Dementia Education Program Newsletter
We invite you to view recordings of past episodes at your convenience. These webcasts are also available as audio podcasts on and , among others.
Upcoming Webcast
Strategies to minimize financial stress of aging parents听
Sarah Widmeyer听is Senior Vice-President, Wealth Strategies and Chief Marketing Officer at Richardson Wealth Limited.听听 Ms. Widmeyer currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer鈥檚 Society of Toronto and has served for 8 years as a Director of the Women鈥檚 Brain Health Initiative, a charitable organization focused on funding research and creating education programs to combat brain-aging diseases that primarily affect women.听听
She will discuss some financial planning best practices and offer simple tips to minimize financial stresses felt among family members caring for aging parents.听
This free webcast is in English.听
听补迟 12 pm EST on January 8, 2025, when the link will become public and available.
Past Webcasts
How caring for a loved one with young onset dementia inspired the creation of Lorenzo鈥檚 House听
Don鈥檛 miss this powerful interview with fellow caregiver crusader Diana Cose who experienced firsthand the massive gap in the memory care space for young patients after her husband was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer鈥檚 disease.听 She founded Lorenzo鈥檚 House to make meaning from the isolating diagnosis in her family by creating a place that builds community, delivers on innovation and brings light.听听
Claire Webster and Diana Cose will also be joined by Jessica Eggert, the former caregiver of her mother who was diagnosed with young onset dementia in 2014 and a former full-time high-school math and social-emotional learning teacher.听 As a young caregiver, she found Lorenzo鈥檚 House to be a place of healing in community, and now she is involved in running the youth programming to honour her mother.听
Based in Chicago, Lorenzo鈥檚 House is a non-profit social impact organization designed to empower youth and families living with young onset dementia that serves people across North America thanks to many virtual programs. Diana Cose and Jessica Eggert will share their journeys as care partners to young onset patients and discuss the ongoing role of Lorenzo鈥檚 House in their healing.听听
This free webcast is in English.听
December 4, 2024
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Building cognitive reserve for healthy aging听
Emerging research is showing that we can take steps to prevent and slow cognitive decline by strengthening our cognitive reserve.听
Sylvie Belleville, Phd, is the Canada Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience of Aging and Brain Plasticity, a full professor in the Department of Psychology at Universit茅 de Montr茅al and a researcher at the Centre de recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de G茅riatrie de Montr茅al (CRIUGM). She has received many prizes in recognition of her work including the Adrien Pinard Prize of the Quebec Psychology Research Society, Professional Prize of the Quebec Psychologist Association, ACFAS L茅o-Pariseau prize, honoris causa doctorate from Mons University and is a member of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.听
Sylvie Belleville is known for her work on cognitive training in the elderly and the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia. She has identified compensatory processes and brain plasticity in aging. She has also developed a major research program in neuropsychology of aging and dementia and has contributed to a better understanding of neuropsychological deficits in people with early signs of Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment.听
This free webcast is in FRENCH.
October 6, 2024
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Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest听
Hope for the Best, Plan for the Rest is a road map for navigating a life-changing diagnosis. The book鈥檚 authors, Dr. Hsien Seow and Dr. Sammy Winemaker, have identified seven keys to unlock a better illness experience.听 They will discuss those keys and how they apply to a diagnosis of dementia.听
Hsien Seow, MD, is the Canada Research Chair in Palliative Care and Health System Innovation and a Professor in the Department of Oncology at McMaster University. He publishes healthcare and policy research focused on improving care for patients with serious illness.听
Sammy Winemaker, MD, is an Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, in the Division of Palliative Care at McMaster University. She teaches palliative care to health care professionals.听
This free webcast is in English.
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Modifiable risk factors for developing Alzheimer鈥檚 and related dementias听
In July, the launched its 2024 report on dementia prevention, intervention, and care. Dr. Gauthier will explain the new findings on modifiable risk factors for dementia, and how addressing them can prevent or delay disease progression.
