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Enter site to know more about the Help Lines. HELP LINES SAIL: Seniors Abuse & Information Line Confidential service for older adults who are experiencing abuse or mistreatment, offering information and support. Learn More Alzheimer Society - First Link® Dementia Helpline If you have questions about Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, call the Alzheimer Society of B.C.'s First Link® Dementia Helpline for information and support (toll-free): Dial: English: 1-800-936-6033 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.) - Cantonese and Mandarin: 1-833-674-5007 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Punjabi: 1-833-674-5003 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Web: https://alzheimer.ca/bc/en/help-support/find-support-bc/first-link-dementia-helpline Learn More Ability411 Assistive Technologies & Equipment Web-based service for answers to questions and practical information about technologies, tools and equipment that increase independence and wellbeing for BC seniors, and support their families and care teams. Multilingual: Use an online translation app Web: https://www.ability411.ca/find-answers Ask a question https://www.ability411.ca/ask-new-question Learn More bc211 Information & Referral Services bc211 is a British Columbia, non-profit organization that provides a free, confidential, multilingual (160 languages) information about community, government and social services in BC. As a response to COVID-19, bc211 accepts applications for the Safe Seniors, Strong Communities program, both from seniors wanting help and from volunteers willing to step up and help with non-medical needs. Multilingual : Yes (160 languages) Hours : 24/7 Contact: Dial: 211 Text: 211 Web: https://www.bc211.ca Twitter: @bc211Help Email: help@bc211.ca Learn More 811 HealthLink BC Free provincial health information and advice phone line available 24/7. Learn More Greater Vancouver Seniors Distress Line Offers emotional support for seniors in distress. Available 24/7 at 604-872-1234. Learn More BC Seniors' Advocate Provides information and referrals related to health care, housing, income supports, and personal supports for seniors. Learn More Greater Vancouver Seniors Distress Lines Provides emotional support for seniors in distress within the Greater Vancouver area. Learn More bc211 Information & Referral Services 24/7 multilingual service providing information on community, government, and social services across British Columbia. Learn More Seniors Transportation Options Need help getting around British Columbia? This is an initiative of B.E.S.T. (Better Environmentally Sound Transportation). You can find various transportation options: public transit, HandyDart, as well as community shuttle services, taxis and private driver services,volunteer ride programs, and walking groups in various regions of the province.. Web here : https://www.seniorsonthemove.org/transportation-options-for-seniors-metro-vancouver#/ Learn More 311 City of Vancouver Helpline for information about city operations and services, as well as reporting issues. Learn More Crisis Centre of BC Immediate access to barrier-free, non-judgmental, confidential support and follow-up to youth, adults, and seniors throughout 24/7 phone lines and online services. The Distress Services program provides support to vulnerable individuals across British Columbia. Multilingual: Yes (140 languages) Hours: 24/7 distress phone line and online chat services between noon and 1:00am Contact: Dial: Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line: 604-872-3311 Anywhere in BC 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433 Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 Web: https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/ Chat: Adults: www.CrisisCentreChat.ca (Noon to 1am) Learn More Ability 411 Assistive Technologies & Equipment Offers information on assistive technologies and equipment to help seniors maintain independence. Learn More Seniors Transportation Options An initiative by B.E.S.T. (Better Environmentally Sound Transportation) providing various transportation options for seniors in British Columbia. Learn More SAIL: Seniors Abuse & Information Line SAIL is a province-wide confidential service for older adults, and those who care about them, to talk to a trained intake worker about abuse or mistreatment. Seniors will receive information and support about issues that impact their health and wellbeing. Multilingual: Yes, upon request (180 languages) Hours: 8am-8pm 7 days/week (excluding holidays) Contact: Dial: 604-437-1940 or toll-free 1-866-437-1940 TTY Equipment: 604-428-3359 or toll-free 1-855-306-1443 Web: http://seniorsfirstbc.ca/programs/sail Learn More Alzheimer Society - First Link® Dementia Helpline Offers information and support for individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. Learn More 811 HealthLink BC 811 is a free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line available in British Columbia to speak to a health service navigator, who can help you find non-emergency health information and services; or connect you directly with a registered nurse, a registered dietitian, a qualified exercise professional, or a pharmacist. Multilingual : Yes (130 languages) For translated resources in French, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese Go to https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/services-and-resources/translated-resources Hours : 24/7 Contact: Dial: 811 Web: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/ For nursing services: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/nursing-services For dietitian services: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/dietitian-services For pharmacist services: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/pharmacist-services For qualified exercise professionals: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/physical-activity-services Learn More BC Seniors' Advocate Speak with an Information & Referral analyst or consult website about health care, housing, income supports, personal supports, transportation. Seniors’ services research reports and Long-term Care Quick Facts Directory. Provide feedback on seniors’ services. Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (except statutory holidays) Contact: Dial: toll-free 1-877-952-3181 or in Victoria 250-952-3181 Web: https://www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca/ Learn More AssistList: Home Health Equipment Exchange “Helping simplify the exchange of home health equipment for our community” with blog, resources and searchable database of equipment listings, …”facilitating safe exchanges across Metro Vancouver by creating a network of Community Exchange Zones to help us facilitate safe exchanges across Metro Vancouver.” Non-profit operated by staff and volunteers; funded by partners and donors. Multilingual: Use an online translation app Hours: equipment list is available 24/7 here Contact: online here with questions Learn More 311 City of Vancouver Help line within the City for seeking information about operations and services or to report problems. During COVID-19 only use 311 for urgent requests or language interpretation. Otherwise use online chat and email at City website. Multilingual : Yes Hours : 7am to 10pm daily Live chat 9am-4pm Contact: Dial 311 within Metro Vancouver. Outside Vancouver: 604-873-7000 App: VanConnect Web: https://vancouver.ca/your-government/contact-the-city-of vancouver.aspx Learn More AssistList: Home Health Equipment Exchange Platform for exchanging home health equipment, facilitating access to necessary items for seniors. Learn More

The Hub encourages everyone to know about Help Lines that provide credible information to callers with questions and concerns. We also provide selected resources here for Dementia Ventures, since that is the Hub's focus in 2020-2023. RESOURCES The Hub encourages everyone to know about Help Lines that provide credible information to callers with questions and concerns. Help Lines DEMENTIA VENTURES RESOURCES We also provide selected resources here for Dementia Ventures , since that is the Hub's focus in 2020-2023. Understanding & living with dementia Guides for inclusive Programming Tools for Engagement Research Reports & Data

