Programs
The Memory Care Alliance programs are built on the understanding that the best resources caregivers have is each other and the founding principle of building communities of caregivers.
FOUR CORE PRINCIPLES
COMMUNITIES OF CARE - Weekly caregiver meetings based on our belief that the most valuable resource caregivers have is each other.
Ongoing regular sessions where caregivers come together to meet other people in similar situations, find out information, share experience and sometimes say out loud the things don’t feel able to say elsewhere. These are support groups, but we don’t use this term as it can be off putting. We run open groups available to everyone and targeted groups for example based on sex, language groups, cultural communities, or sexuality. Education without ongoing support has limited benefit.
EDUCATION EMPOWERS - Programs like caregiver days, our Prepare to Care course, workshops and presentations on topics caregivers need, all provide the knowledge and skills needed to succeed.
The Prepare to Care covers all aspects of caregiving that is both practical and heartful. Topics include understanding the types of dementia, long term planning strategies, self-care, legal/financial challenges, on-going daily care techniques and communication skills, and shopping for services. The 8-hour course is usually delivered over 4 sessions, either in-person or on-line, however we have adapted it to run over two half days. Caregiver Days have 3 segments: speakers on a wide range of dementia and caregiver related topics, Ask Us Anything Panel, vendors market for local service providers. Lunch is included and respite care offered.
SOCIALIZATION, NOT ISOLATION - Monthly Memory Cafes and our Out and About field trips keep both caregivers and the ones they care for, socially engaged and active, together.
As symptoms of dementia progress, socializing in public spaces can become difficult and stressful, and caregivers either end up socializing on their own or just staying home together. Life can shut down and both caregiver and the person with dementia can become isolated. Offering opportunities for caregiver and cared for together is crucial. Memory Cafés are low key places for caregiver and loved ones to meet in a relaxed environment, with light refreshments and usually an organized group activity. Out and Abouts provide quality cultural and leisure experiences for people to share together. Examples include trips to museums, concerts, an ice-cream dairy, and most recently a fishing trip.
DEMENTIA FRIENDS - This community ambassador program helps build “dementia friendly communities” to remove the fear and stigma of Alzheimer’s and replace it with compassionate understanding and constructive actions.
This international program is the first step in creating Dementia Friendly Communities. A simple awareness session delivered in 1hr -1 hr15 has 5 key messages about dementia that aim to educate people, reduce stigma, and encourage action. Suitable for any community or workplace setting.
Regular groups are the underpinning of the community and we encourage regular attendance, especially early on. However, caregivers can become part of the community by entering at any point. For example, they may come to a Caregiver Day, sign up to a Prepare to Care Course and then attend a group, or go to a Dementia Friends sessions and then a group and then bring their loved one to a social activity. We say the real magic happens when the caregivers start meeting outside of the organized activities, going for coffee, meeting at the dog park, inviting each other and their loved ones to share holidays. In terms of developing programs in new areas, either a Dementia Friends Presentation, a Caregiver Day, or a Prepare to Course is a good way to raise awareness in a community, followed up by setting up groups with partner organizations.
Former caregivers are encouraged to keep attending programs after their loved one days: they are still part of the community, and they find purpose in sharing their experiences and supporting active caregivers.
All programs are free. Respite is offered for all in-person activities.
The four core principles align with the CONNECT part of Blue Zones. They give people a place where they can BELONG, where they can put their LOVED ONE FIRST, and the community of caregivers becomes their RIGHT TRIBE. When former caregivers continue to attend, the have the RIGHT OUTLOOK, by finding new purpose in helping others.
VIEW PROGRAMS IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Click on the button below to view programs in your area
