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OPPORTUNITIES DEMENTIA VENTURES Would you like to help the Hub achieve its goals of creating a more inclusive community and increasing social citizenship of people living with dementia? Then please consider helping plan, implement and sustain meaningful activities. ​ Here are some opportunities for community members to become involved in Dementia Ventures. Please contact the Partner Organization directly or send a message to the Hub for details. Postings will remain here until a Partner notifies the webmaster that a position is no longer available. ​ KITSILANO NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE ​ Kits House has launched a dementia awareness initiative. There are opportunities to join focus groups that will guide program development. There is a dementia buddies program with training to communicate and help people experiencing dementia live well in the community. Other awareness activities and conversations are planned to make our community more dementia friendly ​ Click here to find out more. WESTSIDE SENIORS HUB COUNCIL ​ The Hub Council is recruiting volunteers to join us and ensure that Westside neighbourhoods are places where seniors can thrive. We work collaboratively with Hub Partners on projects such as Dementia Ventures . For more information, please click here . SOUTH GRANVILLE SENIOR CENTRE Enabling Connections...A Tablet Lending Library South Granville Seniors Centre & Many Partners ​ “The four elements of the Enabling Connections program are: a tablet lending library, digital literacy mentoring, a virtual senior’s centre, and knowledge sharing with other organizations. The Enabling Connections project is focused on creating connections between individuals and creating a sense of community and mutual support, peer to peer.” Project launched May 6, 2021. Information here FAQ here The Seniors Centre offers a monthly Happy Memories Café that is a safe place to share your experiences, participate in discussions and build lasting friendships. Click here for information. FIREWEED CLUB Dunbar Residents Association & Kitsilano Neighbourhood House The Fireweed Club is a collaborative project bringing a variety of free outdoor activities to seniors on the westside. These activities are open to any seniors who want to stay active, socialize and build relationships. People living with memory loss or other invisible challenges are welcome to come by themselves or to bring their friends and care partners. The Club seeks participants, program leaders and volunteers all year. More information here .

HUB AÎNÉS WESTSIDE ACTION COLLECTIVE PAR ET POUR LES AÎNÉS The Westside Seniors Hub is an initiative that brings together local seniors and seniors-serving organizations to ensure Westside communities are places where seniors can thrive. It serves to provide an informational ‘hub’ that enhances awareness of local programs and services. It provides leadership in identifying gaps in service delivery and generates community support for seniors’ issues. LATEST NEWS DUNBAR SENIORS' CAFE St. Philip's Anglican Church Join us at the Dunbar Seniors' Cafe for lively conversations and friendship. Hostesses Janet Brown, Sheryl Mackay, and Judy Poliquin provide. October 15th from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Read More GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR TENANT COMPLAINS IN BC HOUSING BC Housing BC Housing has introduced new guiding principles to improve tenant experiences and complaint resolution among non-profit housing providers. These principles provide insights into tenant feedback and highlight areas for service enhancement. Read More VANCOUVER'S SENIORS HOUSING INITIATIVE City of Vancouver - Shape your City The City of Vancouver is launching the Social Housing Initiative to address affordable housing needs by modifying zoning regulations for mixed-income social, supportive, and cooperative housing without requiring rezoning. Read More FORGOTTEN RIGHTS - SENIORS NOT AFFORDED EQUAL RENT PROTECTION Office of the Seniors Advocate British Columbia “Approximately 30,000 seniors live in independent living units throughout B.C., and they should be afforded the same protections as other renters …". Read More CURRENT PROJECTS HUB AÎNÉS WESTSIDE ACTION COLLECTIVE PAR ET POUR LES AÎNÉS Le Westside Seniors Hub est une initiative qui rassemble des aînés locaux et des organisations au service des aînés pour faire en sorte que les collectivités de Westside soient des endroits où les aînés peuvent s'épanouir. Il sert à fournir un «centre» d'information qui améliore la sensibilisation aux programmes et services locaux. Il fournit un leadership dans l'identification des lacunes dans la prestation de services et génère un soutien communautaire pour les problèmes des aînés. Read more FOOD SECURITY Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Related to poverty as food is the first expense to be cut out when one is struggling financially. Disproportionally impacts vulnerable and