Serge Gauthier, MD, is a clinical neurologist specializing in the development of new tools for diagnosis and treatments for people living with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. He is the Academic Co-Lead for the Dementia Education Program and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery and the Department of Psychiatry at 平特五不中. Dr. Gauthier was the Director of the 平特五不中 Research Centre for Studies in Aging from 1986 to 1997. His accomplishments led to him being appointed to the Order of Canada in 2014 and the National Order of Qu茅bec in 2017.听
This webcast is available in both English and French.听
September 18, 2024
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What is needed to make decisions on behalf of another person?听
H茅l猫ne Guay is a 平特五不中-educated lawyer who works closely with seniors and their care partners to demystify and facilitate legal processes. She has been practicing health law, human rights law, and elder law for over 30 years.听
Mtre. Guay will provide clarity on the assessments and legal documentation required to make decisions on behalf of a person who is no longer able to make important decisions for themself.听
This webcast is presented in French.
July 10, 2024
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A heart-to-heart with the Mayor of Westmount on her caregiving journey听
Christina Smith has been involved in municipal politics with the City of Westmount for over ten years. She was first elected as City Councillor in 2013, then as Mayor in 2017.听
Mayor Smith will share her experience as a caregiver to her late father who recently passed away from Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. She will talk about the impact this disease has had on her and her family, and discuss both the challenges and positive encounters she faced with the healthcare system.听
平特五不中 Cares is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.
June 26, 2024
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Applying the Positive Intelligence Approach to Caregiving听
Joanne Besner, BSW, MBA, ACC, and caregiver, received her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Business Administration from 平特五不中, and a Professional Coaching designation from the John Molson Executive Centre at Concordia University. Ms. Besner coaches and facilitates workshops for health care professionals and community organizations, including the 平特五不中 School of Social Work, where she is also an internship liaison supervisor. Her 35-year career in Quebec community health care spans many roles including frontline social work, clinical supervisor, manager, researcher and trainer.听
Ms. Besner will explain how negative emotions can interfere with our ability to manage difficult situations and offer tools to help us respond constructively to challenging situations.听
平特五不中 Cares听is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.
June 12, 2024
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The Caregiver Grief Connexion Project听听
Pam Orzeck, MSW, PhD, is Associate Professor in the 平特五不中 School of Social Work and part of the coordination team at the Caregiver Grief Connexion project. Her latest research focuses on women's bereavement experiences after caregiving. She has published several articles and co-edited a book on professional interventions with caregivers.听听
Zelda Freitas, BA, BSW, MSW, is Adjunct Professor at the 平特五不中 School of Social Work and part of the coordination team of the Caregiver Grief Connexion project. Ms Freitas鈥� expertise involves caregivers and caregiving, psychosocial practice, including palliative care and end-of-life care, countering adult mistreatment and older adults.听听
鈥疢s. Orzeck and Ms. Freitas will speak about the听 project, a new initiative that offers free and accessible educational resources on caregiver grief and bereavement for health and social service professionals and care providers. They will discuss their motivations for founding the project and what they hope it will achieve.听
平特五不中 Cares听is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.
May 15, 2024
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Understanding the legal, psychosocial and medical assessments required to make decisions on behalf of another person听
Stephanie Geller, MSW, is the Team Lead, Clinical Social Worker, at Lianas Senior Transition Support.听 She has been working with seniors for the last 25 years, helping them and their families with caregiving issues, including navigating social services, work-life balance issues, stress, anxiety, burnout and coping through major life decisions.听
Anna Kamateros, Notary, TEP, is Department Head, Wills Estates and Planning at KRB Lawyers.听 Me Kamateros provides estate and later-life planning services that optimize wealth transfer and reduce estate conflicts.听 Her work with respect to estate planning, including the preparation of final wills and testaments and protection mandates, includes advising liquidators on their duties administering the estate.听 She is also a researcher for the Chaire de recherche Antoine-Turmel sur la protection juridique des a卯n茅s and a consultant on the multisectoral team to help counter the mistreatment of older adults. She is part of the expert committee for the Quebec Chamber of Notaries on the implementation of the law to better protect vulnerable persons.听
This goal of this webcast is to provide clarity on the assessments and legal documentation required to make decisions on behalf of a person who is no longer able to make important decisions for themselves.听
平特五不中 Cares听is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.
April 10, 2024
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Talking to children about dementia and death听
Andrea Warnick, RN, MA, is a Registered Psychotherapist and Registered Nurse who supports individuals, families and communities who are grieving illness or death in their lives. She co-owns AWC Grief Support, a group practice of over 30 therapists who provide grief therapy across Ontario and grief consultation and education across Canada.听 Ms. Warnick developed the five-day Children's grief and bereavement certificate program at SickKids Centre for Community Mental Health Learning Institute. She also hosts Kids Grief Q&A, a free monthly webinar offered by Canadian Virtual Hospice, where she responds to questions from families and professionals from across the country about supporting grieving children and youth.听听
Ms. Warnick will answer questions about how to speak to children about grave illnesses and how to recognize and address grieving in children.听
This English webcast is free and open to the public.
