I have dementia: I want to learn
Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that destroys brain cells, causing thinking ability and memory to deteriorate over time. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging and is irreversible.
To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, visit the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s website and review the brochure, What is Alzheimer’s disease?
We encourage individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease to contact us and to participate in our First Steps learning series, offered in-person and online.
When symptoms of dementia start before the age of 65, we use the term “young onset dementia”.
To learn more about the unique challenges that young onset dementia brings, visit the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s website and review our peer-developed Young Onset Dementia resource booklet. You may also be interested in the Personal Checklist intended to help people be aware of the signs and symptoms of Young Onset Dementia.
We encourage individuals diagnosed with young onset dementia to contact us and to participate in our First Steps learning series, offered in-person and online.
While Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, there are numerous other forms of dementia.
Below are three common types of other dementias:
To learn more about these types of dementias and others, visit the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s website.
We encourage individuals diagnosed with any form of dementia to contact us & to participate in our First Steps learning series, offered in-person and online.
First Steps helps people newly diagnosed with dementia understand the diagnosis and the changes they experience.
This free multi-week learning series is offered over 4 weeks in-person (or 6 weeks online) and you can attend by yourself or with a family member or friend. The groups are kept small and offered in a way that everyone learns.
First Steps will help you to understand the diagnosis and learn tips and strategies that will help you live well, day to day. Through this learning series, you will also learn:
- the different types of dementia
- the resulting changes in the brain
- planning for the future
- strategies to remain independent for as long as possible
Participating in the First Steps Learning Series will introduce you to other individuals who are also living with dementia.
This free 8-week learning series is offered in-person. The groups are kept small and are offered in a way that everyone learns.
Taking Control of Our Lives covers a range of topics including:
- What is dementia?
- Communication Strategies
- Adapting to Change
- Living Safely in the Community
- Finding Meaning and Purpose
Participating in Taking Control of Our Lives will introduce you to other individuals who are also living with dementia.
Finding Your Way® helps people living with dementia, their families, care partners, and communities recognize and reduce the risks of going missing by being prepared.
The Finding Your Way® website offers educational courses about Living Safely in the Community, an opportunity to learn about locating technology, and access to other free resources.
Throughout our education learning series, our facilitators will discuss the Finding Your Way® program and share resources with participants.
