University of Waterloo's youngest financial donor continues to support MAREP

In 2008, Boaz Van Veen was four years old. His parents told him about the efforts of the Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP), and he knew immediately that he would give his savings–$170–to support the project founded by his much-loved and admired family friend, "Grampa Ken."

Garage sale

Now, at the age of 8 years old, Boaz knows that the money he earns in various ways–through garage sales, birthday gifts, even contributions from the tooth fairy–can be used for something special, something much bigger than himself.

“Boaz understands that he is fortunate to have so much and that sharing with others is important. He has learned that there is a time for giving and a time for receiving,” 

says Boaz’s mother, Gael Van Veen.  

In the Fall of this year, Boaz raised $295 and donated all of his savings to MAREP again during a special lunch with University of Waterloo President, Feridun Hamdullahpur (October, 2012).

 

Waterloo President, Feridun Hamdullahpur, and Boaz

Boaz, the University of Waterloo’s youngest donor, presented his second gift to MAREP during a special lunch with University of Waterloo President, Feridun Hamdullahpur in October 2012.

Attending the special lunch was also Boaz’s parents (Gael and David Van Veen), MAREP’s founder Ken Murray and his wife Marilyn, and Associate Director of Research, MAREP–Lisa Loiselle.

Ken Murray, Boaz, and Lisa Loiselle

Gather at the Gallery Exhibit on now

MAREP's Lisa Meschino is featured in an article in the Kitchener Record about the Alzheimer Society's Gather at the Gallery program and exhibit. 

Gather at the Gallery, a 10 week collaborative program run with local art galleries, museums and studios, provides an opportunity for persons with dementia and their care partners to "learn and talk about art, and experiment with different media, including pottery, glass, fusion, paining, collage and drawing" (para. 4).

The Waterloo Community Arts Centre/Button Factory on Regina Street South in Waterloo is featuring a special exhibition of the participants' art until May 31st.

Lisa Meschino is working with the Alzheimer Society of KW to research the impacts of this program. For more information on Lisa's work, click here for an article posted in MAREP's newsletter.

WW Dementia Network Education Day

There is still space available for you to register for the Education Day hosted by the Waterloo Wellington Dementia Network where Dr. Sherry Dupuis, Director of MAREP, is presenting.

Topic 1: Rethinking the Language of Dementia (What we say and how we say it matters)
Dr. Sherry Dupuis PhD., MAREP Director, University of Waterloo discusses how words shape our thinking and impact the care we provide.

Topic 2: Compassion Fatigue (Finding your balance)
Sandra Parkinson and Laura McShane, Community Educators from The Canadian Mental Health Association, discuss how we in caring professions often struggle with how to refuel our emotional wellness while giving of ourselves daily.

Location: St. George’s Hall in Waterloo, 665 King St. North, Waterloo
Date: Friday, June22nd
Time: 8:30 – 3:30 (registration at 8:00)
Cost: $50.00 (includes refreshments, lunch, compassion Fatigue Workbook and Handouts)
Register:online at www.alzheimerkw.com or Call 519-742-1422

Join the Fireside Chat!

On June 19th from 12-1pm, we will be leading a fireside chat (i.e. a web-based seminar put on by the Alzheimer Knowledge Exchange) about the PiDC Alliance. The PiDC Alliance is a collaborative research network and research initiative focused on improving the dementia care experience for persons with dementia, family members, and staff in long-term care and community-based care. The session will highlight key findings from the project and offer tools and resources to those seeking to embark on their own culture change initiative. To join the session, follow the directions below. For more information on the PiDC Alliance, visit the website at www.pidc.uwaterloo.ca

Login information for live event

1. From your telephone: dial the teleconference line: 1-855-450-7670 enter pass code: 2371438

2. To log in to the web conference, go to: http://ake.adobeconnect.com/join
3. In the Adobe Connect login screen, use the first login option to login as a GUEST:

• Enter the session by selecting the 'Guest' option
• Enter your First and Last Name
• Click 'Enter Room'- you should be in!

Note:

• Log in at least 10 minutes before the session.
• If the link does not work directly from this document, please copy and paste it into your web browser address bar
• If your computer SPEAKERS are on please turn it OFF or MUTE the volume to prevent feedback

Mayor’s Age Friendly Forum

The City of Waterloo has been named a member of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Network of Age-friendly Cities for its commitment to assessing and improving its age-friendliness. Join us on June 14th, 8:30-12:00 at the Sunshine Centre in Luther Village where the City of Waterloo will be sharing information about this designation. An agenda with a timeline for the day will be posted soon.

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.

Long Term Care Task Force

I recently learned about the Long Term Care Task Force from a tweet by @AlzheimerPeel

According to the site:

The Task Force was established in response to media reports of incidents of abuse and neglect in long-term care homes and underreporting of these incidents. It is independent of government and has broad representation from across the sector, including family and resident councils, nurses, physicians, unions, personal support workers, long-term care provider associations and advocates.

Share your story about your experiences in long term care. Your thoughts and feedback can make a difference for yourself and others!

Walk for Memories

I had a wonderful experience at the Walk for Memories yesterday afternoon!

The Kitchener-Waterloo walk had a great turnout and raised almost $70,000 - enough to support the Alzheimer Society's programs for a full year.
 
It was such a lovely day - lots of families and smiling faces all around. I can't wait to do it again next year!

Here are a couple of photos from the day (Garth is my friend Robbie's dad, we walked in his honour).

Alzheimer Awareness Month

January is Alzheimer Awareness month.

How will you recognize it with your loved ones or organization?

Many people (like me) will be participating in the Walk for Memories. If you are interested in participating, don't forget to register soon!

This will be my first Walk for Memories and I'll be walking with a team. My friend Robbie's dad was recently diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's, and his family and friends have created a team in his honour. 

I was looking online at footage from walks and I found this video of a dance mob at a Walk to End Alzheimer's in Seattle (things get really jazzy around the 2:30 min mark). I love the fun and joy that the mob brought to the event.

Speaking of the Alzheimer Society, they've recently launched a new campaign called Let's Face It. the campaign is in response to recent survey which indicates that almost half of respondants lived with symptoms of dementia for over a year because they didn't know the facts.

I think the campaign video is simple and effective.

January is a great time to figure out how you can Get Involved with your local Alzheimer Society or other organizations!