marginalized individuals ​ How is the Westside Seniors Hub involved with the Westside Food Collaborative? Read more GRANT OPPORTUNITIES Welcome to our Grant Opportunities section for senior organizations! Here, you'll find essential information about grants to support programs and services for seniors. Explore these opportunities to empower organization and make a positive impact in the community! VCH’s One-Time-Only Health Promotion and Capacity Building Project Grants (OTO) are for projects that are one-time-only in nature and intent, and that lead to greater equity in wellness by building on a community’s social, environmental, cultural, and economic foundations. Read more Funding for not-for-profit organizations, registered charities, and Indigenous partners. Funds help to plan, undertake and share research related to affordable housing in Canada. tage 1 applications must be submitted by September 27, 2024, at 2 p.m. ​ Read more The goal of the PlanH Program is to support Indigenous and local governments, including health authorities, to advance policies, and strategies aimed at improving health equity, and well-being. Read more

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JOIN THE HUB There are many ways to become involved in the Hub. We are always looking for new members. Devenez partenaire : Si vous êtes une organisation publique, à but non lucratif ou confessionnelle au service des aînés de Vancouver, nous aimerions collaborer avec vous! Rejoignez le Hub Council : Apprenez-en davantage sur notre Westside Seniors Hub Council, composé de personnes âgées bénévoles ou de personnes travaillant avec des personnes âgées. Nous recrutons continuellement de nouveaux membres. Rejoignez un comité : Les comités centraux sont des groupes axés sur des problèmes et axés sur l'action, composés de représentants du Conseil, d'organisations partenaires et de la communauté. De 2015 à 2019, nous avons eu 3 comités actifs travaillant sur divers projets : santé et bien-être; accès & mobilité et communications. Compte tenu de l'approche holistique de notre projet actuel, Dementia Ventures, les membres du comité travaillent maintenant ensemble pour résoudre les problèmes en collaboration. Hub Committees are issue-based, action-oriented groups made up of representatives from the Council, Partner Organizations, and community. From 2015-2019 we had 3 active committees working on various projects : health & wellness; access & mobility and communications. Given the holistic approach of our current project, Dementia Ventures, committee members are now working together to address issues collaboratively. Devenir un partenaire Partenaires actuels Learn about the Hub Council Contact us to join the Hub Learn about Hub Committees Opportunities to get involved

NEWS WSH INFORMATION BOARD Vancouver's social housing initiative City of Vancouver - Shape your City The City of Vancouver is implementing the Social Housing Initiative as part of its long-term land-use strategy, the Vancouver Plan. This initiative focuses on addressing the need for affordable housing by modifying zoning regulations to enable the construction of mixed-income social, supportive, and cooperative housing without requiring rezoning across various neighbourhoods. ​ Non-profit and government organizations will be allowed to build social housing buildings that can range from 6 to 18 storeys, depending on the neighbourhood type. The initiative emphasizes development in areas close to transit and commercial centers. Additionally, new projects may include local retail and childcare services alongside social housing. Read More Keep Updated! DUNBAR SENIORS' CAFE St. Philip's Anglican Church Join us at the Dunbar Seniors' Cafe for lively conversations and friendship. Hostesses Janet Brown, Sheryl Mackay, and Judy Poliquin provide. October 15th from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Read More Guiding Principles for Tenant Complains in BC Housing BC Housing BC Housing has introduced new guiding principles to improve tenant experiences and complaint resolution among non-profit housing providers. These principles provide insights into tenant feedback and highlight areas for service enhancement. Read More Patient Partner, Safer Suicide Care Initiative – Northern Health Northern Health is looking for individuals with lived experience to provide insights on improving care for those facing suicidal thoughts or crises. This short-term, virtual opportunity is open to participants across BC, with a focus on the Northern Region. Apply by October 25, 2024. Read More Forgotten rights - seniors not afforded equal rent protection Office of the Seniors Advocate British Columbia “Approximately 30,000 seniors live in independent living units throughout B.C., and they should be afforded the same protections as other renters…". Read More Reporting Fraud and Cybercrime If you've been a victim of a scam, fraud, or cybercrime, it's crucial to report it to your local police immediately. Additionally, whether you're a victim or not, it’s