平特五不中 Cares is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.
March 6, 2024
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Caregiver support in Quebec - L鈥橝ppui pour les proches aidants听
Julie Bickerstaff, MSW, is Director of Caregiver Support & Knowledge Transfer at听, a caregiver support organization. Over the past 20 years of working in the health and social services network, public health, territorial organization and community sectors, she has developed a rich and varied expertise in consultation and mobilization, social development and program management.听听
Ms. Bickerstaff will speak about the services offered by l鈥橝ppui pour les proches aidants that are available throughout the province of Quebec in English and French.听
This English webcast is free and open to the public.
平特五不中 Cares听is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.听
February 7, 2024.
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Strategies to improve participation in activities for people living with dementia鈥�
Marie-Eve Bolduc, PhD, is Assistant Professor (professional) at the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at 平特五不中. Her research interests are directed toward brain-based disabilities, pediatric outcome research and simulation education. Using her experience as an occupational therapist, curriculum lead and simulation educator, she has been involved in developing material for the 平特五不中 Dementia Education Program since 2019.听听
During the pandemic, Prof. Bolduc supervised the creation of a Dementia Activity Booklet for caregivers of people living with dementia by four of her students. The booklet has been very popular and so, with her guidance, and funding from the Petro-Canada Caremakers Foundation, we have brought some of those activities to life in videos.听
Prof. Bolduc will explain why continuing to participate in leisure activities and activities of daily living is important for people living with dementia and will share ideas for adapting activities to a person鈥檚 abilities. She will show some of the new dementia activity videos which we will be launching on our website.听
This webcast is available in English and French.听听
平特五不中 Cares听is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.
January 24, 2024
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Medical aid in dying (MAiD) in the context of dementia听
Jocelyn Downie听is a Professor Emerita in the Faculties of Law and Medicine at Dalhousie University with a particular interest in end-of-life care.听 She served as Special Advisor to the Canadian Senate Committee on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide and was involved in several national and provincial expert panels that address end-of-life decision-making and physician-assisted dying.听听
Professor Downie is the author of听Dying Justice: A Case for the Decriminalizing Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in Canada, which was awarded the Abbyann D. Lynch Medal in Bioethics from the Royal Society of Canada. She was named a Fellow of both the Royal Society of Canada and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and made a member of the Order of Canada in recognition of her work advocating for high quality, end-of-life care.听听听
Professor Downie will discuss whether, and how, people living with dementia can request Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD).听
This English webcast is free and open to the public.
平特五不中 Cares听is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.听
December 13, 2023
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Hygiene and dementia听
Lucy Barylak, MSW, is a social gerontology consultant for the CIUSSS-West-Central Montreal and a graduate of the 平特五不中 School of Social Work, where she is also a liaison supervisor. Ms. Barylak has developed evidence-based training for seniors and caregivers, and she lectures in the field of social gerontology and knowledge transfer.听 She facilitates 鈥淒ear Lucy,鈥� an online show about caregiving funded by the WellMed Foundation in the U.S.听 She founded and, for many years, managed the Caregiver Support Centre at the CLSC Rene-Cassin, a multi-service respite centre for family and informal caregivers. Ms. Barylak received the Queen鈥檚 Jubilee Award for her role in developing a national coalition to support caregivers across Canada.听
Ms. Barylak will discuss why people living with dementia might refuse personal daily care and provide some tips for what caregivers can do when faced with those situations.听
This English webcast is free and open to the public.
平特五不中 Cares听is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.听
November 29, 2023
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平特五不中 Cares: Join us as we celebrate the 100th episode
平特五不中 Cares听was launched by the Dementia Education Program during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, on May 13, 2020, while many of us were isolating at home. Claire Webster, Founder of the Program, had the idea to record short interviews with different experts on topics of interest to care partners of people living with neurocognitive disorders to help educate and support them during this difficult time.听
On听November 15, 2023, at 12 p.m. EST, we will air the 100th episode of听平特五不中 Cares听and invite you to join us for this live recording! Dr. Jos茅 Morais, Dr. Serge Gauthier, Dr. Pedro Rosa-Neto and Claire Webster will look at highlights from the past three years and answer your questions.听听
If you are not able to join us for this live webcast, rest assured that it will be recorded and posted on our website to view at your convenience, like all past episodes of听平特五不中 Cares. Note that this webcast will take place in English.
