After working with MAREP over the past seven years, it is with both sadness and excitement that announce I am embarking on a new journey as the Executive Director for the Alzheimer Society of Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge. As I sit to write this on my last day of work with MAREP, I cannot help but reflect on the amazing experiences I had, and partnerships I have developed.
I first became a Research Assistant in 2005 as a new PhD student at the University of Waterloo. One of my responsibilities was to attend A Changing Melody and interview forum participants, in order to understand the impact the forum had on them. At the same time, I started to become aware of the impact that this forum, and MAREP, was having on me. I began to see dementia and aging from a new perspective - one that associates dementia with empowerment, advocacy, and courage.
Throughout the years, I had the privilege of working on innovative research and education projects that enhance quality of life for persons with dementia and their care partners. One of my fondest memories was travelling across Ontario with an inter-disciplinary team of researchers and actors to research the impact of I’m Still Here, a research-based drama that changes actions and images of dementia.
In 2007, I served as Acting Associate Director of Research. During this time, I was welcomed into the homes of our partners to help create two By Us For Us guides: resources that help persons with dementia and their care partners better live with dementia. I worked with a team of persons with dementia, their families, and numerous organizations to host A Changing Melody. There, I witnessed persons with dementia becoming empowered to advocate for change in their communities. I also helped develop the Changing Melody toolkit, a resource used by communities to host local learning and sharing forums.
In 2010, upon completion of my PhD, I returned to MAREP as a Postdoctoral Fellow. In this role, I had the honour of working with the Partnerships in Dementia Care (PiDC) Alliance, and specifically, with folks from the South West CCAC, Saint Elizabeth, One Care, and the Alzheimer Society of Huron County. Together, we were learning about the process of transforming the current care culture into person-centred and relationship-centred care.
Throughout all of these experiences one thing remains consistent - here is a group of dedicated individuals working collectively to enhance the lives of persons with dementia and their care partners. I can say with certainty that through the development of authentic partnerships we can make positive change. While I am going to miss working with the amazing MAREP team, I know that we will have opportunities to work collaboratively to improve dementia care in our communities in my new role. And with such amazing people working together, I am truly optimistic that we will achieve our goals.
Jennifer Gillies, Executive Director, Alzheimer Society of Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge
Wednesday, 19 September 2012
Monday, 13 August 2012
Staying Safe - A New By Us For Us Guide - In development!
Safety is important for everyone but staying safe becomes even more important for a person living with dementia as the disease progresses. Changes in the brain and body, either due to dementia or other factors (e.g., aging or secondary illnesses or conditions) can really impact a person's safety and well-being.
MAREP is pleased to announce a new By Us For Us Guide in the Partnership Series (guides written by both persons living with dementia and partners in care) is in development! The By Us For Us© Guides are a series of guides created by a group of talented and passionate persons with dementia and/or partners in care. The guides are designed to equip persons with dementia and/or family partners in care with the necessary tools to enhance their well being and manage daily challenges. What makes these guides particularly useful is that they are created By persons with dementia and/or partners in care, For persons with dementia and/or partners in care.
If you are a person living with dementia or a family partner in care, please feel free to share with us any tips and strategies that you use to ensure that you or the person you are supporting are less at risk of injury and feeling safe. Contact us at loiselle@uwaterloo.ca.
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
People with dementia are not 'shadows' of their old self
MAREP has been advocating for years against harmful stereotypes that portray or describe persons with dementia as shadows of their old self. This article, written by a woman whose husband is living with dementia, speaks up about this issue:
http://blog.seattlepi.com/witnessingalzheimers/2012/03/09/he-was-never-a-shadow-to-me/
http://blog.seattlepi.com/witnessingalzheimers/2012/03/09/he-was-never-a-shadow-to-me/
Naomi Feil Validation Method
This video clip is amazing! Naomi Feil, the developer of the 'Validation' method, demonstrates the abilities and personhood of people with dementia, particularly persons labelled as 'non-verbal'. We can all learn a lot about how to interact with others from this emotional and inspirational clip.
Thursday, 26 July 2012
One Thing.
What's one thing you never want to forget? That's the question posed in this thoughtful video. Responses range from "my name" to first dates, and it's a lovely insight into the moments that matter most.
Take a look and pass it on.
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Making Time for Fun.
Sometimes, in the midst of our busy weeks, we all need to make time for a bit of fun.
This week, some of the MAREP team met after work for an evening of Go-Karting. What a great way to connect and build relationships with staff!
How do you unwind, on your own or as a team?
Here are some strategies for coping with caregiver stress and some tips for engaging in leisure with a loved one with ADRD.
Take care of yourselves!
Monday, 16 July 2012
PiDC Alliance Newsletter.
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