An illustration of a group of people of various ages and ethnicities.

Welcome

Do you support someone experiencing changes in mood or behaviour related to dementia? You have come to the right place.

The Behaviours in Dementia Toolkit is an online library of over 300 free resources. The goal of the Toolkit is to help you better understand and compassionately respond to dementia-related changes in mood and behaviour.

Created by the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health (CCSMH), the Behaviours in Dementia Toolkit is designed to help care partners and health care providers support people with dementia to live well.

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A message from Elder Larry Frost

Within Indigenous communities, a person with dementia is cherished as a “loved one,” emphasizing the importance of compassion and respect. Recognizing the intrinsic value of each individual, especially those with dementia, we advocate for empathy and honour in caregiving. Anchored in a holistic understanding of health, the resources in this Toolkit delve into the interconnected facets of spiritual, emotional, physical, and social well-being. Through the channels of education, narrative sharing, and deep-rooted wisdom, we pave the way for compassionate care. Join us in this transformative journey.

Learn from Indigenous perspectives on dementia care with these resources.

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Trying to be a good sidekick on my friend’s dementia journey

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August 14, 2024
I recently saw in a newsletter on healthy aging that a survey by Stats Canada revealed that one in four Canadians over 15 years of age is a caregiver. It’s funny. There are times when I feel I’m out in the wilderness by myself.
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Take good care: Brain health for caregivers

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July 23, 2024
According to the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, one in four Canadians currently identifies as a caregiver, but the true number is likely much greater than we know. The late First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn Carter, Founder of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers in Georgia, said, “There are only four kinds of…
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Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and dementia related behaviours

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June 19, 2024
Canada’s national dementia strategy, released in 2019, recognizes that people with an intellectual disability are at a higher risk of developing dementia and face many barriers to equitable access to supports and services related to dementia. Research shows that adults with Down syndrome have a much higher risk of young onset Alzheimer disease and rapid…
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Find art, laughter, and connection at a memory café

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May 15, 2024
I started three Memory Cafés in Victoria because about one in three older adults report loneliness and social isolation, and we know those numbers are higher among people living with dementia and their care partners.  I am trying to reduce the stigma of dementia which decreases quality of life and well-being for many older adults…
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Five Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) resources for managing personal expressions

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April 24, 2024
My name is Prachi Gandhi. I am a Community Support Worker with Behavioural Supports Ontario. I work for older adults living with dementia, cognitive impairment, mental illness, substance use, and/or other neurocognitive disorders. In my role, I collaborate with families and staff serving older adults with such challenges to manage any personal expressions and support…
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