateful for the major gifts that we have received recently. Including a d o n a t i o n f r o m L o i s Drummond from the MAW Charitable Trust. As well as a donation by William Pickering from Roy L Ramsay Family Trust.
We encourage you to consider a bequest or a family trust.
Major Gifts & Bequests
Donations
Your donation today will help us bring services and support to people with d e m e n t i a a n d t h e i r caregivers across the Island. It helps us fund research into the causes and a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. You can donate directly by calling (902) 628-2257, by emailing [email protected] o r o n l i n e t h r o u g h CanadaHelps.org
The volunteer companion program is a one-on-one visiting program designed to enhance the quality of life for families and individuals affected by Alzheimer disease and related dementia. Volunteer companions are matched with a person living with dementia to provide weekly visits that promote meaningful activity and social interaction. These visits also provide the care partner an opportunity to receive respite and keep their loved one at home longer. The Alzheimer Society provides support and assistance throughout all aspects of the program. We have received lots of positive feedback from our matched companions and families involved in the program!
As this is a volunteer program, we cannot maintain this program without volunteers. A free, comprehensive training program will be offered later this spring to help you learn more about dementia, communication strategies, and meaningful activities to equip you for your role. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer companion, please contact
Laura at 902-370-3135 or [email protected] for more information or to request an application.
Special thank you to UPSE and the Rotary Club of Charlottetown for their support with this initiative!
We were pleased to receive funding from the Rotary Club of Charlottetown to aid us in the development of D e m e n t i a F r i e n d l y Recreation Centres. This in i t ia t ive wi l l a l low recreation professionals to gain a better understanding of dementia and dementia-friendly programs. As awareness and understanding increase, recreation centres will be encouraged to develop and offer programs that are mindful of the unique needs of persons living with dementia and their care partners.
If you would like to see this initiative come to your area, please contact Laura a t 902 -370-3135 or [email protected]
There are currently three Alzheimer Caregiver Support Groups running across PEI. All are welcome to attend.
CharlottetownAlzheimer Society of PEI 166 Fitzroy Street1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month, 1:00pm
SummersideS u m m e r s e t M a n o r 15 Frank Mellish Street 3rd Thursday of every month, 2:00pm
MontaguePerrin’s Marina Villa 11 5 S a c k v i l l e S t r e e t 3rd Wednesday of every month, 2:00pm
For more information, contact Laura at 902-370-3135 or [email protected].
First Link® is an innovative referral program designed to assist individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, as well as their families and caregivers. First Link® provides support from the point of diagnosis and throughout the progression of the disease.First Link® Connects People To:
• A learning series offering information about diagnosis, day- to-day living, positive approaches to care, self-care and planning for the future.
• Support groups and opportunities for one-to-one counselling. • Additional community programs and services.
Thank you to those who attended our First Link® Education sessions on February 12 and May 14.Our next session: Date: Wednesday, August 14, 2019 Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm. To register or for more information, please call Laura at 902-370-3135 or email [email protected].
Referrals can be made by physicians, health care professionals and community organizations. Family members, caregivers, and individuals with dementia can also self-refer at anytime.
Our 7th Annual Alzheimer’s Awareness Conference was held in Charlottetown on January 24, 2019. This year, over 200 attendees joined us to learn from many wonderful presenters including:
- Lynn Loftus, person living with dementia
- Dr. John Flood, former family care partner and dementia advocate
- Dr. Melissa Andrew, research lead with the Canadian Consortium of Neurodegeneration in Aging.
- Seniors Mental Health Panellists: Dr. Martha Carmichael, Geriatrician; & Dr. Javier Salabarria, Geriatric Psychiatrist
- Health Care Panellists: Erin Campbell-Moore, Community Support Coordinator; Tabatha Gallant, Therapeutic Dementia Worker; Trish MacInnis, Staff Development Coordinator; & Sheila Stapleton, RCW.
We would like to extend a special thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s event a success. We cannot thank our volunteers and generous sponsors enough for their support. If you missed out on this year’s event, you can check it out on Eastlink’s PodiumTV On Demand. To view more photos from the event, click here.
Did we mention: Save the Date: January 23 , 2020!!
Alzheimer Awareness ConferenceColouring Poster
At this year’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Conference, guests were invited to complete a colouring poster.
As a new annual initiative, the completed poster will be donated to a local long-term or community care home on PEI who participated in our conference. The winner of this year’s completed poster was Clinton View Lodge.
C o r r i n e H e n d r i c k e n -Eldershaw presented the poster to staff and residents on February 15. Congratulations Clinton View!
Did you know that we have an evidence-based Dementia Care Training program for health care professionals? 204 Health Care Professionals have received training.
DCT101 is designed to increase knowledge and awareness of dementia, increase effective communication strategies, and provide a framework for understanding responsive behaviours. DCT102 provides an opportunity to apply hands-on skills to caregiving tasks and case consultations. This program encompasses best practice methodologies including: U-First!®; Positive Approach® to Care; GEMS®; DementiAbility; Virtual Dementia Tour; LGBTQ+ guidelines; and self-care.
We have had the opportunity to w o r k w i t h a diverse group of participants from many sectors including long-term care, home care, community care, acute care, and group homes.
