Online programming

Online education

Learn about dementia from anywhere by participating in one of our webinars or online workshops. You can attend a webinar live or watch a recording of it after the fact. Our online workshops are smaller groups with more discussion and are only available live. Learn more about our dementia education.

Please note: Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be rescheduling the previously planned September 24 session with Dr. Mari DeMarco. 
Webinar: Research connects – Indigenous art and storytelling in virtual reality | In recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we are welcoming team members of the Indigenous art and storytelling in virtual reality (VR) project. This innovative project is a collaboration between University of British Columbia’s IDEA Lab and the Museum of Anthropology with Indigenous partners. Join us to learn more about this B.C.-based research project preserving Indigenous cultural traditions of storytelling, visual arts and intergenerational knowledge sharing through VR technology. 
Wednesday, September 24 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Webinar: Making activities dementia friendly | Remaining active and meaningfully engaged is vital for people living with dementia to live well. Discuss how you can adapt different kinds of activities to be inclusive of the person living with the disease to help improve quality of life and enjoy your time together. For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, October 1 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
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Webinar: Driving and dementia | Dementia will affect a person’s ability to drive and for many people this represents a loss of independence. Discuss strategies for how to have the conversations about the topic early and ease the transition when it’s time for someone to retire from driving. For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, October 8 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
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Workshop: Targeted strategies for denial, paranoia, shadowing and anxiety | Learn how to identify the emotional reality of loss of insight – often misinterpreted as denial –  paranoia, shadowing and anxious behaviour. Discover effective strategies for responding to these behaviours using a person-centred approach. For caregivers.
Thursday, October 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
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Webinar: Preparing for end-of-life on the dementia journey | Learn what to expect when transitioning from advanced dementia to end-of-life. We will explore the physiological signs of dying, key decisions to be made, ways to discuss end-of-life wishes in advance and strategies to maintain connection throughout the end of the dementia journey. For caregivers.
Wednesday, October 15 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
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Webinar: Lived experience | Dementia unscripted | Join us for an open and honest dialogue with people who are redefining what it means to live well with dementia and mild cognitive impairment. In this candid conversation, you’ll discover how our panelists embrace life, navigate change and find joy amidst adversity. This is a unique opportunity to ask your pressing questions and dive deep into what living well with dementia truly means. For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, October 22 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
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Webinar: Getting your affairs in order: Health-care, legal and financial planning | Early in the dementia journey it can feel daunting to think about what lies ahead – but it’s important to plan now, before communication and decision-making become more challenging. Learn how to begin planning early for important legal, health-care and financial decisions. For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, October 29 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
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Webinar: Essentials of personal planning & representation agreements | Have you planned for support, incapacity or end-of-life needs in the past, and had plans change due to a dementia diagnosis? Or maybe you haven’t yet made plans and are looking to start?  Join this webinar to learn more from Nidus, a BC-based, non-profit charity with expertise in Representation Agreements, personal planning and related legislation. You’ll learn answers to questions like: What are your legal options for getting the support that you need with making decisions about health care, personal care, financial and legal matters?  What can you do if you’ve made a plan in the past, but it’s no longer feasible?  Don’t miss this chance to understand how the people you trust can have the legal authority to help you when you need it most. For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, November 5 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
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Webinar: Dementia and hearing | Join Cheri-Leigh Sewell, Registered Audiologist and Hearing Instrument Practitioner to learn about the connections between hearing loss and dementia. For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, November 12 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
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Workshop: Recognizing your journey as a caregiver | Discuss the personal challenges, guilt and grief of being a caregiver. Learn how to recognize signs of burnout, the importance of self-care and how you can build resilience. There will be opportunities for discussion throughout the presentation. For caregivers.
Monday, November 17 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
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Webinar: Strategies for self-care: Prioritizing your well-being | Learn about strategies to positively manage stress and prioritize self-care to cope with the changes brought by dementia. For caregivers.
Wednesday, November 19 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
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Webinar: Research connects: Better nights for better days: The role of sleep for brain health | Good sleep is essential for health and well-being at every stage of life—but many people struggle to get the rest they need. Research shows sleep disturbances like sleep apnea and insomnia are risk factors for developing dementia. Join Dr. Elizabeth Keys, who heads up UBC Okanagan’s SLUMBER Lab, for this informative session. Learn why sleep is important for brain health and how to better manage common sleep challenges. For the general public.
Wednesday, November 26 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Coffee and Chat

We offer a social program to help you meet new people, engage in social activities and have fun. Learn more about the program.

When: Every second Thursday, 11 a.m. to noon.
For people living with early-stage dementia.

Register: Call the First Link^® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033.

Minds in Motion^®

Discover our fitness and social program tailored for individuals with early-stage dementia, promoting wellness and connection. Weekly online groups are free to attend. Learn more about the program.

When:

• Mondays from 1:30 to 3 p.m. (English)
   
• Mondays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. (Punjabi)
   
• Fridays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. (English)

Register: Call the First Link^® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033 (English) or 1-833-674-5003 (Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu).

Online Support Groups

Join our virtual support groups for caregivers and connect with an online community that understands and supports you. Learn more about our support groups.

Please note: Due to the high level of interest in our support groups for people living with dementia and caregivers, we are only listing groups with space for new members. If you're interested in joining a support group not listed here, please call the First Link^® Dementia Helpline.

General support group
Open to caregivers anywhere in B.C. who are currently caring for a person living with dementia.
2nd Monday of the month, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
1st Tuesday of the month, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
2nd Friday of the month, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
3rd Thursday of the month, 2 to 3:30 p.m.

General support group (Punjabi/Hindi)
Open to caregivers anywhere in B.C. who speak Punjabi or Hindi and are currently caring for a person living with dementia.
For more information, call the South Asian First Link^® Dementia Helpline at 1-833-674-5003.

General support group (Mandarin)
Open to anyone in B.C. who speaks Mandarin and is currently caring for a person living with dementia.
For more information, call the First Link^® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033 (English) or 1-833-674-5007 (Cantonese and Mandarin)

Adult children support group
Open to caregivers anywhere in B.C. who are caring for a parent living with dementia.
2nd Wednesday of the month, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Young onset support group
Open to caregivers anywhere in B.C. who are caring for a person living with dementia who was diagnosed before the age of 65.
For more information, please call the First Link^® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033.

Long-term care support group
Open to caregivers anywhere in B.C. who are caring for a person living with dementia in a long-term care home.
3rd Tuesday of the month, 10 to 11:30 a.m.
3rd Tuesday of the month, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

2SLGBTQIA+support group
Open to 2SLGBTQIA+ caregivers or caregivers of a person living with dementia who identifies as 2SLGBTQIA+ anywhere in B.C.
1st Wednesday of the month, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Early stage support group
Open to people living with early symptoms of dementia to discuss the impact of the disease, share stories, experiences and learn from one another about how to live well with dementia.
Every other Wednesday, 10 to 11 a.m. *telephone only*

Lewy body dementia support group
Open to caregivers anywhere in B.C. who are caring for a person living with Lewy body dementia.
For more information, please call the First Link^® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033.

BvFTD support group
Open to caregivers anywhere in B.C. who are caring for someone with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia.
For more information, please call the First Link^® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033.

Online Campus

Our online campus is designed to deliver engaging, accessible and relevant education to people impacted by dementia through online e-learning courses. 

An e-learning course is similar to an online workshop, where participants learn about dementia through videos, readings and interactive activities. The difference is an e-learning course can be taken anytime, anywhere you have access to an electronic device and internet connection, and at your own pace, because we understand that flexibility is important. Visit our online campus here.

For our in-person programming, click here.