Learning Center for Alzheimer's & Dementia

I was recently visiting a facility on a hot day. While I was there the staff came around with a box of popsicles for the residents. The staff member approached each resident, reached into the box and handed them a popsicle. What a nice relief from the heat, and the residents appreciated it.

We've written a lot about the value of music therapy as a means of helping people with Alzheimer's and dementia. Research shows that music can calm stress-induced agitation, change mood and facilitate cognitive function.

The long awaited Dementia Strategy has just been released by the Nova Scotia government. It is a multi-pronged approach, with three key priority areas

The Dementia Friends Canada program is a joint initiative between the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the federal government. It is part of an international movement to raise public awareness about dementia.

We were off to Newfoundland last week where I presented a talk entitled "Understanding and Creating Montessori Activities for People with Dementia" at th e Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association's annual conference.