If you are a family member or a friend of someone with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia who is living in the community, below is a list of the Alzheimer Society of Oxford's support services available to you.

Staff of the Alzheimer Society of Oxford are available to answer questions, provide information and support to those who call or visit the office. A referral service provides information to people looking for other services in the community. If an individual cannot come to our office in Woodstock, staff will provide individual support and information in the  individual's home, over the phone or at a convenient location within their community. This service is free of charge.

The Alzheimer Society of Oxford offers monthly support group meetings in Woodstock, Ingersoll and Tillsonburg. Family members and friends of persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia are welcome to join us at these meetings for: emotional support; information on day-to-day practical issues; research updates; Society information; resources and an exchange of ideas. Additional support groups will be introduced as the need is demonstrated. There is no charge for this service.

Participants agree that the group setting allows them to openly discuss their feelings, experiences and fears in a non-judgmental and supportive atmosphere. Participants also appreciate the opportunity to have some form of education offered at each meeting. Call the Alzheimer Society at (519) 421-2466 to speak to our Family Support Worker about the support group meetings in your area. 

Three programs for persons in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia and his/her spouse/immediate family member/close friend:

Connections:  A four week session that provides an opportunity to learn about Alzheimer's disease, cognitive losses, related dementia; share in discussion, ask questions and share emotions in a comfortable setting.

Just for You and Circle of Support:  Once participants have completed Connections, ongoing programs are available to continue providing support and learning. These groups meet twice a month in both Woodstock and Tillsonburg.

Those who attend these groups have developed real friendships with each other:  "It's great - everyone is very supportive and you're always learning something from someone else";  "It's surprising when you talk to others to find you have so many things in common"; "Our whole family is functioning together more smoothly because we are all learning how to cope with the day-to-day issues".

If you are interested in participating in these programs, please call
the Alzheimer Society of Oxford for further information. 

Carolyn Andrassy or Rhonda Crouse at 519-421-2466.

Journeying Together Flier

 

Advocacy activities are undertaken to promote improved services and care for persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia and their families. There is no charge for this service.

The Safely Home Alzheimer Wandering Registry is designed to help individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia return home safely following an episode of wandering or having been lost. When an individual is registered, vital information is stored confidentially in a police database. Should an individual be found wandering or reported missing, the information can be accessed by police anywhere in Canada. We recommend that the information include a photograph of the registered person, to be kept on file with the local Oxford County police, should it become necessary to conduct a search.

Registration for this service is voluntary and confidential. For a one-time fee of $35, the Alzheimer Society of Canada provides an identification bracelet, a Caregiver Handbook and ID cards. Registration is available to persons living in a long-term care facility, retirement home or in the community. To register or for more information contact the Alzheimer Society of Oxford at (519) 421-2466. 

Our newsletter is published three times annually  and contains information such as: 

• how to manage difficult behaviours
• appropriate activities for someone with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia
• coping tips
• research updates
• information on Society activities
• upcoming events.

To receive our newsletter, we invite you to become a member of our Society at an annual cost of $25.00 or $20.00 for seniors and students.

Our Resource Centre is located at our office at 575 Peel Street, Woodstock.  A variety of educational materials is available, including books, journals, newsletters, pamphlets, booklets, DVDs, videos and audio cassettes.  Further resources can be accessed through inter-library loan at the various branches of the Oxford County Library.  Materials may be borrowed free of charge.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia can cause caregivers to experience fatigue, frustration, anger, a sense of isolation and/or a lack of support.

The Volunteer Companion Program provides temporary relief on a regular basis for caregivers of someone with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia, and companionship to the affected person. Our volunteers provide a minimum of two hours of relief on a weekly basis. Volunteers receive a 12-hour training program of information, ongoing education from Alzheimer Society staff and are required to complete a screening process including  police and reference checks. 

This program: increases the family support network; assists in the management of behaviours related to Alzheimer's disease or related dementia; and increases family knowledge of the disease through regular contact with the Volunteer Companion Program Coordinator and Family Support Worker. There is no charge for this service. To arrange for a Volunteer Companion, please contact our Volunteer Companion Program Coordinator at (519) 421-2466 or info@alzheimer.oxford.on.ca. 

Volunteer Companion Program Brochure

The "Cuddle Bear Program" offers hand knitted bears to individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia who are living in a long-term care facility or in the community. The Cuddle Bears meet a fundamental need and may evoke fond memories of the distant past for those who have little connection to the present. 

If you are interested in giving the person in your care a "Cuddle Bear", please contact us at (519) 421-2466 or info@alzheimer.oxford.on.ca  There is no charge for this program.

Donations have been made to the public libraries in Woodstock, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg and Tavistock consisting of a collection of adult and children's books and videos on Alzheimer's disease or related dementia.

The sensory stimulation items, which caregivers can borrow at no charge, provide activation for the person who has Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. All activities within the Centre are geared to persons with impaired cognition. Games, old-time music, mental stimulation exercises and videos are a few of the activities that are within the Centre. The Centre is located at our main office at 575 Peel Street, Woodstock. If visiting our office is not possible, arrangements can be made for delivery of items. Materials can be borrowed free of charge.

The Alzheimer Society of Oxford is available to come to local groups, service clubs or organizations to provide information about Alzheimer's disease, our services and other aspects about caring for those with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. Contact our Education Coordinator at (519) 421-2466 or info@alzheimer.oxford.on.ca.   There is no charge for this service.

 

Contact the Alzheimer Society of Oxford for more information about any of our services at (519) 421-2466 or info@alzheimer.on.ca