Learning Opportunities

SCALE Program – (Supporting Caregiver Awareness, Learning and Empowerment) aims to empower you with the practical information and skills you need to enhance self-awareness and focus on your own mental health and well-being as a Caregiver. The program consists of:

a series of eight weekly webinars
online group coaching
one-on-one, individualized telephone counselling
Select just one topic that you are interested in each week or take the entire program – as a caregiver, we understand how valuable your time is and that is why we developed a program to best suit your schedule. Program starts on February 2nd, 2021.
Click here to view flyer

Online Support Groups – Discussion will be driven by caregivers and facilitation will be done by an OCO staff member on the following days: Tuesday between 10a.m. – 11 a.m. Wednesday between 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (currently full) Thursday between 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m (currently full). All discussions are completely confidential. Connect with other caregivers. Register today. If these times don’t fit your schedule or you’d like to find out about other supports and programs offered by OCO, contact us at info@ontariocaregiver.ca. To register for a group follow this link –OCO Online Support Group

Please check the BrainXChange for an update on their many Knowledge Exchange Events and Educational Opportunities.

brainXchange NEWS

https://brainxchange.ca/COVID- 19.aspx#7

COVID-19 Infection in Persons Living With Dementia, Presenter: Julie Robillard, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurology; Scientist, Patient Experience, The University of British Columbia, BC Children’s & Women’s Hospitals, Alzheimer Society of Canada, Canadian Consortium of Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA) and brainXchange
A recommended reading list: COVID-19: the evidence, St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph, Health Sciences Library and Alzheimer Society of Canada
Communication Tip Sheet for Redeployed Staff Working in Long-Term Care with Residents with Cognitive Impairment, Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto
COVID-19 Long Term Care Orientation for Redeployed Healthcare Workers, Webinar Recording, Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto
Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Support Individuals Living with Dementia Maintain Isolation Precautions, Behavioural Supports Ontario
Physical Distancing in Long-Term Care Homes: Providing Social Engagement and Inspiring Hope, Alzheimer Society of Peel and Mississauga Halton Behaviour Supports Ontario Program
Psychological First Aid for Frontline Health Care Providers Workbook – A Quick Guide to Wellness, Dr. Mélanie Joanisse, Clinical and Health Psychologist
Psychology works for COVID-19: Psychologists giving back to front line service providers, Canadian Psychological Association

Alzheimer’s Society of Thunder Bay (ASTB):

The Public Education Coordinators at the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay are offering virtual education via Zoom! They offer education for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, care partners, health care professionals, and the general public. We offer a presentation outlining an overview of dementia, and can tailor specific topics and time length to any organization or group.

Please contact the office at (807) 343-9556, or email Deanna Bessel: dbessel@alzheimerthunderbay.ca.

Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Programs (iCBT)

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact daily life for Canadians, mental well-being remains a strong focus. With the province slowly loosening restrictions and businesses starting to re-open, we’re seeing heightened anxiety around returning to work, fear of a second wave of the virus, and uncertainty about returning to normal social behaviours.

The Government of Ontario continues to support Ontario residents by offering a variety of free mental health resources that they can access online. This includes internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (iCBT) programs, such as AbilitiCBT, by Morneau Shepell, and Beacon Digital Therapy by MindBeacon.

Both iCBT programs, which offer guided support by professional therapists, can help people develop skills and strategies to address symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety and/or depression. The programs are also available in English and French.

To access these supports, go online to covid-19.ontario.ca. If you’re interested in learning more, please refer to the attached program materials.

Creating Cultures of Dignity During COVID-19 and Beyond

Creating Cultures of Dignity

In this blog post, Leslie Pedtke (a licensed nursing home administrator and owner of an assisted living and memory care community), reminds staff in long-term care of their strengths, and encourages all to remember how much they matter – not only during this time of a pandemic, but every day.

These days, it feels the whole nation is watching the long-term care communities with an array of emotions: judgment, compassion, sympathy and sometimes outrage. Living and working under the microscope can weigh heavily on the entire long-term care community. Stress levels begin to run high and relationships among care-partners can become strained. When the outside world makes us feel unworthy of honor and respect, we begin to pass that sentiment on to our teammates and our capacity to build strong relationships begins to diminish.

RGP: COVID-19 resources to support the care of older adults with frailty

Training for Teams Redeployed to Long Term Care1. COVID-19 LTC Orientation for Redeployed Healthcare Workers: Supporting Clients with Dementia and Responsive Behaviours (HTML) – This is the first of a series of webinars for healthcare workers being redeployed to Long Term Care homes (LTCH) to support the COVID-19 pandemic action plan. Speakers introduced healthcare workers to: Long Term Care, concepts and practice of behaviour support, dementia & related responsive behaviours and quick tips on best practices in supporting people living with dementia. *Recorded RGP Training*2. COVID Care E-Learning (HTML) – The Ontario COVID-19 Education Task Force, in partnership with the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care and the Baycrest Centre for Education, have developed an online training for providers being redeployed for COVID-19 care. Learners need an access code provided by their hospital, LTC facility, professional association, or other source. Email covideducation@uhn.ca for more information.