First Link

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder First Link is for you. This direct referral program links the person with dementia and their family members/caregivers to coordinated learning, services and support from diagnosis and through the continuum of the disease. Contact the First Link Coordinator jenn@alzheimerhuron.on.ca for further information.

Gentle Persuasive Approach

Gentle Persuasive Approach is an educational program that our Public Education Coordinator is certified to offer to staff of Long Term Care Homes. This program provides staff with a person-centred, compassionate, and gentle persuasive approach, that allows them to respond respectfully, and with confidence and skill to responsive behaviours of a more escalated nature associated with dementia.

Resource Centre

The Society Resource Centre includes information about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias through books, videos, pamphlets and cassettes. Resources are available for persons with Alzheimer’s disease, families, professionals, and children to borrow at no cost. Visit the Resource section of this site for more details.

Seminars, Workshops and Training

The Society hosts annual workshops featuring a variety of presenters and topics. These workshops facilitate the learning needs of family and health care professionals in both community and long term care settings and the general public. Visit the Calendar section of this site for dates and times.

In-Service Education

Topics related to caring for clients with Alzheimer’s disease can be presented at in-services to Long Term Care Facilities and health care agencies. Training can be tailored to meet the needs of staff and/or volunteers working with persons with Alzheimer’s disease.

Case Based Education

Case Based Education provides Long Term Care Facilities with an opportunity to assess and create non pharmacological interventions based on individual resident needs. These sessions are based on the “CLIENT CENTERED CARE” approach incorporating “GPA”“Gentle Persuasive Approaches in dementia Care, Montessori principals and use the P.I.E.C.E.S and the U- FIRST models to . The Society offers ongoing support to implement all of these interventions.

Grade 4 Program

This program is offered to students in Grade 4 in order to provide them with a basic knowledge of the disease and how to communicate and visit with a person who has Alzheimer’s disease.

Advance Care Planning

Advance Care Planning Service Provider Training is offered to professional caregivers and policy makers working with persons affected by dementia. Each session is part of a series being sponsored across the province through the Ontario Strategy for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias by the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. Registration for each session is limited to 30 participants per session.

Educational Presentations:

The Alzheimer Society of Huron County will provide presentations at no cost to the sponsoring agency on the following topics:

• What is Alzheimer disease?
• Brain and Behaviour
• Challenging Behaviours
• Communication Strategies
• Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease
• The Progression of Alzheimer’s disease
• Advanced Care Planning
• Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care GPA (Professional 7.5 hour Workshop)
• Montessori for Dementia Programming ( Professional 4 sessions – 2.5 hours each a total of 10 hours
• Alzheimer Information Series (4 session comprehensive education program 8 hours)
  • Includes: - An Overview and Brain and Behaviour, Alzheimer’s disease and Environment,
  • Challenging Behaviours, Communication, Caregiver Stress, and Recreational Activities.
• Safely Home – Alzheimer Wandering Registry
• Brain Health – 8 steps to a Healthy Brain

To arrange one or more of the above or other presentations for your staff, clients and/or their family members simply call the Alzheimer Society office at 519-482-1482- or 1-800-561-5012.