• Mission Statement

• Charitable Registration Number

• Who We Are

• Supporting Alzheimer Research

• Our Vision

• Our Values

• Our Sponsorship Policy

• Our Partners

• Special Projects & Major Accomplishments

• How We are Funded

• The Alzheimer Movement

The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County exists to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and to promote research.

• Established in 1980

• Non-profit and charitable

• Incorporated in 1982 - Provincial Charter

• Volunteer Board of Directors – 11 members

• Approximately 500 members and 100 volunteers

• Sixteen full time staff

• Associated with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario (39 chapters) and the Alzheimer Society of Canada

The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County contributed:

• $45,963 to the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s Peer Review National Research Program for 2007/08.
• approximately $539,000 to the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s Peer Review National Research Program since 1984.
• $93,000 to evaluate the “Effect of Environmental Design in Managing Behavioural Problems and Meeting the Needs of Residents with Dementia: Evaluation of the Peter D. Clark Long Term Care Centre’s Bungalow Design”.
• $150,000 to support the Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases at the University of Toronto through the Alzheimer Society of Ontario since 1984.

Our Vision is a world without Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Dignity
• We treat everyone we serve with dignity, empathy, compassion and respect for their right to make their own decisions.
Accessibility
• We strive to make our services available to all individuals and their families who experience the effects of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Partnership
• We establish and promote partnerships and teamwork among staff & volunteers, community and government agencies, businesses and professionals to ensure a responsive and coordinated range of services to meet the needs of the people we serve.
Leadership
• We demonstrate leadership in advocating for the development of programs and services for those we serve based on innovation and excellence.
Integrity
• We are accountable to our members, funding organizations and donors for the stewardship of the resources entrusted to us on behalf of our communities.

Our Sponsorship Policy

Get a copy of "Our Sponsorship Policy"

The Champlain Dementia Network, a coalition of three existing networks consisting of the Dementia Network of Ottawa, Eastern Counties and Renfrew County, was formalized in September, 2005. This 23 member voluntary organization with two co-chairs has wide representation including diagnostic assessment and treatment services, the Alzheimer Society, community services, caregivers, long-term care facilities, residential facilities, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, etc. Physician representation includes geriatric medicine, psychiatry, family medicine and neurology. The Champlain Dementia Network addresses gaps and unmet needs in the areas of service delivery, education and research related to dementia.

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care through the provincial Alzheimer Strategy funds two Alzheimer Society of Ottawa educational positions in Ottawa and Renfrew County.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is providing $85,000 funding to the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa over two years (2006 – 2008) to assist the Champlain Dementia Network in its efforts to improve access to caregiver support and ensure better co-ordination of service delivery to persons with dementia and their family members in Eastern Ontario.

Guest House - A home away from home

Initiating a new supportive service for individuals with dementia and their families in the community…

Taking action from the recommendation of the Ottawa Respite Research Study, the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County developed the concept of the Guest House and invited The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre, and Carefor Health & Community Services to be our partnering organizations in building the Guest House – A home away from home that provides respite care for people in the early to mid-stage of dementia who live in Eastern Counties, Ottawa and Renfrew County. Opened in March 2007, the 12 bedroom bungalow provides short and long term, planned and emergency respite stays with services available in English and French.

o Commonly Asked Questions
o Join the Guest House Volunteer Team
o Articles on Respite
o Guest House Virtual Tour

Commonly Asked Questions
Guest House Fact Sheet (English) December 2007 (pdf)

Le Guest House – Fiche descriptive – decembre 2007 (pdf)

Join the Guest House Volunteer Team

Articles on Respite

Caregivers and Dementia – Sherri Torjman and Anne Makhoul, The Caledon Institute of Social Policy (June 2008)

• Report
• Report Appendices
• Release of “Caregivers and Dementia” Study (2 page summary) – September 2008

The Dementia Respite Bungalow - Anne Makhoul, The Caledon Institute of Social Policy (2004)

R-e-s-p-i-t-e Spells Respect – Sherri Torjman, The Caledon Institue of Social Policy (2004)

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Dementia Care Forum

Initiating the first ever regional public policy forum in Ottawa…

In 1999: At the request of the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa, the City of Ottawa agreed to host this one-day forum in 1999. The purpose was a call to action for the 75 invited local decision makers to develop priorities on three well-recognized gaps in dementia care – dementia education and training for professional caregivers, community services, and coordinated specialized diagnosis and support. The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa was the lead agency with the City of Ottawa and the Dementia Network of Ottawa as partners.

Specific recommendations were directed to 13 different organizations that included the City of Ottawa, the Community Care Access Centre, and the Champlain District Health Council. One major recommendation directed to the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa, the Region and the Champlain District Health Council was to conduct a Respite Research Study to determine the real needs of dementia caregivers in Ottawa. Another recommendation was to provide housing options for those with dementia. The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa will explore new housing options.

