Cambridge AFC Launch and Learn

Jessica Luh, MAREP’s Associate Director of Research, participated in Cambridge's age friendly community launch and learn hosted by the Social Planning Council of Cambridge and North Dumfries. Dr. Heckman and Mr. Liu from Yee Hong were guest speakers along with a representative from Abbeyfield Home.

Jessica was particularly interested to hear Dr. Heckman's perspective as to what he thought were some of the challenges of an integrated health care system in our LHIN. He emphasized the success of Linda Lee's memory care clinic model and the importance of education and support services for persons with dementia and their partners in care. Mr. Liu talked about Yee Hong’s model of care as well as their mission, philosophy and the services they offer. It was clear from the presentation that Yee Hong is really striving to move from traditional models of care towards the social model of living.

Yee Hong has created a DVD called "Breaking the myths about dementia" and offers numerous programs and services that support persons living in their homes and in the community. Jessica found Abbeyfield's housing model to be very interesting. Jessica will apply this knowledge to her work with the Dementia and Design committee.

Public Lecture with Dr. Stephen Post

Jessica Luh, MAREP's Associate Director of Research, listened to and met Dr. Stephen Post last night at a free public lecture put on by the Alzheimer Society of Hamilton and Halton in partnership with the Cilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging, McMaster University. The theme of his lecture was 'hope and continuing self identity: finding meaning in the care of those with memory loss'.

Dr. Stephen Post is a professor of preventive medicine at Stony Brook University and the author of two bestselling books, "the Moral Challenge of Alzheimer Disease" and "The Hidden Gifts of Helping".

Dr. Post's perspective is very much aligned with MAREP's as he openly discussed the importance of "accepting, affirming, connecting, and respecting" and how a person's personhood is still ever present even in the later stages of the illness.

Volunteer Appreciation Week - Continued.

As you know, this week is Volunteer Appreciation Week!
 
Here is our second feature interview, designed to shine the spotlight on our amazing student volunteer team (to read the first interview, click here).

Today, I'd like to introduce Nicole:

Program/Year: Going into my 3rd year of a Therapeutic Recreation/Recreation and Business double major.

Favourite class: Rec 220 - Program Management and Evaluation

Hobbies/Interests: Volleyball and tennis

Future plans: After I complete my undergraduate degree I would like to work as a recreational therapist in a hospital.  

I volunteer because…I like using my free time to help out wherever I can!

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Thanks, Nicole! We are glad to have you on board. Good luck with your summer position at Allendale Nursing Home. We look forward to seeing you in the fall.

Volunteer Appreciation Week.

This week is Volunteer Appreciation Week!

In honour of the hardworking volunteers here at MAREP, we will be running 2 feature interviews this week, shining the spotlight on our amazing student volunteer team!

Today, I'd like to introduce Brianne:

Program/Year: Honours Health Studies, 4B

Favourite class: This term I really enjoyed GERON 400, a Multidisciplinary Seminar on Aging.

Hobbies/Interests: I love cooking and try to make at least one new recipe each week. I love keeping active by jogging (I aim to be able to run 10km by the end of the summer) as well as by playing sports including hockey, ringette, volleyball, beach volleyball and soccer. This summer I look forward to doing a lot of reading.

Future plans: I will be starting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Toronto in September. My long-term goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner.

I volunteer because…I love giving back to my community. More specifically, I find the work that MAREP does as an organization is very valuable for anyone who is somehow linked to a person with dementia. The numerous courses I have taken about aging have sparked my strong interest in dementia and dementia care. And with the increasing prevalence of dementias in our population, the importance of support such as that provided my MAREP cannot be overestimated.

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Thanks, Brianne! We so appreciate your contribution to MAREP this year. We are wishing you all the best in Nursing this fall.

Happy Weekend!

It might be Friday the 13th, but with all of the sunshine out there, it feels like our lucky day!

Enjoy this collection of great reads from around the web as you wind down this weekend:

The Rubin Museum of Art in Manhattan provides an opportunity for people with dementia and their partners in care to reconnect through art. (This reminds me of Gather at the Gallery, a program that our Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Lisa Meschino, is involved with).

What an interesting and creative campaign for Alzheimer's awareness. What do you think?

In Canada, dementia will directly affect 1.1 million people in less than 25 years. The rising economic cost of the disease will increase tenfold to a staggering $153 billion per year. Why doesn't Canada have a national dementia plan? The Alzheimer Society is encouraging you to add your voice to the discussion here.

A lovely video that reminds us of the powerful impact that music can have on quality of life (you can also read about it here).

(Images from top: New York Times; Alzheimer Society of Canada; The Stir)