recommended to report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), which helps law enforcement by maintaining a central database for investigations. Read More All Candidates Meeting About Seniors Housing Issues Join the 411 Seniors Centre Society for an all-candidates meeting focused on seniors housing issues. This event will take place on Friday, September 27, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM, providing an opportunity to hear from candidates on how they plan to address the housing challenges facing seniors. Read More Housing Toolkit Jewish Family Services “This toolkit is a guide to help you better understand subsidized housing system in Lower Mainland and familiarize you with other options that may be available through the community resources…a step-by-step guide to help you search for independent housing and navigate the housing system independently. Read More Carnegie Housing Project: Urgent Action Needed in Downtown Eastside A new report warns that Vancouver’s houseless population could grow from 3,150 to 4,700 by 2030 without government action. It offers 9 key recommendations, including more shelter beds, modular housing, a tiny home village, and improved access to essential services. Read More Previous Posts Nidus.ca NIDUS PERSONAL PLANNING RESOURCE CENTRE AND REGISTRY Nidus is a non-profit that offers a variety of online presentations (webinars), information and documents about legal planning under BC legislation. These cover documents for while you are alive and for after death – e.g.Advance Directives, Disability Trusts, Representation Agreements, Enduring Powers of Attorney, Wills. It explains how to use the Nidus Registry service as a document repository.There are a variety of services offered as funding allows. ​ 2024 Monthly webinar series here ASK Friendship Society BUS RENTALS “9 or 18 passenger buses with experienced driver for 4 – 7 hour rental options. Senior-focused service that is wheelchair accessible, low-step entry, grab rails, 3-point seatbelts but accommodates all ages, children to adults. See website here for full details, pricing and photos. ​ ​ Contact to book: 604-263-7333 or caring@askcentre.ca ​ Office of the Seniors Advocate BC EVERY VOICE COUNTS “Long-Term Care Resident and Visitor Survey Results 2023…that covered 297 publicly subsidized care facilities in B.C. and received responses from over 10,000 residents and almost 8,000 family members and close friends…Survey results show there has been little improvement in areas such as frequency of bathing, help at mealtimes, meaningful activities, engagement with staff and other residents, and the overall ratings of quality remain relatively unchanged. Despite these shortcomings, residents continue to give high marks to long-term care home staff for their skill, compassion and ability to treat residents with respect.” ​ Highlights and links to the full report, presentation slides, videos, and more here United Way BC & Coalition of BC Non-Profit Community-based Seniors Organizations AGING IN UNCERTAINTY “Report…spotlights the critical issue of seniors struggling to secure affordable housing in the face of soaring living costs, stagnant government retirement incomes, and a shortage of affordable housing…BC's seniors experience an alarmingly high rate of financial hardship, with 15.2% of seniors considered low income. Shockingly, in 2020, one in four seniors in BC had after-tax incomes below $21,800—almost $10,000 below the minimum wage.” ​ Find the Report here Intersectoral collaboration project anchored by the Canadian Red Cross CANADIAN INSTITUTEFOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING (CISP) “CISP is a new national hub to link people and share practices that connect people to community-based supports and services that can help improve their health and well-being… part of a global movement of people bringing community capacity and healthcare services closer together by directly addressing the social determinants of health, from loneliness and social isolation to racism and ageism to income and housing and much more.” Newsletter, events, reports, resources, etc. ​ Website resources here Family Caregivers of BC and Nidus BC LEGAL RESOURCESFOR CAREGIVERS Estate planning takes care of your assets when you die - a Will and Enduring Power of Attorney, but they do not cover health or personal care. “If you do not want government (Public Guardian and Trustee of BC) to be involved in your personal and private affairs, you will want to make arrangements in case you need help managing your affairs due to illness, injury, or disability while you are still alive. “Choose those you trust to advocate for you and carry out your wishes, if you need help speaking up for yourself” and prepare a Representation Agreement (RA) and Advance Directive (AD). ​ Read more about RA and AD here and here