平特五不中 Cares听is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care. We have had over 70,000 views of our free online webcasts to date! Thank you for being an important part of our success.
November 15, 2023
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Coping with Ambiguous Loss in Caregiving鈥�
Corrie Sirota听is a clinical social worker and sessional lecturer at the 平特五不中 School of Social Work who specializes in loss, bereavement. Corrie is also a TEDx speaker, the Clinical Director at Myra's Kids Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports bereaved children and their families and the author of听Someone Died...Now What? A Personal and Professional Perspective on Coping with Loss and Grief.听听听
Ms. Sirota will speak about the types of loss triggered by a diagnosis of dementia, the varied emotions that accompany it and ways to cope with anticipatory grief.鈥�
This English webcast is free and open to the public.
平特五不中 Cares听is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.听
November 1, 2023
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Planning for a Transition of Care听
Mr. Matt Del Vecchio is a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging (CPCA).听 He is the owner of Lianas Senior Transition Support, which provides families with guidance and support in navigating home care and senior living communities.听 Mr. Del Vecchio is also co-host of a popular weekly radio show, 鈥淟ife Unrehearsed鈥� on CJAD800 in Montreal and writes for The Suburban newspaper as their "Seniors and Aging" columnist.听听听
There will come a point in time when one needs to consider a transition from home into a senior-living community.听 These decisions can be filled with emotion, guilt and anxiety. What can be done to avoid crisis mode?听 Mr. Del Vecchio will discuss the steps that can be taken to allow for a smooth and less stressful transition.听听
This English webcast is free and open to the public.
平特五不中 Cares is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.
October 18, 2023
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Let鈥檚 Talk About Walking听
Nancy Mayo, PhD,听is a Distinguished James 平特五不中 Professor in the Department of Medicine and the School of Physical and Occupational Therapy at 平特五不中.听 She is a Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE) at the Research Institute of the 平特五不中 Health Centre, where she leads a research program on Function, Disability and Quality of Life for vulnerable populations.听 She is Co-Founder and CEO of PhysioBiometrics Inc., a 平特五不中 spin-off company dedicated to developing accessible wearable technologies targeting vulnerable populations so people can move better to move more.听
Prof. Mayo will discuss best practices for walking in order to avoid falls as we age and explain how wearable technology can help improve gait and movement.听
October 4, 2023
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Update on New Medications to Treat Alzheimer鈥檚 Disease听
Serge Gauthier, MD, is a clinical neurologist specializing in the development of new tools for diagnosis and treatments for people living with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease. He is the Academic Co-Lead for the Dementia Education Program and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery and the Department of Psychiatry at 平特五不中. Dr. Gauthier was the Director of the 平特五不中 Research Centre for Studies in Aging from 1986 to 1997. His accomplishments led to him being appointed to the Order of Canada in 2014 and the National Order of Qu茅bec in 2017.听
Dr. Gauthier will provide an overview of new pharmaceuticals on the market, including how they obtained Health Canada and/or FDA approval, how they work, who is eligible, side effects, availability and cost.听听
September 20, 2023
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Exploring the Experience of Stress in Formal and Informal Dementia Care Partners听
Zahinoor Ismail, MD, is a clinician scientist and Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, Epidemiology, and Pathology at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute and O鈥橞rien Institute for Public Health at the University of Calgary.听 He is also Chair of the Canadian Conference on Dementia, and Chair of the Canadian Consensus Conference on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia, which generates Canadian dementia guidelines, the most recent iteration of which were published in 2020. Dr Ismail was also recently appointed as Co-Chair of the Government of Canada Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia.听
Dr. Ismail will provide a novel approach for reviewing the causes of stress in dementia care partners. He will describe an overall framework for assessing stress, provide clinical examples, and review preliminary data from formal and informal Canadian care partners.听
September 6, 2023
If you have specific topics or questions that you would like us to address during our biweekly webcasts, please email us at听dementia [at] mcgill.ca (subject: 平特五不中%20Cares%20Webcast%20Series%20) .
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We are grateful to the Amelia and Lino Saputo Foundation for their generous support, which will allow us
to pioneer a new standard in dementia education through the new Amelia Saputo Community
Outreach for Dementia Care initiative. Learn more.
