Regional programming - Yukon

Explore the most recent online programs and services in the Yukon.

Education-workshop

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Below, you'll find information about our online programs and support services available to people in the Yukon who are living with dementia or caring for someone who is.

To register call our toll-free number First Link® Yukon Dementia Helpline at 1-888-852-2579.
The First Link® Yukon Dementia Helpline is available from Monday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. We only offer service in English at this time. For email inquiries, please contact us at: [email protected]

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.

Webinar: Mindfulness as a strategy for living well with dementia | There is so much about life that we can’t control. We never know how things will unfold as we move forward. Cognitive change can blow in like a harsh wind and toss us around like a ship at sea. Just as we have no control over the weather; we have no control over the unfolding of cognitive change. So how can we meet the challenges with wisdom and compassion? We can learn to adjust our sails using mindful awareness. Join Dr. Liz Drance as she guides you through mindfulness practices that can support your ship when the stormy weather of cognitive change hits! For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, June 11 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Workshop: Targeted strategies for word salad, wanting to go home and more | Dementia affects how a person conveys their thoughts and feelings; common behaviours can include mixing up words (word salad) and creating false memories without motivation (confabulation) which can lead to misunderstandings and frustrations. Learn how to address these behaviours and respond to other questions, like wanting to go home and asking about deceased relatives. For caregivers.
Tuesday, June 17 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Click here to register

Webinar: Dementia diagnosis: What’s next? | Explore how to navigate life after a dementia diagnosis alongside others who are also on the dementia journey. Discuss the disease’s impact on family, learn practical strategies to live well and access resources that are available at any stage of the disease. For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, June 18 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Webinar: Lived experience: The power of creative self-expression | Creative self-expression can help caregivers heal, build resilience and cope with grief and loss. In this panel discussion, caregivers will share how their personal creative outlets have helped them find solace, hope and strength on the dementia journey. For caregivers.
Wednesday, June 25 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Webinar: Personal care: Bathing and hygiene | Bathing is often a highly private, personal activity and people living with dementia may need help when they’re feeling vulnerable. Learn about common hygiene challenges and effective strategies to maintain a successful routine. For caregivers.
Wednesday, July 2 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Webinar: Ready for take-off: Dementia-friendly airport experiences | Join us for an inspiring and informative live panel discussion hosted by Sana Aziz, the Strategic Lead for the Alzheimer Society of B.C.'s Dementia-Friendly Communities team. We're excited to welcome: Jim Mann, advocate and individual with lived experience of dementia and Marco Chiaramonte, Senior Accessibility and Inclusion Specialist at Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Together, they’ll explore how YVR is leading the way in transforming air travel to be more accessible, comfortable and respectful for everyone - especially people living with dementia and their care partners. For the general public.
Wednesday, July 9 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Webinar: Personal care: Dressing and grooming | We all want to look and feel good, but changes in the brain due to dementia can affect a person’s abilities and more assistance may gradually be required with personal care. Learn tips and strategies for making these daily activities more successful. For caregivers.
Wednesday, July 16 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Workshop: Family caregiver series | A four-part online education series for family members who are caring for a person living with dementia. Topics include: 
• Understanding dementia (types, causes, progression)
• Communication and behaviour (e.g. repetitive questions, confusion)
• Planning for the future
• Self-care for caregivers
Four Thursdays: July 17 - August 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Registration:
Please call the 
First Link® Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033

Webinar: Delusions, hallucinations and visual mistakes | Learn about the causes and triggers of delusions, hallucinations and visual mistakes, then explore strategies for responding to these behaviours to best support people living with dementia. For caregivers.
Wednesday, July 23 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

Webinar: Creating a safe home environment: Identifying and minimizing risks | Learn to identify safety risks in the home and make adaptations to prevent accidents. Topics include safety measures for medications, food, hazardous substances and more. For caregivers and people living with dementia.
Wednesday, July 30 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Click here to register

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.