1. Reaching a Different Part of the Brain

2. My Father Had Alzheimer’s

3.  An independent Canadian Registered
Charity established in May 2006
 We support caregivers of those with
Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.
In doing so we fund, administer and/or market
programs and services that:
 Make a difference in the day to day lives of
caregivers and their loved ones, often a life
partner or parent
 Are not currently available through
statutory assistance but complement that
already existing within the community
Thereby easing the burden of care giving –
one family at a time.
 All programs and services are provided by
qualified service providers and are
dependent on funding.

4. Project Lifesaver or
Friendship Connection
Greater Victoria
 VHF radio frequency  A companion program
wander location & recovery whereby clients of Lifetime
program for seniors with Networks and their support
dementia, dedicated to workers visit seniors with
bringing loved ones home Alzheimer’s or dementia
providing a “friendship
connection”

5.  Dementia is an umbrella term
 Many different types
 Shared signs & symptoms
 Most common is memory loss
 Alzheimer Disease is the most common form of
dementia effecting about 67%
 Diagnosis given when other forms of dementia have
been ruled out

6.  Alzheimer's and dementia kills more people than Breast and
Prostate Cancers combined!
 Alzheimer Disease is now the 6th leading cause of death
 It is the only cause of death among the top 10 that cannot be
prevented, cured, or even slowed
 Alzheimer’s or dementia is now the second most frightening
disease behind cancer
 1 in 11 Canadians over age 65 has AD or dementia
 A new case of dementia is diagnosed in Canada every 5 minutes
 70% of people with AD or dementia live at home cared for by
family and friends
 25% of caregivers experience economic hardship
 Caregivers assume 75-85% of the financial responsibility of
caring

7. Signs & Symptoms Art’s Effect
1. Memory not required or old
1. Memory loss memories still in tact
2. Difficulty performing 2. Simply create
familiar tasks
3. Problems with language 3. No language needed for art
4. Disorientation of time and 4.Time/place not relevant
place
5. Poor or decreased judgment
5 & 6. No judgement or abstract
thinking necessary, just doing
6. Problems with abstract
thinking
7. Misplacing things 7. Necessary materials provided
8. Changes in mood or 8. Simply express themselves
behaviour
9. Elevates mood, focuses attention,
9. Changes in personality
distracts, calms & relaxes
10. Loss of initiative 10. Engages, allows expression

8.  Music
 Singing
 Dancing
 Painting
 Drawing
 Colouring
 Sculpting
 Collage Making
 Imprinting
 Decorating
 Flower Arranging
 Storytelling
Essentially:
 Creating
 Even viewing great art

9. Arts & Alzheimer’s
 Concept: art & music participation for
seniors with dementia
 Focus on 70% of people at home with
caregiver
 Engaging the minds of those with
dementia
 Providing respite to caregivers
 Pilot launched April 2011 in Oak Bay
 2 - 8 week pilots running spring & fall

10.  2 programs (Oak Bay Untied Church & Saanich
Silver Threads
 2 days a week (Tuesdays & Thursdays)
 2 hours each day
 10 consecutive weeks
 3 cycles of 10 weeks in a year (New Year, Spring &
Fall)

11.  Simple & consistent format
 Only art & music
 No other activities or
outings
 Not therapy
 No expectations
 We are not trying to
rehabilitate

12.  Employing the best practices of dementia care:
 Socialization
 Interaction with other
 Structured routine
 Non-verbal activity
 Expressive outlet
 Beyond that:
 Unconditional acceptance
 Compassion, understanding, encouragement

13.  Clients:
 Socialize & new friends
 Freedom of expression
 Cultivation new or renewed talent
 Sense of pride & accomplishment
 Fun
 Caregivers:
 Respite
 Support
 New friends
 Companionship
 Social activity

14.  Distraction
 Deep relaxation
 Supports pain management
 Reduces stress
 Reduces blood pressure
 Increases endorphins in the
brain
 Boosts the immune system
 Elevates mood
 Relieves four A's - anxiety,
aggression, agitation & apathy

15.  Emotional Memory
 They don’t remember us
(volunteers, organizers
or art & music guides)
 They don’t remember
the program or what
they do there
 They don’t remember
the people they meet or
befriend
 They remember how it
makes them feel!
"Is today the day we go to
class?"

16. 1. Stop asking your loved one or
client questions!
2. They don’t need tough love,
they need unconditional love.
3. If you have met one person
with Alzheimer’s, you have
met one person with
Alzheimer’s!
4. Caregiver’s Mantra:
It’s the disease not the person.

18. We Rage We Weep Alzheimer
Foundation
Easing the burden of care giving -
one family at a time
www.werageweweep.com
Registered Charity BN: 80814 2277 RR0001
Proudly funding, administrating & marketing
Project Lifesaver of Greater Victoria
Arts & Alzheimer’s
Friendship Connection