I am a Care Partner
A care partner can refer to a spouse, family member, health or community professional supporting and caring for a person living with dementia.
Summary of what a Care Partner is:
A care partner can be any person helping support someone living with dementia. They are all in partnership with the person living with dementia.
Care partners who are well informed can help make life better for both themselves, and the person living with dementia. This site/platform uses the term care partner throughout.
Education
My Tools 4 Care
My Tools 4 Care was developed to help you as a care partner as you care for a person living with dementia in the community.
Live Events and Meetings
Safeguarding Seniors: Recognizing & Preventing Financial Fraud
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Navigating Homecare and Alberta’s Updated Continuing Care Act
A Comprehensive Look at the Relationship Between Alcohol and Prescription Medication Misuse and Dementia
Exploring Nutrition Care: How Dietitians Can Support You on Your Journey Through Alzheimer's Disease Presented by Kristin Hruschak
Sexual Expressions - Learning New Ways to Cope Presented by Natalie Wilton
Practical Strategies for Understanding Sexual Expressions Presented by Natalie Wilton
Ask Us Anything Home Care Panel Presentation!
Exploring Nutrition Care Along the Journey Through Alzheimer's Disease Presented by Kristen Hruschak
Alberta Health Advocates and how they can work for you! Presented by Ryan Bielby
Health Link Dementia Advice Line Program
Lewy Body Disease in Aging and Dementia
The Music Advantage: Improve Mood, Memory and Motivation
Being prepared for the hospital - emergency to inpatient
Yoga for Aging Well
Optimizing Supportive End-of-Life Care for Frail Older Adults Living with Dementia in Long-Term-Care
Rest Easy: Sleeping, remembering, and aging well
"Ask Us Anything!" Presentation with Stephanie Dziedzic and Jeannine Chemello
Indigenous Ways of Knowing about Dementia - Some lessons from the Gitxsan Perspective
Music and Wellness: how to use music effectively in caregiving and in self-care
Creating Safer Spaces: Gender Diversity in Long-Term Care Homes
Home Care & the Continuing Care System: How Does it Work?
Alzheimer's Disease is a life-limiting illness with a terminal phase
"Ask Us Anything!" Presentation with Dr. Bill Gibson & Arlene Huhn
Supporting 2SLGBTQI+ Seniors with Dementia/Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Canadian Context
Emergency Preparedness with the Hon. Lisa Raitt
Minds in Motion® - Activities for the home!
Creating a Life Story
Understanding Dementia - Tips and Techniques
Demystifying Neuropsychology presented by Dr. Robert Frerichs
Dementia, Depression, Diabetes, a 3D Presentation presented by Dr. Leon Kagan
Demystifying Neuropsychology presented by Dr. Robert Frerichs
Unraveling Capacity Assessment presented by Dr. Jasneet Parmar
How do you evaluate information about dementia research that you find on the web? Presented by Dr. David Hogan
The Art and Science of Mindful Aging presented by Dr. Thamarai Moorthy
Adopt Routines for Better Brain Health
Watching and Listening - Finding Enjoyable Ways to Spend Time Together
Maintaining the Connection - Successful and Meaningful Visits with Individuals Living with Dementia
New Considerations in the Care of People Living with Dementia
Constructing Family Biographies When Living with Dementia
Feelings of Needs and Expressions
Self-Care During the Holidays
Bladder Health for People Living with Dementia
Restoring Trust: COVID-19 and the Future of Long Term Care and your Impact Evaluation Report
Life During a Pandemic: Promoting Well-Being for Everyone
Strategies for Effective Communication in Supporting Individuals Living with Dementia
Exercise and Brain Health: It's never too late!
The Importance of Planning Ahead
Online Sing-Along of the Classic's with Sara Brooks
The Importance of Oral Hygiene for People Living with Dementia
Creating a Meaningful Life: Recreation for people with dementia
The Importance of Music for People Living with Dementia and Care Partners
Taking Care of You: Anticipatory Grief, Ambiguous Grief, and the Importance of Self-Care
The Serious Effects of Loneliness on Seniors: Mental & Physical Consequences
Understanding Dementia and the Different Stages
Common Issues Care Partners Experience
Late Stage: Growing Seeds of Hope Session 1
Late Stage: Taking Care of You, Grief and Self Care Session 5
Late Stage: Maintaining the Connection Session 4
Baycrest: Brain Health Food Guide!
