Programs and services

For more information about any of the programs and services we offer at the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton, please contact us by phone at 705-748-5131 / 1-800-561-2588 or email at info@alzheimerjourney.ca.

Click here for our Program Guide.

Click here for more information about our upcoming programs.

We are here to help

Our staff and volunteers provide support programs, educational resources, referral services and more, to ease the burden of care and improve the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, as well as their caregivers and families.

Experience has shown that the earlier people begin to learn and strategize about coping with dementia, the better they are prepared and able to provide support over time.

We hope you will find relief in knowing that you are not alone and do not have to pioneer your own path; when so many have been on this journey before and have shared their learning.

The Alzheimer Society provides ongoing information and support for clients in the following areas:

Understanding Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, including symptoms and progression
Strategies for living well after diagnosis
Healthy brain strategies
Increasing safety for persons with dementia
Reducing caregiver stress
Dementia education for children, youth and other family members
Navigation of the health care system
Understanding options for care and the transition to Long Term Care
Research and advocacy

Our services

Support and education for individuals and families, tailored to their unique situations
Individual support visits in your home or at one of our office locations
Support groups for caregivers
Support groups for persons living with dementia
Social and recreation programs
Education for a variety of audiences, including those directly affected by dementia, professional and non-professional care partners, and community groups

Continue to scroll down for more information about our programs and services.

Support programs

These programs offer support and improve quality of life for people living with dementia, families and caregivers.

Individual Support

Our Client Support Coordinators provide support and education to assist in the understanding of dementia symptoms, progression of the condition, planning for the future, and navigation of the health care and community support systems. This can be provided on an ongoing and individual basis, in your home, our office, by phone, or email.

Support Groups for Caregivers

Monthly support groups are available throughout our service area and provide the opportunity to connect with others in your community who are living with similar experiences.

Support Groups for People Living with Dementia

Monthly support groups for people in the early and moderate stages of dementia are also available. Members participate in brain stimulating activities and discussion about living with dementia.

For more information about these programs, contact the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton at 705-748-5131 / 1-800-561-2588 or by email at info@alzheimerjourney.ca.

Dementia education

Dementia education for people living with dementia, their families and caregivers

The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton provides many educational opportunities for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

The First Link® Learning Series is a set of programs that provide education about dementia management throughout all stages of the disease. There are 4 modules included in the series:

First Steps - This module will help people living with dementia and their care partners understand their diagnosis and the changes they experience.
Care Essentials - This module will offer family members and friends caring for people with dementia, problem solving strategies, approaches for communication and available avenues for support, all of which can strengthen their ability to provide care.
Options for Care - This module will help family members and friends caring for people with dementia evaluate their current care giving needs and explore other possible care options available, including long term care.
Care in the Later Stages - This module will help family members and friends of people with dementia understand what to expect in the later stages of dementia.

The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland and Haliburton also offers several dementia education workshops and seminars throughout our four county area on a variety of topics including:

Enhancing Communication & Understanding Responsive Behaviours - this presentation will help care partners, family and friends supporting persons with dementia to identify and understand changes in communication and behaviour that often result from brain changes. Participants will learn tips and strategies for enhancing communication and addressing responsive behaviours.
Care for the Caregiver: Recognizing & Reducing Caregiver Stress - Providing ongoing care for a person with dementia can be challenging. This presentation will help care partners to explore the impact of providing care and to identify the signs of caregiver stress when supporting a friend or family member. Participants will learn strategies for reducing caregiver stress, discuss self-care tips, and leave with resources to support them in their caregiving role.
The Long Goodbye: Understanding Ambiguous Loss & Grief in Dementia - Ambiguous loss is a type of loss you experience when a person with dementia is physically here, but may not be mentally or emotionally present in the same way as before. Ambiguous loss is very different from the loss and grief of sudden death. It complicates grief, often making it hard to recognize or know how to grieve when the abilities of the person with dementia have changed. Please join us to learn about steps you can take to live positively with your losses and grief while caring for someone with dementia.
Creating a Back-Up Plan for Care: A Workshop for Caregivers of People with Dementia - Caring for a person with dementia can be challenging. In addition to the day-to-day responsibilities, many caregivers struggle with the fear of what would happen if they unexpectedly became ill or unable to provide care. Although we can't predict the future, doing some planning in advance can help you feel prepared and lower your stress level. This workshop will provide you with ideas and tools to begin creating your back-up plan for care. Topics will include identifying your circle of support, safety planning, planning for future care needs, home and community-based care options, and residential care (retirement homes and long-term care).

