Highlights from 2010-2011

  • With the continued support of CIBC, we went on the road and presented "Grey Matters" in nine communities throughout the province.
  • In partnership with Mount Saint Vincent University Centre on Aging, Caregivers Nova Scotia and the Heart and Stroke Foundation, we presented our first live web stream education session on the topic of "Our Aging Society: Who Cares", presented by Dr.Janice Keefe. Nova Scotians tuned into the broadcast from all parts of the province, making the presentation more accessible.
  • Through the Alzheimer Society of Canada and CDRAKE, Society staff and volunteers participate in monthly educational sessions with Alzheimer Societies from across the country. This is made possible through webinar broadcasts. Society Board member John O'Keefe gave one of the first presentations, "Transition to Long Term Care", which was so popular, it was re-broadcast.
  • With a Positive Aging grant from the Department of Seniors, we provided workshops for our support group facilitators across the province. This was an invaluable opportunity to network, learn and share with one another.
  • Partnering with researchers Dr. Ardra Cole and Maura MacIntyre and our support groups in Musquodoboit Harbour and Truro, two Care Cafes were held. Family members shared their caregiving experiences by talking about the items they brought to the cafe and contributed to the research project to increase our understanding of the experience of caring for someone with dementia.
  • In Cape Breton, we partnered with the Cape Breton Regional Council of Seniors and Pensioners to develop and pilot a seven week education program for persons diagnosed in early stage dementia,"Navigating Your Way With Dementia."
  • The Society continued to be an active participant in the Nova Scotia Seniors Mental Health Network, including presentations at the 50+ Expo and the Joy of Aging series held in three communities across Nova Scotia.
  • Over the last year, we experienced a 19% increase in volume of calls to our Alzheimer InfoLine service for a total of 880 contacts.
  • We hosted our 21st provincial conference, "Rising Tide: Navigating the Journey", in October. Over two days, 260 health care providers attended along with an additional 40 family members who came to our Family and Friends night presentation.
  • The Alzheimer Societies of the Atlantic provinces worked together to launch a public awareness campaign in February, which included ads appearing in local papers, and the use of social media tools. Videos were created of caregivers discussing the current gaps in dementia care, and were placed on our websites, Face book and Twitter accounts, and e-mailed out to our stakeholders.
  • The Alzheimer Society's Alzheimer Awareness month in January, with the theme of "Alzheimer's disease . . . It's More Than You Think", was very successful, with many requests for television interviews and newspaper articles.
  • Our Halifax Research Breakfast showcased the outstanding research being done by Phyllis Horton Bursary recipient, Ian MacDonald. The well attended event also saw previous winner Dr. Laura Middleton speak about her inspiring research.

Last Updated: 12/16/11