In addition to many books written from different perspectives at your public library, here is online information. 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 Research Engaging Activity Programs Media EDUCATION & LINKS TO SUPPORT GROUPS DEMENTIA ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL 老年人領導： 噸 他樞紐是seniors'主導，以更好地滿足老年人的需求。它認識到多代人和同齡人需要不同的活動和支持，從而促進了健康的衰老過程。老年人為增加老年人計劃的可訪問性和解決老年人之間的興趣多樣性提供指導。 Education & Links ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF CANADA IN BRITISH COLUMBIA 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. Learn More 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.” Learn More SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY "STAR" INSTITUTE 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. Learn More 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. Learn More HEALTH CARE DECISION-MAKING: LEGAL RIGHTS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA 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.” Learn More CULTURAL AWARENESS IN DEMENTIA CARE: LIVED EXPERIENCES 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 Return to Top Engaging activity programs 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.” Learn More ZINNIA TV “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. Start with a free trial, then can subscribe if desired. Learn More IN THERE OUT HERE: ART MAKING SPACE TO LIVE WELL WITH DEMENTIA 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. Learn More CAFÉ CONNECT: VIRTUAL MEMORY CAFÉ DIRECTORY " 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." Scroll down to check calendar of offerings - most are in English, some in Spanish, and a few in French and Portuguese. Learn More Return to Top Research 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 INDIGENOUS COGNITION & AGING AWARENESS RESEARCH EXCHANGE (I-CAARE) “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 Learn More P.I.E.C.E.S. ™ LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT MODEL “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 Learn More WHAT TYPE OF TREATMENTS REDUCE DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS IN PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA? A SYSTEMIC REVIEW 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.” Learn More Return to Top Media 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 HEALTHY AGING CORE: COLLABORATIVE ONLINE RESOURCES & EDUCATION Free signup for CORE access, then search for videos, webinars, documents with search term 'dementia.' Many recordings of past webinars and links to upcoming ones. Learn More CAREBLAZERS 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 and free YouTube videos on a wide range of topics. Learn More TED TALKS Some of the latest science about how the brain works and a search for the word 'dementia' brings up a wide variety of related issues. Learn More Back to Resources - Dementia Ventures

Community Cafés ASK Friendship Society is seeking a broad and diverse perspective on future programs and services that ASK might provide for both older adults and caregivers in our new multipurpose 9,000 square foot facility in the Arbutus Redevelopment at Nanton Ave and Arbutus Street. In 2025, we are hosting a series of Community Cafés, each focused on engaging a specific community group. More information about opportunities to participate here . To take a survey click here . Please join the conversation! Your City, Your Voice, The City of Vancouver by-election for two vacant City Councillor positions takes place on Saturday, April 5th. A brochure describes who is eligible to vote, registration requirements, three ways to vote in advance or on election day, candidates on the ballot with links to their information, and in-person City voting locations - only community centres or City Hall. Make your voice heard on City issues of concern! Dying, Death, Burial, Bereavement Resource Fair Representatives of various organizations will be present to offer resources and discuss funeral and burial costs, advance planning, bereavement support services, and related resources. Learn what you can do to plan ahead. Free event, light refreshments, registration encouraged, 604-558-5709 or seniorsoutreach@jfsvancouver.ca or online via QR code on poster . Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025 10:00 am-1:00 pm Location: 1825 West 16th Ave., Canadian Memorial Centre for Peace

Upcoming events listed below celebrate seniors aging well. Most events are online, but that is changing!  Organizations offering seniors' programs have some in-person programs underway. A collective listing of virtual (from the Internet) programs for the Metro Vancouver area is available here

Check out the Events. Events - Return to top SOUND BYTES SERIES Return to top Hub Community Action That Builds Capacity The Dementia Ventures project empowers Hub Partners to build out inclusive community programming for all and adapt to include people living with dementia. They and their care partners want to remain socially engaged in meaningful activities. A collaboration with UBC’s Dr. Alison Phinney and her Building Capacity team offers financial, strategic and logistical resources so programs can welcome and support those with dementia and their care partners. We celebrated midway in this initiative with a series of vibrant online community dialogues. The theme was: “What it means to be an accepting and inclusive community.” SoundBytes wants to share wisdom from those dialogues. Here are our first nuggets. There will be many more! BC-based artist and advocate Granville Johnson spoke out about fear and the power of our perspective on Dementia Dialogue's most recent podcast episode, addressing the ways we can choose to gain some sense of control and joy back into our lives even in the face of new challenges. Watch Full Event HERE PERSPECTIVE IS EVERYTHING In the most recent podcast episode of Dementia Dialogue, Dr. Alison Phinney discusses the stigma attached to dementia diagnoses and how that impacts community support efforts. She speaks with host Lisa Loiselle and fellow podcast guest Granville Johnson, who lives with dementia himself, about the important balance to be struck between training and education on one hand, and engaging with people with lived experience on the other. The Biggest Challenge to Community Support for People Living with Dementia Watch Full Event HERE WHAT HOLDS US BACK Karen Rolston’s mother Louise started getting inklings something was a little “off” back in 2011. At the time, the Rolstons were already in the process of creating a laneway house on their property for her, so they could live close together. The timing worked out well. Louise lived there for seven years beside her daughter Karen, Karen’s husband, and their daughter. Those years were, “a beautiful opportunity for us to just wrap mom with more support and care while she was able to live in her own space,” Karen said. When Karen thinks about the journey she has been on with her mom, and the reactions from people when it comes to dementia, the word that comes to mind is fear. “People find out someone has dementia, and they think, ‘Am I going to receive this diagnosis too?’ ‘Is someone I love going to get dementia?’” Rolston said. Fear seeps in and too often, people pull away. “People often don’t know what to say or do, so they turn away from those with dementia instead of turning toward them with love,” Rolston said. Rolston is extremely grateful for community supports. Her mom really enjoyed the Alzheimer Society’s Minds in Motion program, the Alzheimer’s Café and the Helena choir she joined. “These community groups are where we felt really held,” she said. “It’s such a painful journey and there is still so much we can do.” In this Soundbyte, Rolston offers her thoughts on how to really tune into a person’s needs and meet them where they are, rather than seeing their responses as resistance or defiance. Loving and showing up for someone with dementia is about cherishing the now, embracing their world, and accepting what is. TURNING TOWARDS THE PERSON WITH DEMENTIA A care partners perspective on what helps. Watch Full Event HERE Esteemed Globe and Mail Columnist André Picard wrote Neglected No More: The Urgent Need to Improve the Lives of Canada’s Elders in the Wake of a Pandemic in 2021, a book that discusses what needs to change to shift the culture of long-term care across our country. “Picard reveals the full extent of the crisis in eldercare and offers an urgently needed prescription to fix a broken system and ensure long-term care homes are not warehouses of isolation and neglect” Penguin Random House states on their site. Care home COVID outbreaks seemed to be exploding in every region