In November 2002: Dementia Care Forum II was held.

In November 2005: “Champlain Dementia Forum: A Regional Approach for Action”, co-organized by our chapter, was designed to enhance the partnership among the three Dementia Networks in the Eastern Counties, Ottawa, and Renfrew County that came together under one umbrella to form The Champlain Dementia Network (Eastern Counties, Ottawa, Renfrew) and to begin to develop a regional approach for dementia in the Champlain region. Shared at the Forum: Best practices of the Dementia Networks in the Champlain region, discussion of common priority areas of education and respite care, and the development of a regional action plan for these two priorities.

On March 30, 2006: “Progress & Hope”, the first ever Eastern Ontario Dementia Symposium was presented by the Alzheimer Society, Regional Geriatric Assessment Program of Ottawa, and the Champlain Dementia Network.

On June 3, 2008: “Tough Issues: Ethical Issues in Dementia Care”, the second Eastern Ontario Dementia Symposium was presented by the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County and the Champlain Dementia Network. Keynote speaker was Dr. Stephen Post from the School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University on the topic of “Human Worth and the Most Deeply Forgetful”.

Respectare: moral respect for the lives of the deeply forgetful

Stumbling on Joy: Not Always a “Burden” of Care”

The Bungalows at the Peter D. Clark Long Term Care Centre

Influencing the way care is delivered to those with dementia in long term care facilities…

The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa conceived and developed the design and program for a 48-bed innovative dementia care facility formerly known as the “Dementia Care Residence” and now referred to as “The Bungalows”. The goal was to provide a demonstration model that would influence the way care is delivered to individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders in Ottawa and across Canada.

In 1998 the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa joined forces with the City of Ottawa to incorporate the footprint of the Bungalows into the design of the new Peter D. Clark Long Term Care Centre. The Ontario Ministry of Health approved the funding proposal for the Bungalows for its unique function to develop and evaluate state-of-the-art design and care programs for the most difficult to serve dementia residents -- an identified gap in Ottawa.

The Bungalows are owned and operated by the City of Ottawa and are an integral part of the Peter D. Clark Long Term Care Centre which opened in May 2001. The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa committed $100,000 to dementia training for the Centre’s staff and a further $186,000 for research to test the effectiveness of the Bungalows’ building design and the operating programs through the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s Peer Review Research Program. Research began in November 2004 for a 2-year period and was completed in the fall of 2007. Results will be directed to the Champlain Public Policy Committee.

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Family Guide to Dementia Care

Supporting caregivers through a comprehensive guide to information and resources…

The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa published “A Family Guide to Dementia Care in Ottawa” in November 2001 to provide families who are living with a person with dementia some information on care and community resources in the Ottawa area thanks to funding provided by the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care. It was the result of the Educational Needs Assessment we carried out in January 2000 to assess the dementia educational needs of families.

After an extensive evaluation process undertaken in the spring of 2003, the second edition of this guide is now available. This revised comprehensive 12 chapter guide incorporates suggestions received from all our stakeholders and provides information on commonly asked questions about the Alzheimer journey from beginning to end. Topics include: The Disease; Drugs and Research; Understanding the System; Daily Life; Paperwork and Planning; and When Living at Home is Not Possible.

The Alzheimer Society of Ontario has now adopted this guide as a provincial resource. A listing of local community resources available can be found in the front pocket of the guide.

For a copy of the 2nd edition of “A Family Guide to Dementia Care” which is available for $15.00 per copy (plus $3 if we ship) at the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa, please fill in the below order form and send with payment to our chapter at:

Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County
1750 Russell Road, Suite 1742, Ottawa, ON K1G 5Z6
Phone: 613-523-4004 - Fax: 613-523-8522 - Email: info@asorc.org

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Dementia Studies Programs at Algonquin College

Influencing standards for dementia training…

In 1989, the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa worked closely with Algonquin College to develop and teach the first 24-hour course – Working with Alzheimer Clients and their Families. The chapter provided partial funding for this course over the years until credit course status was obtained. In 1997, the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa then financed a feasibility study that identified the need for specialty training for staff at all levels working in both long term care facilities and in the community setting. In 1998, the two Dementia Studies Programs at Algonquin College became the first Ministry of Education and Training approved course of this kind in Canada.

The availability of these programs is the first step in addressing a regional, provincial, and national priority to standardize dementia training for staff at all levels both in the community and in long term care settings.

The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa will continue to work with its provincial organization to urge the Ministry of Health to allocate funding for these programs from the provincial Alzheimer Strategy Educational Initiative.

Overview of Dementia Care, the first course in the Dementia Studies Programs, is now available as a web-based course.

As of 2002, 14 other community colleges in Ontario now offer these programs.

