Dementia is an umbrella term that includes a number of different types of diseases that affect the brain, each with it own set of symptoms. Memory impairment is the hallmark feature of dementia, affecting social and occupational functioning, but it is not always the first sign of dementia. Sometimes difficulty with judgement, reasoning and insight may occur before signs of memory loss are noticed.
Dementia includes Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, Frontotemporal Disease (FTD), Mixed Dementias, and other forms of Dementia.
The Geriatric Certificate Program
Did you know DementiAbility Methods and Communication Tips and Tools for Dementia are two of the required courses to get your Geriatric Certificate from McMaster University? The Geriatric Certificate Program is a continuing education program through McMaster University that offers specialized courses in geriatric care. The required courses are based on scientific evidence, come with many testimonials from others in the field and consistently link knowledge to practice. The planning and development of the GCP has been reviewed and endorsed by the McMaster Continuing Health Sciences Education Office; each graduate earns a GCP certificate of completion.
Interested in learning more? Check out the Geriatric Certificate Website here!
Success Stories
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Richmond Lions Manor DementiAbility Journey 2020
Students help seniors turn dementia into ‘DementiAbility’
Imagine a world where those living with dementia can enjoy a life filled with meaning, purpose, joy, independence, choice and high self-esteem. That’s what NC students are striving to create as they learn to apply Montessori methods to help seniors with dementia. About 60 first-year Recreation Therapy students recently completed training in DementiAbility Methods: the Montessori Way (DMMW), as part of their Therapeutic Approaches for an Aging Population (TAAP) course this winter term… READ MORE
To learn more about FTD, visit When Dementia is in the House, a website designed to help families who have a loved one with FTD and/or download the PFD book:Frank and Tess Detectives! which is a children's activity book about Frontotemporal Degeneration.
Visit the Alzheimer's Society websites to learn more about the different types of dementia and there community resources available in your area. There are local chapters around the world. Canada: http://alzheimer.ca/en/Home
In the news - Alzheimer The Alzheimer Society funds research to find a cure and support quality of life for people living with dementia. Alzheimer Society Research Program
Alzheimer's Disease International Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) is the worldwide federation of Alzheimer associations, which support people with dementia and their families.
Workshop Testimonials
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“I’ve been working in the field of Gerontology and dementia for over 16 years. I have attended countless conferences and workshops. I attended your Montessori training on Monday and Tuesday of this week and while I thought it was helpful I had no idea just how helpful or how much I had retained until being back at work for the past few days. The content of your presentation but mostly importantly, your teaching methods are amazing. I am absolutely amazed at the amount of information I have retained just by you repeating and repeating the key messages! I am so excited to begin having the staff on my team (myself included) begin looking at behaviors related to dementia in a new and innovative way. You are changing the face of dementia care and since I can’t stop thinking about you or the workshop I wanted to take the opportunity to share my thoughts with you. Thank you so much for all that you do!!!”
(Chatham)
“Life changing – thousands of ideas & hope for the future!”
(Kingston, ON)
“This philosophy of care gives residents a reason to get up in the morning.”
(Scarborough, ON)
“This seminar made me think about Dementia in a different way – how even someone who is severely affected by Dementia can have quality in their life”
(Whitby, ON)
“I feel as though I have so much to bring back to Yellowknife, there is so much that can be done at our facility.”
(Cambridge)
“Amazing, there are no words to describe.”
(Toronto, ON)
“This workshop should be mandatory for everyone working in Dementia Care”
(Lindsay, ON)
“This workshop makes me feel quite emotional to realize where our dementia residence is lacking in providing residents with purpose. I feel motivated to start making changes.”
(Peterborough)
“On the Wednesday morning ater the workshop when I was working with my exercise group at work we were all close enough to be able to hold hands so at the end of group as asked if everyone would please join hands and I thanked all of them for being a part of my exercise group today and asked would you like to join me again on Friday and they all said they would come back. Here is the chilling/goose bump part…. one of the residents says “WOW is it ever nice to hold each others hands!” so THANK YOU again Gail!!”
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