of the country at the time, drawing attention to the deplorable working conditions they had for employees, the resulting neglect residents experienced, and the total lack of support for the institutions in general. In this storyboard, Picard says media needs to highlight not just worst-case scenarios meant to shock and awe, but stories about people living quite well for a long time with dementia. Seeing more people with dementia in our day-to-day activities—including in the news— would normalize that experience as a way of reducing stigma. Lastly, he emphasized the importance of having people with dementia sit on boards and committees on which they get a real vote in the outcomes of important decisions. ANDRÉ PICARD ON THE MEDIA'S ROLE IN STAMPING OUT STIGMA Watch Full Event HERE Rob Dramer and Lilllian Ireland are self-identified elders who work with the Suzuki foundation mentoring and supporting other elders and younger generations in dialogue and action on environmental issues. They're also traveling performers who offer a multi-sensory show featuring songs they've written about biodiversity, interspersed with some familiar tunes to help audiences tap into earlier memories. Music elicits powerful connections, and they invite audience members to join in the fun alongside them and their collection of beautiful local animal puppets. On the value of art in supporting the dementia journey... Watch Full Event HERE SUZUKI ELDERS Myrna Norman is an author, artist, and dementia advocate based in Maple Ridge. In 2009, when Norman was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia and given eight years to live, she went home ready to die. But after grieving this news for a couple of weeks, Norman decided to do what she’s best at: advocating for change. She became heavily involved in initiatives that let others in her situation know they weren’t alone. Thirteen years later, Norman’s passion, generosity of spirit, and charisma have touched so many lives. Her book, “Dementia Strategies, Tips and Personal Stories,” has become an indispensable voice of validation and support. Norman has participated in multi-year research studies, art-making groups and task forces including The Dementia Sisterhood, the Dementia Action Committee, Dementia Advocacy Canada, the Dementia Friendly Task Force, and now the Building Capacity Project to name just a few. She’s also collaborating with researchers and designers at Emily Carr University’s Health Design Lab to develop a series of workbooks geared at supporting researchers to engage in collaborative work with people with lived experience. And to all these roles, she brings her signature energy, compassion, and love for showing people their strength. On the value of art in supporting the dementia journey... Watch Full Event HERE POETRY A dedicated group of congregation members at Pacific Spirit United Church worked together over the course of a year to create an incredible and insightful four-part series on dementia that you can access online. They had noticed church members struggling with cognitive decline and family members worried about finding extra care, so they dove in to offer support. Their commitment to fostering a dementia friendly culture at their church has since inspired many other groups to take action too. For more details go to www.pacificspiritc.com and click on "ministries". The series is under "Beacon *shinning light on dementia." BEACON *Shining Light on Dementia An Initiative to build an inclusive congregation at Pacific Spirit United Church. Summary HERE Watch Full Event HERE The Flipping Stigma Toolkit is a project where a group of people diagnosed with dementia partnered with a research team to develop an online toolkit. This Action Group, funded by a research grant from the Canadian Institute of Health and Research, co-designed the toolkit to help people with dementia recognize and respond to stigma and discrimination -and to help others better understand ho to be supportive-. The Goa? Flip that fear on its ear. To learn more visit www.flippingstigma.com LET´S TALK ABOUT DEMENTIA THE FLIPPING STIGMA TOOLKIT An Action Group of people living with dementia came together and developed a toolkit to start a conversation about stigma and discrimination in dementia. Watch Full Event HERE Granville Johnson is an artist and teacher whose advocacy work is always led by his passion for lifting people up. In this piece, he talks about the ways his art and his lived experience inform each other. He sees dementia as an opportunity for insight. “Dementia gives you a chance to express your inner self, the good, the bad and the ugly. And in that expression, there are opportunities to grow.” He focuses on what he can do, rather than what he can’t. He believes the more society can get behind the idea of championing strengths rather than focusing on deficits, the stronger our community will become. Johnson lives in a remote part of Northern British Columbia and thrives in its natural beauty. NEW PERSPECTIVES Shifting the conversation on dementia involves recognizing its gifts. Watch Full Event HERE Researchers and designers at Emily Carr University’s Health Design Lab use participatory design methods to catalyze, support and amplify initiatives addressing complex health challenges like dementia. “We use design methods to help engage people with dementia in initiatives that directly impact their lives,” said Lab Director Caylee Raber. The team’s current project is called Collaborate, Gather, Share—a workbook series co-designed by people with lived experience to help drive reflection around how they can be brought into research projects and how best to support those collaborations, recognizing people with dementia as experts. Their recent video, “Perspectives,” paired design students with long-term care residents. They co-designed and co-wrote mini publications featuring residents’ stories. Students developed creative games and activities to help draw out residents’ stories that they then captured in zines and mini-books, some even embroidered on quilts. Lastly, the team worked with Vancouver Coastal Health for four years on a project focused on shifting the culture of care in long-term facilities. All the Lab’s work focuses on how researchers and designers can use their skills and expertise to build upon work already being done—facilitating creative expression and self advocacy for people with dementia and getting those messages out to the world. EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY´S HEALTH DESIGN LAB Emily Carr University's Health Design Lab employs participatory methods to lift up the perspectives of people with lived experience. Watch Full Event HERE Author, artist, and dementia advocate Myrna Norman runs a peer support group for others with dementia in her lower mainland community called the Purple Angels Memory Café. The group meets four times a month, and sometimes outdoors in summer when the weather is beautiful. Every second week, it’s the Army and Navy Club for a beer and live music. Members take turns bringing refreshments and treats and have fundraised up to $300 to put towards games and activities they can play together. The group is a wonderful way to connect with others, share similar experiences, and gain support and a powerful sense of belonging. The best part? Membership is free. “The gift [members] give to me is so much more than could ever be paid,” said Norman. One new member who joined a couple of weeks ago turned to Myrna as he was leaving the Army and Navy Club and said, “Myrna, I feel different now. The music touched something inside of me.” “I still get the shivers thinking about it,” Norman said of the comment. It’s revelations like this one that drew her to this work. For more information or to check out the Purple Angels sometime, email Myrna Norman at: the.normans@shaw.ca REPRESENTATION MATTERS The power of seeing our experiences in the stories of others. Watch Full Event HERE Reverend Deborah Liang has been a minister in the United Church of Canada for 37 years, the last four at Pacific Spirit Kerrisdale. She's seen how good communities gather around people in both their joys and troubles, contributing immensely to their quality of life. She also served as chaplain at a rural hospital and learned so much from nurses and program staff there about support, respect and care for people with dementia. Shared values and perspectives. Watch Full Event HERE THE POWER OF SUPPORT FROM OUR FAITH & CULTURE GROUPS One Vancouver man who has been advocating for the treatment and