NEWS
“Participants can join from all over the world to share their passion for music and find purpose through community wellness and the appreciation for the arts…preserve speech and communication for those living with Parkinson's Disease and other neurological disorders. No musical background is necessary. A student BC Brain Wellness Program volunteer will be guiding you through the registration and practice process.
Date: Register and submit your singing videos is August 15th, 2022.
Fee: $25 to receive practice materials: rehearsal schedule, sheet music, lyrics, practice videos, and instructions for uploading your videos
Details and registration here or email jenniferlim4063@gmail.com
By October 31, 2022
DEMSCAPE PROJECT
SFU, UBC, UNBC, Alzheimer Society of Canada
Dementia-Inclusive Streets and Community Access, Participation and Engagement (DemSCAPE) is
Inviting people living with early-stage (mild to moderate) dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment and their care partners or family (as needed) to participate. Project aims: Understanding how people living with mild to moderate dementia use their streets; Exploring how streets and outdoor paces can be made more accessible and dementia-friendly
We are seeking 3 to 5 more participants to meet our target sample size in Metro Vancouver by the end of October 2022.
DemSCAPE call for participants here
Project summary here
Website here
November 5, 2022
MUSIC CARE CONFERENCE
14th Annual Canadian Music Care Conference: Music & Wellness: How does music help provide a pathway to both physical and mental wellness? Presenters are experts in their field either through academic training, clinical or life experience. Participants include allied healthcare providers, family and volunteer caregivers, care receivers, musicians, faith-based and community agencies, students and the community-at-large.
Date: Sat Nov 5, 2022
In-person or virtual attendance
Location: Inn at the Quay in New Westminster, BC
Details & registration here
By August 15, 2022
SING OUT VIRTUAL CHOIR
BC Brain Wellness Centre
August 10 & 24, 2022
PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA SHARE THEIR WISDOM
Murray Alzheimer Research & Education Program
Myrna Norman hosts this three-part-webinar series…panelists will discuss their experience receiving their diagnosis, as well as the stigma and misconceptions around dementia…free, join one or both…connect with a strong, supportive community…hear first-hand experiences and insights from those living with dementia…learn how to live well with dementia and ways to provide support. Myrna asks: “What can your community do for you?”
Dates: August 10 and 24, 2022 10:30-12:00pm PDT
Register here
September 16, 2022
WORKSHOP ON HEALTHY AGING
UBC Idea Lab
“People living with dementia, caregivers, and researchers…Exhibition of your pictures… Join us and celebrate diversity and inclusion for people living with visible or invisible disabilities…help understand healthy aging practices in a dementia friendly community.”
Location: VGH Tapestry Room 2821 Heather St. at 10th Ave., Vancouver
Time: Fri, September 16th 10:00am-12:00pm
Event 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!
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.
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...."
Ongoing sessions: Click here
Latest addition: Click here for
Informal Respite and Supports vs Formal Respite and Supports
ONGOING
LISTENING TO FAMILY CAREGIVERS
CALL TO MIND PODCAST
University of Victoria, BC
“An evening of listening and dialogue about caregiving, love and memory loss. In this free in-person and livestreamed event, a distinguished panel of experts will lead a discussion about policy, research, supports and resources, and the challenges and rewards of caregiving.”
Panel discussion recorded
Video 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.”
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.”
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.
Fall program registration here
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.
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.”
YouTube here
Facebook here
Starting in September
DEMENTIA VENTURES AT KITS HOUSE
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.”
Availability of counselling services within BC’s Health Authorities here
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.
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Participate in focus group
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Become a volunteer buddy
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Train as a community member
Contact thaisl@kitshouse.org or call 604-736-3588 ext. 127
ONGOING
ENGAGING IN MEANINGFUL ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE OF CARE SETTINGS
McMaster Optimal Aging Portal
What’s the impact on People Living with Dementia?
“Engaging in meaningful activities outside of care home settings can improve psychological wellbeing in older adults with dementia…people with dementia and/or their caregivers should engage in discussions…and assess the ability of care facilities to provide such an offering.”
Evidence Summary here
Systematic review here