Programs and services
The Alzheimer Society of Durham Region can help you by providing information, resources, education, support and counselling. Use this page as your guide to finding the care and support you may need.
Program Guide
View our Program Guide here.
The program guide is a listing of all our programs and services provided throughout the year. It will help you to understand more about who our programs and services are intended for and how attending can benefit you. The guide does not include dates and locations, those can be found in our quarterly program calendars released each season. Our latest program calendar is available here and includes our active living programs, support groups and education workshops for the upcoming months.
We are here to help
Our staff and volunteers provide support programs, educational resources, referral services and more to ease the burden of care and improve the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, as well as for their care partners and families.
Experience has shown that the earlier people begin to strategize and learn about coping with dementia, the better they are prepared and the better their care partners are able to provide support over time.
We hope you will find relief in knowing you are not alone and that you do not have to pioneer your own path, when so many have gone before and have shared their learning.
Scroll down to learn more about the programs and services we offer at the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region.
Referral services
If you are concerned that you may have dementia, or have been recently diagnosed and are unsure what your next step is, the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region can help you get the information you need.
Please use our online referral form available here. Or download the PDF here and fax to 905-576-2033.
Health care providers can also send referrals using the Ocean platform.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns intake@alzheimerdurham.com or 905-576-2567 ext. 5245.
Dementia is not a normal part of aging.
- If you are concerned about any of the early warning signs, go to your doctor.
- If you don’t receive the help you need, ask to be referred to a specialist. You know your body and you should speak up if you have worries about Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
- Our list of 10 warning signs can help you identify the signs of dementia.
First Link®
First Link® is an innovative program that connects people who are newly diagnosed with local health-care providers across Ontario. People living with dementia can receive information about a diagnosis, day-to-day living, positive approaches to care and how to prepare for the end of life.
The program also provides individual support and counselling and links people living with the disease to other Alzheimer Society programs and services.
Active Living programs
All Active Living programs are geared to individuals living with Alzheimer's disease or other dementias and their care partners, family and friends.
“The Friendly Place” — Young Onset Adult Day Program
For persons diagnosed with dementia prior to age 65, our Adult Day Program (ADP) provides opportunities to participate in social and recreational programming, including creative arts, exercise, music and games.
Registration and program assessment required. Please contact us for more information 905-576-2567 ext. 5003.
Dementia education and resources
Dementia education
The Alzheimer Society of Durham Region provides many educational opportunities for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, their family and friends, health-care providers and the general public.
Explore our website further or contact our Community Education Team at education@alzheimerdurham.com for more information about education programs or presentation requests.
Dementia resources
The Alzheimer Society of Durham Region provides resources for people living with dementia, family members and care partners.
Our website contains valuable resources to help you throughout the dementia journey, whether you've just received a diagnosis and are wondering about first and next steps, or if you are looking for more information as the condition progresses. Resources are available for persons living with dementia, care partners and families.
Drop by our office at 1600 Stellar Dr., Suite 202, Whitby (above the Pita Deli) to pick up a wide range of print information. Books, videos and DVDs may also be borrowed for a three-week loan.
We also provide resources for health-care providers and students in Durham Region.
The Alzheimer Society Music Project
The Alzheimer Society Music Project reconnects people with the soundtrack of their lives by providing MP3 players loaded with personalized music to people living with dementia.
Listening to personalized music can be a powerful activity for those with dementia. Music has the potential to increase physical and social activity, reignite older memories, and improve sleep, mood, cognition, communication and overall quality of life.
Multicultural Music
If you are interested in our selection of multicultural music, please complete an application in your region first and then email us your completed music selection form at mproject@alz.to.
Currently, we have music selections in Chinese, Russian with many more to come!
Dementia-Friendly Communities
Our Dementia-Friendly Communities program provides businesses and organizations with an opportunity to receive education about dementia and learn strategies to provide good customer service to people living with dementia.
Learn more about our Dementia-Friendly Communities program.
More resources on dementia
Across Canada, the Alzheimer Society offers resources for people living with dementia, care partners, families, health-care providers and first responders.
Contact us for a list of helpful resources at information@alzheimerdurham.com.
MINT Memory Clinic
MINT Memory Clinics (previously Primary Care Collaborative Memory Clinics) help family doctors care for their patients by completing specialized memory assessments and plans for care. The mobile interprofessional team (MINT) based out of the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region consists of Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Behavioural Support Nurse. This team works together with specially trained physicians to provide early diagnosis, treatment and support for daily challenges associated with memory concerns. Our team assists with the most challenging aspects of dementia care and works with the Alzheimer Society’s First Link® program to connect clients with the resources and supports they need.
Who should be referred for a MINT Memory Clinic assessment? Adults or older adults, not previously assessed by another memory clinic or service, who are experiencing symptoms of memory loss that may or may not be affecting daily functions. Referrals for the Memory Clinic are accepted from primary-care providers and local GAIN teams.
For information about the MINT Team, phone 905-576-2567 ext. 5235 or email spersaud@alzheimerdurham.com
Enhancing Care for Ontario Care Partners
Our clinical services and group programs help care partners manage the day-to-day care of the person living with dementia, reduce emotional stress and burden, and improve their ability to cope with the demands of caregiving.
This service consists of three programs, CARERS and TEACH. Programs are offered both in-person and via video-conferencing (online). Contact intake@alzheimerdurham.com for more information about upcoming programs.
If you are a health-care provider or paid caregiver, please contact us at intake@alzheimerdurham.com and ask about our available dementia-training programs.
Individual and group support
We provide a variety of support for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, families and care partners, whether it is through individual support or a support group.
Safety services
When Alzheimer's disease and other dementias progress, the person living with the disease has the potential to go missing. This situation presents a serious safety concern, but know that help and support is available.
Finding Your Way®
Finding Your Way® is a website dedicated to helping people living with dementia, their families, care partners and communities recognize the risk of going missing, be prepared for incidents of going missing and ensure that people living with dementia can live safely in the community.