care of people with dementia ever since his dementia diagnosis over a decade ago, discusses how dementia is viewed through various cultural lenses. He explains how those lenses affect families' and individual's responses to diagnosis and decisions around treatment. Watch Full Event HERE RESPONDING TO DEMENTIA THROUGH A CROSS-CULTURAL LENS BC artist and dementia advocate Granville Johnson talks about the importance of trusting one's sense of self above all else when living with dementia. "The world might not know we're capable, but we can know it and live it and continue to pursue our dreams." Johnson lives in remote part of British Columbia where he's currently working on a novel. Watch Full Event HERE TRUSTING OUR SENSE OF SELF ABOVE ALL ELSE When Lester was first diagnosed with dementia, he and his wife and care partner Cindy found that some of their friends and family reacted with disbelief. Others weren't sure how to talk to him. Sharing the Flipping Stigma toolkit with their church and social communities gave the couple a chance to contextualize dementia for those who didn't know much about it. The toolkit allayed fears, provided reassurance, and ultimately resulted in Lester AND Cindy feeling they could open up more about his diagnosis, feel less shame, and share more of their journey with the people they cared about. The toolkit helped them feel much more deeply understood. Watch Full Event HERE ON BRAVERY AND THE POWER OF SHARING OUR STORY Bill Heibein continues to live on the farm he shared with his late wife Heather just outside Kakabeka Falls, Ontario. When he was diagnosed with dementia in 2000, doctors told him he'd have about five more years to live "usefully". Twenty-two years later, he has proven them wrong. In addition to caring for his horses, Bill volunteers as an advocate with the Northwest Dementia Working Group, helps run Dementia Cafes in the community, and is passionate about encouraging others with lived experience to get involved, advocate for themselves, and find purpose. Bill says it's that deep sense of purpose that's fuelled his ability to thrive with dementia for so long, and he's confident others can do the same. Bill Heibein's Journey with Dementia Watch Full Event HERE HOW FOCUSING ON A PURPOSE BUILDS RESILIENCE When COVID-19 threatened to halt all their efforts in their tracks, Andrea Sara and her team found was to move online, gather virtually, solve problems, and dream big anyway. They worried for seniors who'd been hit particularly hard by increased isolation and wanted to ensure everyone in their community felt seen and supported. So, they went outside. They sought out "soothing spaces" where they could "feel safe socializing". That's how the Fireweed Club came to be. These days the DRA has its hand in so many wonderful initiatives, all which support inclusion, environmental awareness, and social engagement. A community works together to be more inclusive. Watch Full Event HERE MAPPING DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY CULTURE Dementia Educator and community advocate Helen Murphy has dedicated her career to making the North Shore and surrounding communities more dementia-friendly. She provides training for North Shore organizations, speaks to community groups, and volunteers in developing new programs and opportunities for people with dementia to live better lives in a community that is "wise, inclusive and socially integrated". Watch Full Event HERE ON THE VALUE OF INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTION The Building Capacity Project team in Thunder Bay, Ontario partners with the Northwest Dementia Working Group on a number of fantastic community initiatives. The team is very grateful to the NWDWG members who have volunteered to help run some of their Dementia Cafes over the years, for instance, as these cafes are a great opportunity for people in the community to witness for themselves how important representation is, how much capacity there is among people with lived experience, and to be a apart of breaking down stigma. THE NEED FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA IN ADVOCACY ROLES Lynn Jackson is an action group member with lived experience who played a key role in developing the Flipping Stigma Toolkit, a new online resource helping educate caregivers, people with lived experience, researchers, and the public at large about how to respond to stigma around dementia. Jackson talks about how important it is for care partners to empower people with dementia to stay engaged and active. Fostering autonomy while supporting someone with dementia works to maintain their sense of personhood. Treating them like they're sick makes them feel that way. Watch Full Event HERE CARE PARTNERS EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA Dr. Elaine Wiersma of the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health at Lakehead University talks about the need to amplify a wider cross section of voices when it comes to the lived experience of people with dementia. If our exposure of these experiences stays too narrow, we run the risk of silencing important wisdoms, staying uninformed as to the broad range of experiences, and keeping devastating stigmas alive. AMPLIFYING DIVERSE VOICES: THE VALUE OF LIVED EXPERIENCE Art is a powerful vehicle for shifting perceptions and shaping culture. AND it's one way of letting your voice be heard when the words themselves might be too hard to say. Whether it's a poem, a collage, a painting, or a dance, the arts can be incredibly helpful and moving for people with dementia at all stages of their journey, and can help the public gain insight into their experience. ART AS A VEHICLE FOR CHANGE

癡呆症風險投資公司……建設能力 癡呆症風險投資公司正在為癡呆症患者創造積極的社區機會，使其保持活躍和參與。 請參與 為癡呆症患者 創建一個更具包容性的社區 並提高社會公民意識 。 癡呆症風險投資公司正在建設社區能力，以使癡呆症患者參與有意義的活動！ Westside老年人中心合作夥伴組織正在努力調整當前計劃，並創建新的計劃 ，這些計劃 具有包容性，並使癡呆症患者能夠根據自己的興趣進行社交。 與癡呆症一起生活應該包括追求自己的激情！ 提供各種機會的社區表明，人們可以繼續為癡呆症診斷之外的社區生活做出積極貢獻。 想參與其中嗎？如果是這樣，是嗎？ 遇到認知困難 護理夥伴 項目負責人 與老年人一起工作的專業人士 積極進取的志願者 您 可以協助中心合作夥伴組織發展有吸引力的可持續性藝術 ，社交 ，健身 和志願者 活動。 中心夥伴希望癡呆症患者及其護理夥伴表達他們的需求和願望。合作夥伴還需要項目負責人，積極進取的志願者以及與老年人合作的專業人員的幫助。請 參與進來 ！ 噸 他的大局觀......由長者及其照顧合作夥伴的集體行動 從2019年至2023年，西區老年人中心將專注於 癡呆症風險投資 與 不列顛哥倫比亞大學和安大略省桑德貝的萊克黑德大學。 加拿大公共衛生局正在資助一項名為“ 提高老年癡呆症患者有意義參與能力的能力” 的總體項目 。 這是根據2019年機構全面計劃資助的首批基於社區的研究項目之一：加拿大癡呆症策略 。 Dementia Ventures is building community capacity to include people living with dementia and their care partners in meaningful activities! When communities provide diverse opportunities for these people to engage, they can remain vibrant contributors to community life well beyond a dementia diagnosis. Living with dementia shall include pursuing one’s passions! Dementia Ventures invites you to get involved in creating a more inclusive community and increasing social citizenship for people living with dementia. Join us in adapting current programs or creating new ones that are inclusive and enable people living with dementia to socialize according to their interests. Westside Seniors Hub Partner Organizations have a variety of opportunities underway to be more inclusive. Join any of our current projects described here . There are opportunities for anyone to help make communities more dementia-friendly. Get Involved Current Hub Partners Projects SoundBytes Series Fireweed Club News & Events Resources WE NEED DIVERSE PARTNERS TO HELP BUILD CAPACITY FOR GREATER INCLUSION! Everyone's skills and experiences can make a difference. Perhaps you are experiencing cognitive difficulties a care partner a program leader a professional working with seniors a motivated volunteer YOU can assist Hub Partner Organizations develop appealing and sustainable arts , social , fitness and volunteer activities. Hub Partners want people living with dementia and their care partners to express their needs and desires. Partners also need the assistance of program leaders, motivated volunteers, and professionals working with seniors. THE BIGGER PICTURE... COLLECTIVE ACTION BY ELDERS AND THEIR CARE PARTNERS From 2019-2023, the Westside Seniors Hub is focusing on Dementia Ventures in collaboration with the University of British Columbia and Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Find out more about the UBC and Lakehead University research team members here . The Public Health Agency of Canada is funding the umbrella project called Building Capacity for Meaningful Participation by People Living With Dementia . It is one of the first community-based research projects funded under a 2019 Agency comprehensive plan: A Dementia Strategy for Canada .

