Find support in Thunder Bay

We provide support for individuals living with dementia, families, partners in care and health service providers through individual or family counselling, support and discussion Groups, and the Learning Series. Contact us for our current services amid Covid-19 at (807) 345-9556.

Clinical Team

Individual and family counselling

Our staff is trained to provide support and information to people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, family members and partners in care. We are here to:

  • Offer counselling and support
  • Answer questions about Alzheimer's disease and other dementias
  • Share information and provide referrals to various community resources

Individual and family support and counselling is offered during office hours. Evening sessions can also be arranged. Location may vary if needed and phone sessions can also be scheduled.

In the event emergency assistance is requires after hours, please contact Thunder Bay Crisis Response Service at (807) 346-8282. In addition, the Ontario Dementia Network and the Alzheimer Society of Ontario have been working with Telehealth Ontario to help family caregivers prevent crises when regular services are closed, on evenings and weekends. The free service is available 24/7 by dialing 1-866-797-0000.

Families and friends provide most of the care for the 200,000 Ontario seniors with dementia. They play a critical role as part of the caregiving team, yet they have no one to call for reassurance, information, symptom management, and anxiety relief after business hours.

The free telephone service, which gives access to educated nurses for all Ontarians who need health advice, has reviewed and strengthened its service to provide specific support and information to caregivers of people with dementia at night and on weekends, when regular services are closed. During regular business hours, calls will be redirected to the local Alzheimer Society.

Discussion and support groups

Groups are designed so that people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias and partners in care can learn from others who may be having similar experiences.

All of our groups are offered free of charge, but are for registered clients only. For more information or to register, contact Pam at 807-345-9556.

  • Coffee Club: for both men and women caring for someone with dementia. This group meets twice a month.
  • Daughter's Group: For daughter's caring for someone with dementia. This group meets once a month.

We also organize a number of specialized groups which are offered at different times throughout the year.

  • Diner's Club: a social group for care partners and people with dementia, the Diner's club meets at a different restaurant once a month.
  • "Lunch Bunch": a social group for care partners and people with dementia, the Lunch Bunch meets once a month.

The Learning Series

Learning Series helps people with dementia, their families and friends to live as well as possible with the disease. The courses build upon each other to provide participants with a comprehensive overview of dementia, coping strategies, available resources and support. Participants have the opportunity to learn and share with others who are affected by dementia.

1) First steps for people with dementia and caregivers: This series is to help individuals newly diagnosed with a dementia and their caregivers understand their diagnosis and the changes they experience. This series will also offer participants an opportunity to share and connect with others embarking on a similar journey. First Steps covers: What is dementia, Memory loss & changes to the brain and their effects on behaviours, coping strategies, drugs treatment and research, future planning, and community resources and support.

2) Next steps for families and friends This series will offer family members and friends caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias an overview of the disease. The topics discussed in this series will be much the same as those listed above under First Steps.

3) Care essentials offers family members and friends caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias problem solving strategies, approaches for communication and available avenues for support, all of which can strengthen their ability to provide care. Topics discussed at this series will include: the progression of the disease, understanding behaviour, day to day care, community resources.

4) Options for care helps family members and friends caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias evaluate their current care giving needs and explore other possible care options available, including long term care. The following topics will be discussed in this series: where to turn when care needs are increasing, Long Term Care - how the system works, coping with changes,

5) Care in the later stages helps family members and friends of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias understand what to expect in the later stages of dementia. The following topics will be discussed in this series: understanding the experiences of grief and loss, learning about the later stages, recognizing pain and distress, providing care that promotes dignity, comfort and quality of life

Brochures and resources

If you are newly diagnosed:

  • First Steps outlines a step-by-step plan to help people who are newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
  • What to Expect gives an overview of the stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Shared Experiences: Suggestions for Those With Alzheimer Disease is a brochure with advice written by people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • The booklet Memory problems? was created by people with dementia for people with dementia. It was produced and is generously shared by the Early Stage Support Groups in the North/Central Okanagan Region of the Alzheimer Society of B.C.

If you are a family member or caregiver: