DEMENTIA VENTURES
UNDERSTANDING &
LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
In addition to many books written from different perspectives at your public library, here is online information
EDUCATION & LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPS
Full range of resources and services for people living with Alzheimer Disease or related dementias, their care partners and families, some available in several languages.
DEMENTIA CONNECTIONS
Dementia Connections Canada Ltd.
“Dementia Connections is the only life-style magazine in Canada focused on supporting people living with dementia, care partners and families to live a good life, despite dementia… gain a deeper understanding of the lived experience of dementia.”
STAR Science & Technology for Aging Research
“In response to COVID-19 and in a time where self isolation is imperative STAR has curated a comprehensive set of resources and solutions …constantly updated.” Keeping Healthy, Community Support, Cognitive Health & Dementia, Technology Basics, Living Independently, Mobility & Transportation, etc.
GAIA COMMUNITY CARE & WELLNESS SOCIETY
BC-based “charitable organization aims to support the health and wellness of Chinese and other older adults and their families….provides seniors and those caring for them with the knowledge, skills, and nurturing support they need to ease the stresses of aging.” Workshops, Webinars, Wellness Services (Qigong, Chair Yoga & Brain Games), Caregiver Wellspring etc.
Canadian Centre for Elder Law, Alzheimer Society of BC
A set of resources on the decision-making rights of people living with dementia: three short animated videos, and a booklet. The booklet is available in English, French, Traditional Chinese and Punjabi.”
Alzheimer Society of BC
“Jim Mann, a member of the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s Leadership Group of People Living with Dementia, shines a light on the lesser-known impact of COVID-19 on people living with dementia.”
The ‘global voice’ for dementia with many resources and services for people living with dementia and care partners
“Online support groups and other activities for our members, free of charge in number of different time zones”
Diverse resources for people experiencing dementia, care partners, professionals
UWLM CORE Healthy
Aging 105 min.
Four panelists:
Nadine Jans, clinical counselor. Ways to significantly improve behaviours, moods, and relationships for connection and meaning in the lives of people living with dementia and their care partners.
Dr. Sharon Koehn, social gerontologist. Experiences of dementia and access to services by older immigrants focusing on Korean and Punjabi communities.
Alice Lung, retired LPN. Care partner for husband with Early Onset Dementia. Cultural understanding about aging and dementia among Chinese immigrants..
Elder Kat Norris, First Nations cultural educator. Awareness of proper diagnosis and care of indigenous persons living with dementia aligned with cultural understandings and traditions.
Recording here
ENGAGING ACTIVITY PROGRAMS
SMILE BRAIN PROGRAM - WEST COAST HEALTHY MEMORY SOCIETY
“Smile Brain Program is 12 weeks, 90 minute program based for seniors to continue and increase their memory, self-confidence, and social connection with others….similar to a program in Japan.”
“Improving quality of life for people living with dementia and their care partners… Zinnia’s content channels feature familiar faces, subjects, and sounds to help people feel engaged and connected... beautiful, immersive videos on familiar and well-loved topics are crafted to be meaningful.” Nature, Places, Nostalgia, Interests, Conversation Starters, Care Messages, Activities.
UBC multidisciplinary & colleagues abroad
"Showcases collaborative art made by a warm, inter-connected and supported community. Comprising people living with dementia and their care partners, academic researchers, and art workshop facilitators alike, this community has joined together, engaging with multi-media art projects, and cultivating insightful discussions." Artwork, film, gallery, survey, & much more.
“Seattle-based grassroots movement empowering persons with memory loss and their loved ones to remain connected and active in the community ...variety of dementia-friendly opportunities.” Links to mostly free virtual programs in the time of COVID-19 - Art, Poetry & Museums; Virtual Music & Dance; Exercise & Workouts; Videos of Zoos, Parks, Travel & More
"Find information about Virtual Memory Cafes that you can access with a computer or by phone...from the comfort and safety of your own home." English, Spanish, Portuguese offered.
VICTORIA, BC
"In addition to a joy-filled choral experience, all participants in a Voices in Motion choir benefit from belonging to a supportive community where they experience love, connection and support. These life-giving moments of music foster increased socialization, cognitive function, meaningfulness, and a multigenerational appreciation of others." Opportunities to join online.
RESEARCH
RESEARCH-BASED EDUCATION & SUPPORT
NATIONAL COLLABORATING CENTRE FOR INDIGENOUS HEALTH
“Cultural safety and Indigenous-specific anti-racism tools and resources…to support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis public health renewal and health equity through … evidence-based resources, multi-media products, and knowledge translation services…hosted by the University of Northern BC.”
Learn more
“Goal is to enhance knowledge of how Indigenous peoples understand and experience dementia and the impact of dementia on Indigenous peoples and communities.” Culturally Safe Care and Factsheets, Cultural Understandings, Practice Tools, Technology for Aging, International Strategies for Diagnosis
“P.I.E.C.E.S.™ is a holistic, person and care partner-directed model which enhances capacity at the individual, TEAM, organization and system levels to support the care of the older individual.”
P.I.E.C.E.S.™ Cornerstones + P.I.E.C.E.S.™ Enablers =
Enhanced Person & Care Partner Engagement AND Enhanced Organizational & System Capacity
McMaster Optimal Aging Portal, BMJ 2021
“In people with dementia and symptoms of depression, some nondrug interventions reduce depression symptoms more than usual care. Nondrug interventions were as good as, or better than, drugs…brief descriptions of nondrug interventions.”
Foundations in Dementia (University of Nottingham)
“Discover better ways to support people with dementia. Explore signs and symptoms, interventions, support networks and more.”
The Many Faces of Dementia (University College London)
“Gain a unique insight into dementia through the stories, symptoms and science behind four less common diagnoses.”
Dementia and the Arts: Sharing Practice, Developing Understanding and Enhancing Lives (University College London)
“Explore, challenge and shape your perceptions of dementia through science and the creative arts.”
MEDIA
ONLINE WEBINARS, TED TALKS, YOUTUBE VIDEOS
DEMENTIA
DIALOGUE PODCASTS AND RESOURCES
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.
Website here
In 2018-2019, the Alzheimer Society British Columbia hosted a series of webinars: Understanding Dementia; Understanding Communication (2-part); Behaviour (2-part). Search for understanding dementia.
Free signup for CORE access, then search for videos, webinars, documents with search term 'dementia'. Examples: Gitxsan Way of Knowing About Dementia; Caregiving during COVID-19; Korean Navigating to Care; Legal Rights; Alzheimer Society of BC Webinar Training Series (5 parts)
“Feedspot has a team of over 25 experts whose goal is to discover and rank popular blogs, podcasts and youtube channels in several niche categories... List is updated as we receive new blog submissions and re-ranked every few weeks. We also take direct feedback from users to make changes to the lists.”
A geropsychologist, Dr. Natali Edmonds, invites you to watch free videos weekly and offers a subscription to a collection of Mini-booster videos designed to reduce caregiver stress.
“My goal was to reach as many Careblazers as possible and let them know they aren’t alone and there is help...help families get trustworthy and helpful information about common dementia struggles.” Free Caregiver Survival Guide.
SEARCH FOR "BRAIN"
Examples: Anne Basting How to Meaningfully Reconnect with Those Who Have Dementia; Lisa Genova What You Can Do to Prevent Alzheimer’s and more.