Each January, in Canada, during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the Alzheimer Society of Canada makes information available to encourage the rest of us to learn more about dementia diseases and the impact they have on families.
Read brochure What is Alzheimer’s disease?
The Alzheimer Society of Canada specifically talks about the January Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and elaborates on topics so we can learn more.
Their suggestions are outlined:
1- Connect with a local Alzheimer Society
2- Learn more about stigma against dementia
3- Read stories of those who have lived with dementia and their caregivers
4- Share your story
5- Support Alzheimer Society initiatives to raise awareness
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
This is another opportunity for me as a caregiver of one with Alzheimer’s to help disseminate available resources, plus information the Society and the various regional websites, provide online.
Your participation may begin by sharing this information with someone you know. You might be the one to encourage a loved one, or a caregiver, or families and friends who want to learn so they can be supportive.
There are different Alzheimer Society websites and each one has information that might be ‘the one piece of information’ about situations and behaviours that spurs caregivers or unsuspecting loved ones to get help. We all can do a little, but the help to a floundering caregiver is huge.
The Alzheimer Society of Hamilton Halton has partnered with the Halton Hills Public Library to promote the aspect of caregiving during this Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
I am honored that in their video, “A Conversation for Caregivers: with Judy Shone,” Danielle Arbour, Public Education Coordinator at the Halton office, will be talking with me, as we give a glimpse into the world of caregiving in hopes of shining a light that can help dissipate misunderstandings. My hope is that I have been able, in some way, to help do that. (Press release)
Visit YouTube video.:
A Conversation for Caregivers: with Judy Shone
Educating ourselves about the signs, hearing stories others tell, understanding how we can become support for those who deal with this on a daily basis will be of immense help to those who are living with this serious disease of Alzheimer’s.
Learning what we can includes learning from what is available to us online. In particular the Alzheimer Society of Hamilton Halton (Ontario) has developed an At Home program to make it easier to learn and participate and focus on the main areas that concern so many:
1-Education
2-Activities
3-Fitness
4-Support
Another source of continuing information is the Newsletter that societies put out. Ask to be put on their mailing list or sign up with the branches you would like to hear from and get their most updated event schedules, news items and information.
NOTE: To sign up for the ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF HAMILTON HALTON Newsletter, see the right side bar here, just below the social media icons.
Remember, here on our site:
EDUCATION AND RESOURCES a variety of linked helpful resources
RSS FEEDS Reading Options of linked current articles and research related to Alzheimers.
To be sure, there are other resources to help with education related to the various aspects of dementia. Our libraries are excellent sources of knowledge, as are other caregivers, doctors, and other health organizations like Acclaim Health in Oakville, Ontario. Reach out to learn.
LINKS TO PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES
To read the information on their websites, bookmark these links, or return here to find them.
Also on each home page there is an opportunity to link to other Society websites, by province.
From the page Alzheimer Society Connections, here on our Accepting the Gift of Caregiving blogsite, the following links are to the home page of each region. In some cases, Society branches within the provinces will have their own locally-focused websites. Look for those within the provincial websites.
Alzheimer Society Canada
Alzheimer Society Alberta & NW Territories
Alzheimer Society British Columbia
Alzheimer Society Manitoba
Alzheimer Society New Brunswick
Alzheimer Society Newfoundland and Labrador
Alzheimer Society Nova Scotia
Alzheimer Society Prince Edward Island
Alzheimer Society Ontario
Alzheimer Society Quebec
Alzheimer Society Saskatchewan
This month is an opportunity to learn about the programs, the initiatives, the events, related to Alzheimer’s taking place in your area. But we really do not have to wait for January to begin to learn. Reach out to learn.
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month (c) 2021 Judith Allen Shone
Accepting the Gift of Caregiving 