You are invited to help. Visit the Current Hub Partner Projects page to see which project is most attractive and contact the Partner sponsoring it, and consult the Opportunities page where Hub Partner Organizations advertise their most immediate needs. PERSON LIVING WITH DEMENTIA You are invited to help: suggest & plan appealing activity options shape what ongoing social citizenship looks like build new attitudes within your community sustain your quality of life Hub Partners need to hear from you! Please: visit the Current Hub Partner Projects page to see which project is most attractive and contact the Partner sponsoring it.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES Westside Seniors Hub Coordinator Join us to assist WSH leadership in the coordination and outreach to Westside stakeholders on seniors’ issues. Council is seeking a The Council Coordinator for a new 14 hours per week position to assist WSH leadership in coordination and outreach to Westside stakeholders on seniors’ issues. We are looking for a self-motivated individual with an interest in seniors’ issues. Details in the job description here . Please apply by May 13, 2024. Westside Seniors Hub Council Join the Council's Volunteer Team Council members: We are recruiting volunteers to join us and ensure that Westside neighbourhoods are places where seniors can thrive. To find out more about the role of Council in Hub affairs, click he re . For more details about a Council member's role, please click here Digital Communications Assistant: One or two people to assist with publishing the Hub's quarterly newsletter, Hub Bytes, and/or with maintaining the Hub's website up to date. More details here Family Caregivers of BC Join FCBC's Volunteer Team Support Group Facilitators: Seeking volunteers to create a safe and open space for caregivers to share their concerns and challenges. Facilitators are people with strong listening skills, discretion, empathy and ability to empower individuals to be involved in making decisions about their own care. Host and Virtual Assistant: For our Virtual Journal Workshop for Caregivers...an ongoing program offered to to caregivers who are interested in engaging in structured writing that is private and self-reflective...You would provide technical online support to the facilitator and participants . Caregiver Support Assistant: L ooking for two Caregiver Support Assistants to provide administration support to our caregiver support team at FCBC...use your technical skills to assist with general office duties, filing, emails, help with communication and outreach. More details and application forms here ASK Friendship Society CALLS for VOLUNTEERS Board Members: ASK is growing! Help lead and manage that process, we are looking to fill 2-4 Board positions with committed individuals who have experience in human resources, administration, fundraising, etc. Youth & student opportunities too, More details and application forms here

Collective action by and for seniors to build a more responsive and resilient community for seniors on the Westside of Vancouver, BC. LATEST NEWS DUNBAR SENIORS' CAFE St. Philip's Anglican Church Join us at the Dunbar Seniors' Cafe for lively conversations and friendship. Hostesses Janet Brown, Sheryl Mackay, and Judy Poliquin provide. October 15th from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Read More GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR TENANT COMPLAINS IN BC HOUSING BC Housing BC Housing has introduced new guiding principles to improve tenant experiences and complaint resolution among non-profit housing providers. These principles provide insights into tenant feedback and highlight areas for service enhancement. Read More VANCOUVER'S SENIORS HOUSING INITIATIVE City of Vancouver - Shape your City The City of Vancouver is launching the Social Housing Initiative to address affordable housing needs by modifying zoning regulations for mixed-income social, supportive, and cooperative housing without requiring rezoning. Read More FORGOTTEN RIGHTS - SENIORS NOT AFFORDED EQUAL RENT PROTECTION Office of the Seniors Advocate British Columbia “Approximately 30,000 seniors live in independent living units throughout B.C., and they should be afforded the same protections as other renters …". Read More GRANT OPPORTUNITIES Welcome to our Grant Opportunities section for senior organizations! Here, you'll find essential information about grants to support programs and services for seniors. Explore these opportunities to empower organization and make a positive impact in the community! VCH’s One-Time-Only Health Promotion and Capacity Building Project Grants (OTO) are for projects that are one-time-only in nature and intent, and that lead to greater equity in wellness by building on a community’s social, environmental, cultural, and economic foundations. Read more Funding for not-for-profit organizations, registered charities, and Indigenous partners. Funds help to plan, undertake and share research related to affordable housing in Canada. tage 1 applications must be submitted by September 27, 2024, at 2 p.m. Read more The goal of the PlanH Program is to support Indigenous and local governments, including health authorities, to advance policies, and strategies aimed at improving health equity, and well-being. Read more

CURRENT PROJECTS Together with Hub Partner Organizations, Council identifies where there are gaps in services and resources for seniors. Click on a button below to read more about current priorities for Hub collaborative actions. 西區老年人中心 老年人和集體的集體行動 西區老年人中心是一項計劃，旨在將當地的老年人和老年人服務組織聚集在一起，以確保西區社區成為老年人可以成長的地方。它起到提供信息“樞紐”的作用，增強人們對本地計劃和服務的認識。它在確定服務提供方面的差距方面發揮領導作用，並為老年人的問題提供社區支持。 Read more FOOD SECURITY Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Food is one of the first expenses to be reduced when one is struggling financially, and this disproportionally impacts vulnerable and marginalized individuals How is the Westside Seniors Hub involved with the Westside Food Collaborative? Read more

You can help! It is so important to remain socially, mentally and physically active when experiencing cognitive decline. Program leaders are essential partners in offering meaningful activities that are fun and inclusive, so community members living with dementia and their care partners look forward to participating. PROGRAM LEADERS YOU can help create a sense of belonging for people with dementia deliver diverse experiences facilitate expression of feelings stimulate the senses and emotions It is so important to remain socially, mentally and physically active when experiencing cognitive decline. Program leaders are essential partners in offering meaningful activities that are fun and inclusive, so community members living with dementia and their care partners look forward to participating. This website's Resources will help you understand how to engage and adapt your leadership skills so your language and approaches resonate and encourage everyone to remain active and involved in your programs. Hub Partners would like to hear from you! Visit the Current Hub Partner Projects page to see which project is most attractive and contact the Partner sponsoring it

Let the voices and experience of loved ones living with dementia inform the planning of meaningful activities that bring joy to everyone involved! You will find some amazing tools below to help you engage and make a difference. 參與工具 社會上各地的利益相關者都可以在遇到認知困難的親人中增強適應力。每個人都努力爭取社會包容和對人格的認可，癡呆症患者及其照料者也不例外。 成功培養抵禦力的秘訣是什麼？ 癡呆症風險投資公司的 目標是接觸廣泛的利益相關者，並為社區組織提供工具，以有效地與遇到認知挑戰的人們互動。 讓我們給他們更多機會！如何？ 讓患有癡呆症的親人的聲音和經歷告知有意義的活動的計劃，這些活動將為每個參與其中的人帶來歡樂！您將在下面找到一些出色的工具，以幫助您參與其中並有所作為。 強有力的言語和方法 有意義的參與 簡潔的變革理由 什麼構成了西區？ 我們將西區老年人中心的集水區定義為： 安大略街以西，一直到包括UBC和捐贈土地 康沃爾街和福溪的南部 海洋大道以北 請注意，集水區不包括市區半島或格蘭維爾島。 如果辦事處積極服務於Westside的 高級職員， 歡迎其辦公室位於我們服務區域以外的合作夥伴加入我們 。 WHAT IS THE RECIPE FOR SUCCESS IN FOSTERING RESILIENCE? Dementia Ventures aims to reach a broad range of stakeholders and provide community organizations with tools to engage effectively with people experiencing cognitive challenges. Let’s give them more opportunities! And how? Let the voices and experience of loved ones living with dementia inform the planning of meaningful activities that bring joy to everyone involved! You will find some amazing tools below to help you engage and make a difference. Powerful Words & Approaches Concise Rationales for Change Meaningful Engagement Top of Tools for Engagement Concise rationales POWERFUL WORDS & APPROACHES CONCISE RATIONALES FOR CHANGE Practice Tools & Factsheets (I-CAARE) A Quick Guide To: Approaches ; PIECES of My Relationships (Guidelines, Questions, Family Supplement); Medicine Wheel: Preventing Dementia in Indigenous People by Aging Well ; The Pathway of Dementia Person-centered Language Guidelines Alzheimer Society of Canada “By being more conscious of the language we use, we can avoid reducing individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias to a series of labels, symptoms or medical terms.” Dementia & Language Dementia Alliance International Organizational philosophy:”Nothing about us, without us.” Approach conversations with and about people living with dementia using respectful language that does not stigmatize and demean. Media should reflect DAI's Core Beliefs. Why Arts-based Activities? Westside Seniors Hub, Vancouver, BC Rationale for social engagement through the arts, credible evidence, and links to model programs that demonstrate how arts-based creative activities can have profound impacts on people at every stage of the dementia trajectory. Flipping Stigma on Its Ear Toolkit Taking Action Against Stigma and Discrimination Associated With Dementia University of British Columbia, CIHR Action Research Project “The purpose of this toolkit is to recognize and respond to this stigma and discrimination…designed by people with dementia to help others – including other people living with dementia, service providers, physicians, family members and friends – to address the challenges of