Alzheimer Society of Toronto

The Alzheimer Society of Toronto is a charitable organization working to improve the personal and social effects of dementia within Toronto. The population of Toronto has more than 42,000 people who live with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia(as of 2013). People with dementia, their families and their caregivers can access support, information and education resources at the Society. The Alzheimer Society of Toronto is one of 70 separately incorporated Alzheimer Society of Canada offices across Canada. The Society's vision is a world without Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
The Alzheimer Society of Toronto also works to increase public awareness of dementia and to encourage person-centred services that respect a person's dignity.
The Alzheimer Society of Toronto’s annual revenue is about $2.3 million, which comes from individual and corporate donors. The Government of Ontario provides about eight per cent of the society’s revenue. Each year, Alzheimer Society of Toronto funds are spent on programming, fundraising and administration. In Fiscal 2012, 67 per cent of all spending was on programs, 28 per cent on fundraising, and 5 per cent on administration.
History
The Alzheimer Society of Toronto was founded in 1981, by a small group of family caregivers and physicians. It was established to help people with dementia and their families cope with the disease. Some of the founders include Marilyn McGuigan, whose mother had Alzheimer’s disease and Dan Andreae, the first Executive Director, a social worker whose father had Alzheimer’s disease. Marilyn and Dan continue to be associated with the Society as donors and leading members of its Patrons Council.
Programs and services
Family education and support
People with dementia and their families can access free, confidential counselling at the Society, to help them learn about dementia, prepare for the future and connect with a community support system. This can be done via telephone, at their own home or at Alzheimer Society of Toronto office. They can also attend support groups to share experiences with others and learn from people in similar situations.
Family caregivers can also attend education sessions so they can learn how to care for their family member at home and postpone having their family member enter a long-term care facility.
Families can receive information and referrals to help them in choosing treatment and care options. They can learn about information on treatment and medication, different types of dementia and the disease's progression. Families can receive advice on referalls to external organizations, such as adult day programs, support groups, respite care and placement. They can attend in-house workshops as well.
Dementia Care Training Program
The Alzheimer Society of Toronto offers personal support workers and other healthcare professionals a nine-hour training course, with UFirst! certification to help them understand the course of dementia and its impact on the person they are caring for. Healthcare professionals take the course to be able to provide better care. The program is meant for personal support workers, social workers, and other professions who are caring for people with dementia either who live at home or in residential care.
The Alzheimer Society of Toronto also hosts an annual PSW forum/continuing education day that focuses on specialized topics.
Public awareness
General members of the public can also use the Alzheimer Society of Toronto as a resource. They can attend information sessions, held in public spaces across the city, on various topics. These sessions help to increase awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and to reduce social stigma.
The public can also access the Society's online resources, including frequent webinars for various audiences like caregivers, healthcare professionals. There is also an e-learning Alzheimer's 101 course that is available to the public.
Resource Centre
The Alzheimer Society of Toronto offers a Resource Centre. The Resource Centre is open to the public of Toronto, as well as people across Ontario who cannot find local materials. It is one of the largest dementia-specific collections in Ontario. The Resource Centre has a full-time librarian who can assist people with finding information that suits their needs. Visitors at the Resource Centre can consult reference works, view videos and DVDs, borrow materials and obtain free information resources in various languages.
The public can also access the Resource Centre's online catalogue that provides detailed information on all the available materials and access to online dementia resources in 90 languages. The Alzheimer Society of Toronto has also created and currently maintains the Toronto Dementia Network website, an inventory of dementia services at organizations across Toronto.
iPod project
The Alzheimer Society of Toronto has launched an initiative called the iPod project. It is part of the Society’s Creative Arts Therapy programming. The project was inspired by a Music & Memory documentary screening, Alive Inside, and a presentation by Music & Memory’s Dan Cohen and film director Michael Rossato-Bennett.
Project participants can receive a free iPod from the Society. The Society will set up the iPod for free and load it with personalized music. The iPod project was created based on the idea that music has a positive effect on memory and emotion, therefore connecting individuals with music from their past will enhance their quality of life.
Events
Manulife Walk for Memories
For 24 years, the Alzheimer Society of Toronto has held a Walk for Memories event for people to have fun and help people and families facing Alzheimer’s disease. The event contributes to a significant portion of the Society’s funding. Event attendees include spouses, close relatives, caregivers, friends, as well as corporate teams. It is a tradition to bring photos and stories about loved ones to post on a Wall of Memories at the event.
Unforgettable Evening(gala)
The Unforgettable Evening event is an annual fundraising gala held by the Alzheimer Society of Toronto, in honour of Canadians who care for someone with dementia. There have been seven Unforgettable Evenings to date. This event always draws in many celebrity and public figure attendees, including Michael Ignatieff, Ben Mulroney, Louis Pitre and more.
Dine and Dance
The Dine and Dance event is a yearly tradition at the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. It is meant for people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The event provides a safe space for them, their families or their caregivers to enjoy themselves and meet people in similar situations.
Memory Ball
The Memory Ball is an annual gala event, organized by young women who live in Toronto, Canada. This event is one of the largest third-party events that supports the Society. There have been two Memory Balls to date. 100 per cent of all funds raised at the Memory Ball are donated to the Alzheimer Society of Toronto. Most of the co-founders have a connection to Alzheimer’s disease through a close family member, and use the event to increase awareness of the disease among a younger demographic.

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