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Alzheimer Day Away Program

Initiating the first respite program of its kind in Canada…The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa started the first ever Alzheimer Day Away Program in 1985 to provide social and recreational activities for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and to provide relief and support to caregivers. This program ensures positive experiences for all clients where possible in a caring and non-threatening environment. In 1986, we opened a satellite Alzheimer Day Away Program. These programs have served as models for the establishment of similar services throughout Ontario and Canada. In 1992, in keeping with our philosophy of being an initiator and not a provider of services, the Society divested the two Day Away Programs to the Victorian Order of Nurses.

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Changes to Power of Attorney Act

Affecting change in legislation for the benefit of those coping with dementia …

During 1982 – 83, our local Alzheimer chapter along with the new Provincial Society and a number of support groups continued work on the problems faced by those whose assets had been taken over by the Public Trustee.

In May 1982, the Government had set up a Committee to study “access to Legal Services”. Our chapter sought legal advice and started a new round of letter writing. A Provincial Committee polished our petition for the Provincial Legislature and had it approved by all the Alzheimer Society chapters. We were invited to present the petition in the Legislature and Attorney General Roy McMurtry assured us that changes would be made.

In December 1983, changes to the Mental Health and Powers of Attorney Acts were passed and on January 1, 1984, the revised Acts came into effect. This meant that “durable Powers of Attorney were now law. There was a grandfather clause to make current powers “durable” also. This effectively insured that just because a person was declared “incapable”, the Public Trustee did not take over control, as long as a capable other held his/her Power of Attorney.

Sources of Revenue

The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County takes great care to ensure that funds are used as directed, within a reasonable period of time, and invested with fiscal responsibility.

To provide funding for the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County’s vital programs and services, projects, and research, our chapter receives funds through special events, donations, bequests, memorial contributions, and government grants.. Our chapter has shifted its focus from special events to planned giving and major gifts so we can use our limited human and financial resources more efficiently.

Our chapter receives only a small percentage of all its revenues from government funding to support its programs.

Revenues 2008

Alzheimer Golf Tournament, hosted by the Hammond Golf & Country Club, has been held every August since 1987. The 2007 event raised $40,000. Upcoming fundraising events

Walk for Memories has been held during National Alzheimer Awareness Month every January since 1996. The 2008 event raised over $115,000. Collins Barrow Ottawa LLP, Chartered Accountants, and Scotiabank are the lead partners of this fundraiser. Upcoming fundraising events

Coffee Break™ is a national event which has been held since 1996 in September on World Alzheimer’s Day. Event hosts collect donations for every cup of coffee poured. The money raised within each community stays in that community to support local Alzheimer programs and services. Upcoming fundraising events

Healthpartners is is a partnership of 16 national health charities, including the Alzheimer Society of Canada, who raise funds for medical research and provide direct services to Canadians in their communities. Canadian federal government employees and retirees will have the opportunity to direct their gifts towards improving the health of Canadians by payroll deduction or cash donations through the GCWCC (Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign) managed by United Way/Centraide. Donors can direct their gifts to the general Healthpartners fund or designate it to a certain group. If you would like your contribution to go to the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County or the overall Alzheimer movement, please designate your wishes on the pledge form. Info: www.healthpartners.ca or the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County at 613-523-4004 or the Alzheimer Society of Canada at 1-800-616-8816. Upcoming fundraising events

Individuals and organizations make donations in a variety of ways. Examples include memorial donations, “in honour” of special occasions (e.g. wedding, special birthdays, retirement, etc.), general donations, and memberships. Corporate donations are often made to the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County through special events hosted by companies and charitable corporate employee matching programs. Ways to Help

Memorial Donations are made by friends and family of those who have passed away with Alzheimer's disease. Donations are made both directly to Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and through funeral homes. Ways to Help

General Donations are given to Alzheimer Society of Ottawa through various methods including third party fundraisers, corporate matching, and tribute gifts honouring a special event. Individuals can also donate securities, insurance policies, and annuities to the society. Ways to Help

Memberships to the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County members will receive a quarterly chapter newsletter; notices of meetings of special interest to Alzheimer families, health care professionals, and educators; and voting privileges at Annual General Meeting.” ? Members will receive the chapter’s newsletter Alzheimer lifeline; notices of meetings of special interest to families coping with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, health care professionals, and educators; and voting privileges at Annual General Meeting. Ways to Help

Bequests have provided the greatest income to support the work of the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County -- over $1 million dollars in the past 10 years. Due to the increasing number of individuals and family members coping with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, it is anticipated that bequests will continue to be significant over the coming years. For more information on tax benefits or your questions, please contact us at 613-523-4004 or info@asorc.org

The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care through the provincial Alzheimer Strategy funds two educational positions, Ottawa and Renfrew County.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is providing $85,000 funding to the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa over two years (2006 – 2008) to assist the Champlain Dementia Network in its efforts to improve access to caregiver support and ensure better co-ordination of service delivery to persons with dementia and their family members in Eastern Ontario.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, receives annually $100 million of government funding generated through Ontario’s charity casino initiative.

www.trilliumfoundation.org