stigma and discrimination.” Hear from the experts who live with dementia – what they experience, how they respond to stigma and discrimination as advocates for themselves and others, how they build skills and competence. Powerful tools from people living with dementia with more being developed for support persons and researchers. What is the Building Capacity Project all about? Westside Seniors Hub, Vancouver, BC Meaningful Engagement MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT Tipsheet for accessibility & equity in online engagement MJ Wosk Centre for Dialogue, SFU, Burnaby, BC “It is important to consider how community members’ identities and experiences may impact their ability to learn about, access or participate safely in an engagement—and tailor plans to suit diverse needs.” Beyond Inclusion: Equity in Public Engagement MJ Wosk Centre for Dialogue, SFU, Burnaby, BC “Hearing from people with diverse lived experiences leads to more innovative ideas, better decisions, greater public support of outcomes…This guide is designed for individuals sponsoring or planning public engagement initiatives that will inform decision-making...outlines some factors practitioners can reflect on when scoping and designing engagement processes.” Healthy Community Engagement Action Guide PlanH, BC Healthy Communities Featuring community examples, resources, strategies and other useful information, this guide helps local governments plan their community input process to ensure…equity-centred, inclusive community engagement…to create healthier, more accessible communities. Making Your Workplace Dementia Friendly Alzheimer Society of BC Specific resources for professionals who are in legal, financial, housing, and recreation professions … ”to understand and recognize the signs of dementia…communicate in an effective, respectful way…think about specific ways they can support a person with dementia in their work and how their workplace may become more dementia friendly.…know what resources are available to them and their customers or clients.” Busting Dementia Stigma: One Children's Book at a Time WA Dementia Action Collaborative “Are you a parent, teacher or librarian who wants to help build dementia awareness and challenge stigma? Children’s books can be a great tool! The criteria below can help you evaluate children’s books and select ones that carry a respectful, stigma-busting message.” Back to Resources - Dementia Ventures

Dementia Ventures is a commitment by the Westside Seniors Hub Partner Organizations to offer diverse activities for people living with dementia and their care partners designed to reduce stigma and sustain quality of life. Check out the projects. HUB PARTNERS' PROJECTS Dementia Ventures i s a commitment by the Westside Seniors Hub Partner Organizations to offer diverse activities for people living with dementia and their care partners. These activities are designed to: reduce stigma sustain quality of life The projects listed below are partially funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada via the Building Capacity for Meaningful Participation by People Living with Dementia umbrella project. Current Hub Partner project planning began in early 2020 and is evolving all the time! COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS 2019-2023 Hub Partners want to foster more inclusive communities . They engage a wide range of community members in plans and conversations to build and change programs so they are more inclusive of people living with dementia. Partners worked on projects to achieve those objectives, and for some, the projects are ongoing. Translink Awareness-Building Placards Thanks to an Implementation Fund grant from the Building Capacity for Meaningful Participation by People Living with Dementia project, the Hub’s Council placed 210 awareness-building placards inside TransLink buses in Metro Vancouver during the summer of 2022. The three different designs developed by Building Capacity project team members Samantha Pineda Sierra and Heather Neale Furneaux, quote Action Committee members with lived experience from a special initiative known as The Flipping Stigma Project . These members’ comments reflect on what it feels like to be discriminated against because of their dementia. The campaign aimed to increase awareness and encourage open and respectful conversations about living with dementia. Even if you don’t travel on public buses, you will want to take a look HERE at these engaging placards. Occasionally you will still see a placard on a Translink bus! Kitsilano Community Centre Association offers a variety of physical, social, and multicultural programming sponsored two Memory Cafés in October aimed at gathering programming needs and ideas from people experiencing dementia and care partners An insightful report summarized responses and diverse strategies for next steps in programming. steps forward West Point Grey United Church TLC (The Lunch Club) is a program for seniors as well as people with living with dementia in the west side of Vancouver. In 2022-2023, vveryone participated in a bilingual (English & Cantonese) f our-part series about dementia and in group discussions. Pacific Spirit United Church Congregation members at Pacific Spirit United Church created an insightful four-part series looking at dementia from a community perspective. It's called Beacon *shining light on Dementia" that is available online here . DISCOVERING COMMUNITY ASSETS 2019-2023 These projects focus on identifying community members and services that can help build capacity to offer meaningful opportunities and adapt existing services to be more inclusive. The Building Capacity Project - Dementia Ventures Offers engaging programs in order to help organizations make existing offerings more inclusive. Informs future policies and priorities in community and health settings for dementia inclusive communities. Westside Seniors Hub - Transportation Initiative Explored and facilitate van-sharing and public transit challenges and solutions for seniors living with dementia. Trnaslink placards featuring quotes from people living with dementia intended to raise awareness about stigma Westside Seniors Hub Developed a website to showcase Partners' projects and opportunities to get involved Invited diverse community members to become involved Collaborated with UBC Centre for Community Engaged Learning students involved as Community Action Mobilizers to conduct asset-mapping of Vancouver's westside neighbourhoods and promote community resilience planning for shocks & stressors ONGOING PROGRAMS 2020-2025 Hub Partners adapted existing programs to be more inclusive and planning new programs.They appreciated having community members participate at every stage - planning, implementing and sustaining - to build community capacity. A.S.K. Friendship Centre develops meaningful activities & designs inclusive spaces purchases art supplies to diversify programs Dunbar Residents Association identified assets & gaps in services for seniors adapted Salmonberry Days for inclusive programming organized Fireweed Club for outdoor activities in Balaclava Park, including development of a pollinator garden that invites participation throughout the gardening season. Kitsilano Neighbourhood House promotes dementia awareness with staff and required volunteer and staff trainings for anyone working with older adults developed a Dementia Buddies for one-on-one participation in meaningful activities South Granville Seniors Centre Offers two Happy Memories Cafés English -language Café brochure here Spanish -language Café brochure here

STAFF EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES CLEAR Climate, Lived Experience and Resilience Community Consultation Vancouver Coastal Health During an extreme heat event, the 2021 heat dome, VCH and non-governmental partners reached out to residents in VCH’s area with resources and supports. Now VCH is engaging vulnerable populations - people with disabilities or chronic conditions, older adults, people experiencing homelessness or marginally housed - in focus groups, one-on-one phone conversations or surveys . In order to plan for the future, VCH wants their input on how they managed heat and other climate-related events during 2021-2022 and how to plan for the future . Individuals can register to be contacted or complete a survey. Organizations can also submit on behalf of a group. More information and to register or complete the survey here PATHWAYS: BC COMMUNITY SERVICE DIRECTORY PathwaysBC “Publicly available services and programs, in participating communities.” The Directory is a joint initiative between Doctors of BC’s General Practitioner Services Committee and the BC government with a support team that provides the technical infrastructure. It is free, searchable by the public and has many filter options to narrow down keyword searches. Search here Organizations can apply to list their services in categories such as,.Navigation Support:Seniors Services ; Health & Fitness: Seniors ; Caregiver Support Groups; Seniors Centre:Seniors Activities; Loneliness/Social Isolation; Outings/Day Trips etc More information about access to Pathways here RESPECTFUL ENVIRONMENTS, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION UBC Faculty of Medicine “… create respectful, diverse, inclusive learning and work environments that are anti-racist and that support the exercise of human rights for all members of our community.” Monthly 12:00-1:30 webinars with presenters from various IBPOC communities aiming for “community partners to implement action plans that will lead to systemic and behavioural change.” Events , Blog, and Resources. Date: March 27, 2023 12:00-1:00pm virtual Register here MOBILIZING TO PROMOTE HEALTH & WELL-BEING FOR OLDER ADULTS CORE Healthy Aging Canada “Launching a series of monthly 90-minute webinars… to mobilize action on various issues by focusing on effective models and the policies, practices, partnerships, and