Our next session of DCT101 will be offered on September 10 & 11, 2019 and DCT102 will be offered November 13 & 14, 2019. For additional information and registration, please click here.
Dementia Care TrainingDid you know that there are free educational opportunities available to you from the comfort of your own home? Check out these upcoming webinars!
AlzEducate: Meaningful Activities
This live webinar is to help family caregivers develop and participate in meaningful activities with their family member or friend with dementia. Wednesday, September 4, 2019 at 11:00am
Executive Functions
Learn to define executive functions and understand the implications of impaired executive functioning in dementia. Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 5:00pm
Elderly people in particular, can be susceptible to stress and illness from the heat. On very hot days, it’s important to take extra care and venture outside with caution.
Stay cool: Some people don’t perspire very much, even when it’s humid. Stay out of the heat at the hottest times of the day and seek shade when you are outside.
Drink plenty: Thirst declines with age, and older sweat glands release less sweat and more salt. Lack of salt in the body can cause sudden drops in blood pressure. Drink lots of water throughout the day, as often as every 15-20 minutes.
Apply cool cloths: A cool cloth applied to the face, neck and arms, as well as short baths and showers, are other good ways to beat the heat. Wear lightweight, light-coloured clothing.
Watch for signs: Be aware of signs of illness due to excess heat. Muscle cramps, fatigue, confusion, light-headedness and nausea can all be signs of trouble. So can laboured breathing, chest discomfort, and a rapid or erratic pulse.
Watch for mosquitoes: Hot weather brings out the mosquitoes. Prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellent and covering up with light clothing—long sleeves and pants.
Tips:
• Wear sunglasses to help protect your eyes from the sun’s UV rays.
• Wear a hat with a wide brim; this will help shield your skin from UV rays.
• Avoid or take extra care when you are outdoors between dusk and dawn. Stay in shaded areas when possible.
• Avoid outdoor activities during midday, when the sun’s rays are strongest.
• Check the expiry date of any protective products you are using.
Travel Tips
✦ Have A Plan
✦ Learn as much as you can about the place you’ll be visiting, so you can anticipate what you’ll need.
✦ Think ahead about activities that may need to be adjusted.
✦ Aim for as few changes in routine as you reasonably can.
✦ R e g i s t e r t h e p e r s o n with MedicAlert® Safely Home®.
✦ Carry recent photographs in the event a search is necessary.
✦ Try to get a direct flight.
✦ Request seating near washrooms.
✦ If you’re travelling by car for long distance, consider driving shorter distances each day.
✦ Let hotel staff know about your needs and any possible diff icul t ies you may encounter.
On June 17, 2019 the federal government released the National Dementia Strategy. The vision of the strategy is a Canada in which all people living with dementia and caregivers are valued and supported, quality of life is optimized, and dementia is prevented, well understood, and effectively treated.
For more information on the National Dementia Strategy, please click here.
Charter of Rights for Persons with Dementia In September 2018, the Canadian Advisory Group of People Living with Dementia created our first ever Canadian Charter of Rights for People Living with Dementia. Canadians living with dementia are entitled to the same human rights as every other Canadian; however, stigma and discrimination are huge barriers. Upholding the charter will ensure that persons living with dementia know they have rights and reminds us to treat them with dignity and respect. It is also being used as a framework to inform the development of the national dementia strategy.
To learn more about the Charter of Rights for Persons with Dementia, please click here.
National Dementia Strategy released June 17, 2019What My Grandma Means to Say
The Alzheimer Society of PEI is passionate in providing resources for all ages. JC Sulzenko’s “What My Grandma Means to Say” was created as a resource to teach elementary school children about dementia and how to support someone living with the disease. The book follows a young boy on a journey with his grandmother who is living with Alzheimer’s.
The Teaching Resource is ava i l ab l e i n Eng l i sh Elementary school libraries across the Island, reaching students from grades 4-6!
Additional copies are also available on loan from the Alzheimer Society office, located at 166 Fitzroy Street in Charlottetown.
Have you ever considered participating in research? Clinical research uses human volunteers to study the effects of an exposure (i.e. drug or behaviour) on a health outcome. The knowledge gained through clinical research can help prevent, diagnose, or treat Alzheimer’s disease and related
dementias. Beware becoming involved in any research study, check out our Guide to Participating in Research. For more information on research studies you could become involved in, please click here.
Brain Donation An easy way you can help advance research for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is through brain donation. Brain donations from individuals with dementia and those who are neurologically normal are equally important to distinguish between changes caused by the disease and those of normal aging. To donate your brain to the Maritime Brain Tissue Bank, you include a request for autopsy in your Health Care Directive and complete a Health PEI Intent to Donate form. All forms should indicate your request to donate to the Maritime Brain Tissue Bank in writing. A consent for autopsy form must also be signed at or preferably before death. For more information about brain donation procedures on PEI, please click here.
Brain BoostersParticipating in Research
Brain Booster #1
How many common five letter words can you make from the following letters, using all the letters in each word? AELST Brain Booster #2
How much dirt is there in a hole that measures two feet by three feet by four feet?
Brain Booster #3
Sherry’s father has five daughters- Sasa, Sese, Sisi, Soso. What is the name of the fifth daughter?