For more information about these dementia education opportunities, please refer to our list of Upcoming Education Events.

For healthcare providers

The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton supports the ongoing learning and education of healthcare providers who are dedicated to helping people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Check out our section for healthcare providers.

More resources on dementia

Across Canada, the Alzheimer Society offers resources for people living with dementia, caregivers, families, healthcare providers and first responders.

For a full list of helpful resources, visit our online resource library.

Social and recreational programs

Programs may not be available in each area at all times. Please contact one of our offices to inquire about programming in your area.

Together Again Club

Join us virtually every day at 10:00 am or 2:00 p.m. to participate in Yoga, Minds in Motion^®, Book Club, Brain Activities and more!

Download our June Calendar (links to Zoom included)

Download our July Calendar (links to Zoom included)

Minds in Motion^®

This program combines physical activity along with mental and social stimulation for individuals with early to mid-stage memory loss and their care partners.

Learn more about Minds in Motion^®.

Friendly Visiting

Volunteer visiting program for people living with dementia to assist with maintaining social interaction and involvement in meaningful activities.

Walking Club

The Step Out Walking Club is a group for people living with dementia, who are paired with volunteers, and participate in weekly walking excursions; outdoors in fair weather and indoors during the winter.

Young Onset Day Service

Designed for people diagnosed with young onset dementia; this is a small group program that involves outings in the community, music and arts based activities, group meals, and volunteering in the community.

Self-management programs

Taking Control of Our Lives

An eight-week, self-management program for people living with early dementia and their care partners to help them adapt to changes and develop positive strategies for managing their condition.

Powerful Tools for Caregivers

One of the Central East Local Health Integration Network Self-Management Programs; our staff have been certified to provide this course to clients of the Alzheimer Society. This program is designed to help care partners take better care of themselves, through the use of tools and strategies that address the unique challenges of their caregiving situation.

Public awareness

The Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton provides many opportunities to learn more about dementia and the research to find a cure. Speakers are available to provide presentations for organizations and community groups of all types. Each presentation is tailored to meet your group's unique learning needs and interests.

Possible topics could include:

What is Dementia? (an overview of the various types of dementia, warning signs, and progression)
Heads Up for Healthier Brains (strategies for taking care of your brain health)
How Well Do You Know Dementia? (interactive session discussing myths, realities and current statistics)
Current research
Alzheimer Society Programs & Services

Learn more about our Public Awareness presentations

Safety in the community

When Alzheimer's disease and other dementias progress, the person living with the disease has the potential to go missing. This situation presents a serious safety concern, but help and support are available.

Finding Your Way^®

Finding Your Way® is a website dedicated to helping people living with dementia, their families, caregivers and communities recognize the risk of going missing, be prepared for incidents of going missing, and ensure that people with dementia can live safely in the community.

Learn more about Finding Your Way®.

MedicAlert^® Safely Home^®

MedicAlert® Safely Home® was created through a partnership between MedicAlert Foundation Canada and the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

MedicAlert® Safely Home® is a nationwide program designed to help identify a person living with dementia who has gone missing and ensure that they return to their family safe and sound.

Learn more about MedicAlert® Safely Home®.

How to access our services

First Link^® Program

The First Link^® program is your first step to living well with dementia. Whether you are living with dementia, or supporting someone who is, First Link connects you to health services, information and support in your community, from the time of diagnosis throughout the progression of the disease.

First Link® is about helping you and your family make informed choices so you can live better with dementia at every stage of the disease.

We accept referrals from health care providers, and other community service organizations; or you are welcome to call us yourself. When you give permission to your health care provider to make a referral to the Alzheimer Society, we will contact you directly to talk about your concerns; determine what Alzheimer Society programs would best support you; and link you to other local health services and resources that suit your situation.

Connecting with First Link® means you can:

Receive one-on-one or group support
Participate in our many educational workshops and seminars
Meet other people in similar circumstances and exchange experiences
Get help to plan your future
Be referred to local healthcare providers and community services

First Link^® is about bringing together Alzheimer Society staff, primary care physicians and other health professionals to make it easier for you to get the help you need.

Connecting you to information, support and services...

For self-referral, please contact the Alzheimer Society of Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland & Haliburton directly at 705-748-5131 / 1-800-561-2588 or by email at info@alzheimerjourney.ca.

Access our First Link referral form here.