networks that support them. Through interviews and discussions with practitioners, researchers, and policy-makers, each session will explore a topic and the key issues and challenges.” Q&A + opportunity to join a discussion group . Housing and Living Arrangement Options for Older Adults: At Home. In Community Recording here Re-orienting Health and Social Services for Older Adults: Provincial Strategies for Community-Based Seniors Services Webinar recording here Age-friendly Communities: A Key Strategy in Promoting the Well-Being of Older Adults Webinar Video here SENIORS OUTDOOR ACTIVATION TOOLKIT 8-80 Cities and Woodgreen Community Services, Toronto “… tells the story of over 100 seniors who saw the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to flip the standard for seniors programming in parks and public spaces .” Benefits, making the case, evaluation, recommendations. Report here INTERGEN-NS North Shore Community Resources Intergenerational Program Directory and Resource Hub that “helps connect different generations on the North Shore while providing resources to help community partners establish intergenerational programming … These projects have been launched in order to actively facilitate a North Shore community that is connected, inclusive, and age-friendly.” Information here CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING (CISP) Intersectoral collaboration project anchored by the Canadian Red Cross “CISP is a new national hub to link people and share practices that connect people to community-based supports and services that can help improve their health and well-being… part of a global movement of people bringing community capacity and healthcare services closer together by directly addressing the social determinants of health , from loneliness and social isolation to racism and ageism to income and housing and much more.” Newsletter, events, reports, resources, etc. Website here FLIPPING STIGMA ON ITS EAR TOOLKIT “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 and sign up for a newsletter here Aging Well Education - Ongoing Dementia Education & Opportunities ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS IN INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS: KNOWLEDGE, NEEDS, AND GAPS National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health “ This report summarizes what is known about the knowledge, needs, and gaps of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and healthcare practitioners working in Indigenous communities related to dementias…an overview of the barriers and facilitators of knowledge translation and exchange about dementia care and management.” Explore the August 2022 report here 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 RECENT ADDITIONS UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS AMONG OLDER CANADIANS AND HOW TO ADDRESS IT National Institute on Ageing “Social isolation and loneliness are increasingly recognized as important public health concerns. Globally, as well as in Canada, these issues have significant implications for the health and well-being of older persons .” This is one of many reports and other resources (news, National Seniors Strategy) of concern to seniors, some offered in many languages . Explore here BUILDING DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES ONLINE COURSE Alzheimer Societies of Canada “The Building dementia-friendly communities course…a self-paced 75 minute online, interactive course in four modules …is currently available in English and French…designed for professionals working in the recreation, library, retail, restaurant and public transportation sectors…knowledge and skills needed to increase support, inclusion and accessibility (both in the social and physical environments) for people living with dementia.” Information here Register here PROGRAM PLANNING FOR GRANT WRITING United Way of British Columbia “Effective grant seeking…involves strategic prospect research, detailed project planning, and articulating a compelling case, all while employing efficient tools, processes, and systems.” This online interactive session includes: • creating compelling project rationales/needs descriptions; • exploring planning methodologies, including Theory of Change and Logic Models; • incorporating measurable outcomes. Recording here Slides here ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS IN INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health “This report summarizes what is known about the knowledge, needs, and gaps of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and healthcare practitioners working in Indigenous communities related to dementias…It provides a review of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis understandings of dementias, their perceptions of healthy aging, and their preferences for care …an overview of the barriers and facilitators of knowledge translation and exchange about dementia care and management…” Explore the report here PROMISING MODELS OF SENIORS' TRANSPORTATION United Way British Columbia & SFU Cities, Health, and Active Transportation Research Lab “This report provides the findings from case studies…to profile promising models of seniors’ transportation and to learn what facilitates or impedes the success of these services. We used extensive selection criteria to select six services that covered a diverse set of models and geographic contexts.” Read the report here LIVING MY CULTURE Canadian Virtual Hospice “Quality palliative care helps you honour your culture, spirituality and traditions…people from various cultures share their stories and wisdom about living with serious illness, end of life and grief to support others.” Indigenous cultural safety training : Advanced illness, palliative care and grief and “Coming full circle: Planning for your care a booklet to ensure Indigenous Peoples’ choices for their future healthcare are known and respected.” Also videos and insights from representatives of eight global cultures. Information here HEALTHY AGING CORE CANADA United Way BC & Employment & Social Development Canada “Healthy Aging CORE (Collaborative Online Resources and Education) is a platform to c onnect local, regional, provincial and national non-profit, government, and academic organizations and coalitions that focus on programs, services, policies, practices, and research aimed at supporting older Canadians to age in place in their homes and communities….All content on CORE is vetted …CORE is designed to connect and coordinate with other relevant networks, and not duplicate.” Features: Resources…Training & Events…Groups & Activity….Programs & Initiatives…Funding Opportunities Join email list here AGING AND THRIVING IN THE 21ST CENTURY Institute for Community Prosperity, Mount Royal University, Calgary “…a scan of issues, trends, system dynamics and innovations…guided by the question: What factors are preventing older Canadians from flourishing, and how might we transform systems to maximize the choice, dignity, mobility, security, and trust accompanying an aging population transitioning into less autonomous living circumstances?" Report authored by James Stauch here FROME'S COMPASSION PROJECT UK Men’s Shed & Health Connections Mendip-UK “Compassionate communities help to reduce isolation and loneliness and bring a sense of belonging. Social relationships are the most effective intervention for improving health and longevity. Frome’s care combines a compassionate programme of community development with routine medical care…three key elements : making the most of the supportive networks of family, friends and neighbours…building networks of support for the routine matters of life…linking to community activity , such as choir, walking groups, men’s sheds, talking cafes and other interest groups where people can make friendships and share life’s events.” This event has passed. Health Connections Mendip website here Frome Shed website here ARCHIVED TRAINING WEBINARS Healthy Aging CORE Canada “CORE regularly hosts training events on relevant program and organizational development topics. These sessions are recorded and archived on CORE..and this compendium provides a listing of categories and links so that you can access them at your convenience.” Available here THE FUTURE OF AGING IN PLACE IN CANADA University Health Network Open Lab, Toronto " Through participatory design with seniors and inspiring demonstration projects, Vertical Aging pushes us to imagine and create possibilities beyond the current crop of institutional options . . these projects challenge conventional thinking about aging in contemporary urban society " Webinar recording here SOCIAL NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS CAN'T BE MET BY TECHNOLOGY ALONE CTV article; research by Dr. Yue Qian, UBC Sociology “…virtual interaction, like phone calls, video calls and texting during pandemic lockdowns were not helpful on their own as an alternative to face-to-face time for people over 60. ‘Our findings demonstrate that face-to-face household contact is crucial to sustaining older adults’ mental wellbeing,” Qian said.’” CTV article here Frontiers in Sociology Article here METRO VANCOUVER HOMESHARE Canada HomeShare “The goal of HomeShare is to foster intergenerational relationships , support aging in place for older adults while simultaneously addressing the affordable rental crisis faced by students…a facilitated model of shared housing to Metro Vancouver… for older adults who would like to share their home with a student for the coming school year …up to seven hours per week of assistance around the home and/or companionship… Canada HomeShare Social Workers create matches that meet both the needs of the home provider and student using a framework designed and developed by the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly.” Paused in 2022, but restarting in 2023. Sign up here for notification ENABLING CONNECTIONS - A TABLET LENDING LIBRARY South Granville Seniors