Canadian Brain Health Food Guide from Baycrest Health Sciences
Late Stage: Preparing for Changes Ahead Session 3
Late Stage: Working with Care Providers Session 2
What Matters Most!
Depression and Care Partner Burnout
Solving Alzheimer's disease: A search for the Holy Grail!
Early Stage: Planning Ahead Session 4
Roger Marple Live Meeting
Early Stage: Understanding Dementia Session 3
Early Stage: You as a Care Partner Session 2
Be Ready for an Emergency Department Visit
Early Stage: Exploring the Experience of Dementia Session 1
Anne Baltimore Story
End Of Life: Getting the Paperwork in Order Session 4
End Of Life: Saying Good-Bye Session 3
End Of Life: End of Life Care Session 2
Bringing out the best, living well together with dementia - The UK Butterfly Approach
End Of Life: Ethical Choices Session 1
I'm Still Here Public Forum
Middle Stage: Living with Change Session 5
Middle Stage: Living with Change Session 4
Middle Stage: Living with Change Session 3
Middle Stage: Living with Change Session 2
Middle Stage: Living with Change Session 1
Mind over Matter - Keeping Control over Bladder and Bowel Incontinence
My Tools for Care - Intervention Study
Being Together in Dementia Care
Resources
What is Involuntary Separation?
The term “Involuntary Separation” does not mean getting a legal separation or divorce. This means that the spouses are considered single only for the purpose of calculating their OAS and GIS benefits.
“Involuntary Separation” refers to a situation in which senior couples must live apart due to circumstances beyond their control, often because one or both need long-term care. This separation can place a financial strain on the couple, especially if their income is limited to public pensions like Old Age Security (OAS), Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), and Canada Pension Plan (CPP).
Couples can apply for “Involuntary Separation” status under the Old Age Security Act to alleviate this. This allows each spouse to be treated as single for OAS and GIS calculations, potentially increasing their benefits. This status is granted when the separation is involuntary, such as when one or both spouses must move to a long-term care facility.
For more details, you can contact Service Canada or visit Your Complete Guide to Canada's Old Age Security Program.
To qualify for “Involuntary Separation” status under the Old Age Security (OAS) Act in Canada, the following criteria must be met:
Physical Separation - You and your spouse must be living apart, no longer under the same roof.
Involuntary Nature - The separation must be due to circumstances beyond your control, such as health issues requiring one or both spouses to move to a long-term care facility.
Age Requirement - At least one spouse must be 65 years or older and receiving OAS.
Marital Status - You must be legally married or in a common-law partnership.
If these conditions are met, you can apply to have each spouse treated as single to calculate OAS and GIS benefits, potentially increasing the financial support you receive.
To apply for “Involuntary Separation” status in Canada, follow these steps:
Fill out the form with accurate information about your situation. Ensure you provide all required details to demonstrate that the separation is involuntary due to circumstances beyond your control.
You can submit the completed forms to Service Canada by mail, phone, in person, or online.
For further guidance, visit Service Canada or speak with a representative at 1-800-277-9914.
What educational materials and emotional support are available?
The Alzheimer Society in your community can provide educational resources to help you learn more about the disease, referrals to help you access the practical support you need, and one-on-one and group support to help you cope with the emotional impact of the disease. Contact your local Alzheimer Society. Alternatively, try typing your question into the search bar above.
Is there anyone or anything that can give me a break in caregiving?
Ask family members and friends for their help and support. Take advantage of community programs that provide respite and relief from caregiving, practical help with meals or housework and assistance with the care of the person with Alzheimer's disease. And plan ahead for both the immediate future and the long term. These are just some of the things care partners can do to make their lives a bit easier.
Contact your local Alzheimer Society for help connecting to services such as support groups, counseling and information resources. Use the search bar above to find a Community Care Access office of Alberta Health Services close to you. They can provide information about publicly funded respite options.