Centre & Partners “The four elements of the Enabling Connections program are: a tablet lending library , digital literacy mentoring , a virtual senior’s centre , and knowledge sharing with other organizations . The Enabling Connections project is focused on creating connections between individuals and creating a sense of community and mutual support, peer to peer.” Information here CLOSING THE GAPS: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FOR OLDER ADULTS Canadian Red Cross; National Institute on Ageing “This is a recent report…that includes 29 Evidence-Informed Expert Recommendations to Improve Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery for Older Adults Across Canada…directed at Community-Based Services and Programs…Webinar features Dr. Samir Sinha, lead author of the report.” Report here FROME'S COMPASSION PROJECT UK Men’s Shed & Health Connections Mendip-UK “Compassionate communities help to reduce isolation and loneliness and bring a sense of belonging. Social relationships are the most effective intervention for improving health and longevity. Frome’s care combines a compassionate programme of community development with routine medical care…three key elements : making the most of the supportive networks of family, friends and neighbours…building networks of support for the routine matters of life…linking to community activity , such as choir, walking groups, men’s sheds, talking cafes and other interest groups where people can make friendships and share life’s events.” This event has passed. Health Connections Mendip website here Frome Shed website here COMMUNITY COUNSELLING 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.” Counselling services offered within BC’s Health Authorities here Aging well education material AGING WELL EDUCATION - ONGOING These are virtual educational resources for the seniors'-serving sector that can be joined or viewed on an ongoing basis. COVID-19 AND THE DIGITAL DIVIDE (Centre for Ageing Better, UK) Key findings from research involving i) > 250 seniors’-serving organizations about their service delivery efforts and ii) 50-70 year olds with incomes less than $42k about their use of the Internet and digital devices. Identifies and shares good practices for supporting digital inclusion and skill development during the pandemic and beyond. Describes how supports improved seniors’ knowledge and understanding of digital skills. July 2021 report here COMMUNITY DEMENTIA CARE AND SUPPORT (Healthcare Excellence Canada) Webinar series: "Innovations that are supporting people living with dementia and care partners, closer to home…what’s working and what isn’t…help innovators figure out how they can spread and scale their innovation so more people living with dementia, and care partners can benefit.” Past webinars and newsletter registration for upcoming related learning opportunities here AGING YOUR WAY: CREATING AN AGE-INCLUSIVE CANADA (CanAge; Toronto Public Library) A series of upcoming free webinars plus recordings & key learnings from other 2021 webinars. Information here GLUU TECHNOLOGY TUESDAYS (GLUU Society; Government of Canada) The Canadian nonprofit on a mission to help older adults use technology to stay happy, healthy & connected. We make digital skills stick…offer free digital skills training for all Canadian seniors about Apple and Android mobile devices. Information here Register for Technology Tuesdays here (Recordings available if registered) DIALOGUE ON AGING SERIES WEBINARS (Providence Health Care) Recordings of 2020-2021series of monthly presentations about self-care for positive mental health, mindfulness, brain health, sleep health, physical activity, technologies, socialization, creativity & living well with dementia, COVID-19 and dementia strategies and support, etc. Typically 2-hour presentation including discussion. Recordings here CAREGIVERS OUT LOUD: A PODCAST (Family Caregivers of BC) “A series of conversations with caregivers that highlight the joys, trials, and self-discoveries that come along with this rewarding and taxing position... have support and balance through the stories of inspiring caregivers.” Information here BRAIN WELLNESS PROGRAMS (UBC Brain Wellness Centre) Wide range of topics and their effects on brain health: music, nutrition, sleep, mood, improv theatre, practical tips, mindfulness, role as care partner etc. Information here Subscribe to newsletter here WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO AGE IN PLACE? (Hon. Joyce Murray, MP Quadra Brunch Connections) Guest speaker Ms. Isobel Mackenzie, BC’s Seniors’ Advocate, discusses “how to plan successfully to age in place, and how to help others – spouse, parent, family member, or friend – do the same… communities, business, the charitable sector, and various levels of government must collaborate to ensure today’s Canadians can age-in-place safely, as long as they wish...challenges and solutions. ” Recording here NO PLACE LIKE HOME(SHARE): INSIGHTS FROM AN INTERGENERATIONAL HOMESHARING PROGRAM IN TORONTO “Toronto HomeShare Pilot Project that matched 11 over-housed older adults 55+ (overhoused with respect to physical home space, social needs or supports with activities of daily living), with post-secondary student homeseekers who were experiencing difficulty securing safe and affordable housing… ‘facilitated’ by social workers and housing experts…now fully funded as a program by the City of Toronto…expanded to the City of Barrie.” Webinar recording here RAINBOW STEPS TO LGBT2SQ SENIORS “This webinar discusses aging in the LGBT2SQ communities and how service providers can deliver more inclusive and supportive programming…. practical ways to provide sensitive, competent and inclusive community programming and services for LGBT2SQ individuals.” Webinar recording here ADDRESSING STIGMA: AGING AND OLDER ADULTS (UWLM CORE Healthy Aging) 55min. An overview of stigma as outlined in the Public Health Agency of Canada's (2019 report) 'Stigma Action Framework for Building an Inclusive Health System' Recording here 2019 Summary video (Voices for Inclusion 4min) here HEALING IN PANDEMIC TIMES (Northern Health, Indigenous Health, NCCIH) An animated video reviews key terms such as stigmatization, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination in an easily understandable way (4:32 min). Related publications include Thinking About Cultural Safety; Practical tips: Engaging People During COVID-19 ; Cultural Safety: Respect & Dignity in Relationships; Cultural Safety: Poster Series. Video and information available here PROMISING APPROACHES REVISITED: EFFECTIVE ACTION ON LONELINESS IN LATER LIFE In the United Kingdom,“the Campaign to End Loneliness believes that nobody who wants company should be without it…We do this by creating spaces for collaboration and support to the sector and by…building evidence, convening and supporting the loneliness community , making the case for action, public campaigning, campaigning locally.” Information here FUNDRAISING TRENDS OF 2021 THAT MAY INFLUENCE YOUR STRATEGY AND PREPARE YOUR ORGANIZATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR (Charity Village) Webinar (Feb 2, 2021) and information here SENIORS' TRANSPORTATION WEBINAR (UWLM CORE Healthy Aging) Learn more about the new Provincial Working Group on Seniors Transportation, the seniors-centred approach it will bring to its work, and its plans for improving seniors’ mobility in BC over the next two years. (January 27, 2021 presentation) Recording and slides available here DEMENTIA EDUCATION & OPPORTUNITIES ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE July 2021 Features reports from Medscape Medical News about advances in understanding dementia: risk factors, tests, diagnosis, treatments, epidemiology, practice guidelines and more. Conference news here ENGAGING PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA IN DECISION-MAKING Canadian Centre for Elder Law “We are seeking participants for a series of virtual consultation events on strategies for including people living with dementia in decision making. The events will run from July 2021 to March 2022. We would like to hear from people living with dementia and other disabilities. We are also recruiting family members and friends for virtual consultation events on the perspectives of caregivers.” Project Status: Work in Progress Information here Poster - people living with dementia here Poster - caregivers here VIRTUAL SERVICES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA Adult Cognitive Wellness Centre Langley, BC Virtual services for people living with dementia (Adult Cognitive Wellness Centre, Langley, BC) Regular midday and afternoon sessions offered monthly by qualified facilitators: Caregiver Support, Yoga, Easy Practice of Qigong Movement, Experience-Centered Care with H.E.A.R.T. Methodology™, Mindfulness Base Stress Reduction. Pre-registration & information here BEACON *SHINING LIGHT ON DEMENTIA Pacific Spirit United Church, Vancouver, BC In 2021, members of the congregation participated in a four-part series of online conversations “to further our sense of inclusion and love by opening meaningful conversations about what it means to be a dementia-friendly community…in our care for one another, in our building’s accessibility, and in our programming.” Information here Four-part video series here DEMENTIA & SPIRITUALITY: PODCAST SERIES Dementia Dialogue, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON "This new four-part series explores the many dimensions of spirituality along the dementia journey, as well as how our cultural background influences and nurtures spiritual perspectives.Our hosts have held interviews with a range of guests including people living with dementia, academics and researchers, spiritual care providers and care partners.” Listen here HEALTH CARE DECISION-MAKING LEGAL RIGHTS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA 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.” Information here