STAFF EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES TRANSFORMING LOCAL CARE & SUPPORTS TO BUILD AND SUSTAIN WELLBEING Connecting People, Community Living Well & United Way BC “Webinar featuring…an initiative that enhances the ability of multi-sector community teams to support the wellbeing of those living in the community…model builds sustainable ways for communities to support wellbeing.” June 2023 recording here THE UNFORGOTTEN BUILD & Canadian Medical Association “A five-part film exploring the health and well-being of Indigenous peoples living in Canada…(life stages Birth through Elderhood )…Sharing the experiences of Inuit, Métis and First Nations peoples at various stages of life, this film was created to raise awareness, incite reflection and spark conversations about how to make meaningful change happen in health care." Click here ​ PATHWAYS: BC COMMUNITY SERVICE DIRECTORY PathwaysBC “Publicly available services and programs, in participating communities.” The Directory is a joint initiative between Doctors of BC’s General Practitioner Services Committee and the BC government with a support team that provides the technical infrastructure. It is free, searchable by the public and has many filter options to narrow down keyword searches. Search here Organizations can apply to list their services in categories such as,.Navigation Support:Seniors Services ; Health & Fitness: Seniors ; Caregiver Support Groups; Seniors Centre:Seniors Activities; Loneliness/Social Isolation; Outings/Day Trips etc More information about access to Pathways here FROME'S COMPASSION PROJECT UK Men’s Shed & Health Connections Mendip-UK “Compassionate communities help to reduce isolation and loneliness and bring a sense of belonging. Social relationships are the most effective intervention for improving health and longevity. Frome’s care combines a compassionate programme of community development with routine medical care…three key elements : making the most of the supportive networks of family, friends and neighbours…building networks of support for the routine matters of life…linking to community activity , such as choir, walking groups, men’s sheds, talking cafes and other interest groups where people can make friendships and share life’s events.” This event has passed. Health Connections Mendip website here Frome Shed website here MOBILIZING TO PROMOTE HEALTH & WELL-BEING FOR OLDER ADULTS CORE Healthy Aging Canada “Launching a series of monthly 90-minute webinars… to mobilize action on various issues by focusing on effective models and the policies, practices, partnerships, and networks that support them. Through interviews and discussions with practitioners, researchers, and policy-makers, each session will explore a topic and the key issues and challenges.” Q&A + opportunity to join a discussion group . ​ January 26, 2023: Housing and Living Arrangement Options for Older Adults: At Home. In Community Recording here September 29, 2022 : Re-orienting Health and Social Services for Older Adults: Provincial Strategies for Community-Based Seniors Services Webinar recording here October 27, 2022 : Age-friendly Communities: A Key Strategy in Promoting the Well-Being of Older Adults Webinar Video here SENIORS OUTDOOR ACTIVATION TOOLKIT 8-80 Cities and Woodgreen Community Services, Toronto “… tells the story of over 100 seniors who saw the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to flip the standard for seniors programming in parks and public spaces .” Benefits, making the case, evaluation, recommendations. Report here CANADIAN INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL PRESCRIBING (CISP) Intersectoral collaboration project anchored by the Canadian Red Cross “CISP is a new national hub to link people and share practices that connect people to community-based supports and services that can help improve their health and well-being… part of a global movement of people bringing community capacity and healthcare services closer together by directly addressing the social determinants of health , from loneliness and social isolation to racism and ageism to income and housing and much more.” Newsletter, events, reports, resources, etc. Website here ​ INTERGEN-NS North Shore Community Resources Intergenerational Program Directory and Resource Hub that “helps connect different generations on the North Shore while providing resources to help community partners establish intergenerational programming … These projects have been launched in order to actively facilitate a North Shore community that is connected, inclusive, and age-friendly.” Information here FLIPPING STIGMA ON ITS EAR TOOLKIT “The discrimination caused by stigma that accompanies a diagnosis of dementia needs to be ‘flipped on its ear’! The purpose of this toolkit is to recognize and respond to this stigma and discrimination . It has been designed by people with dementia to help others – including other people living with dementia, the people who support them, and those who do research – to address the challenges of stigma and discrimination.” Video clips demonstrate interactions and stimulate discussions. Explore the website and sign up for a newsletter here Aging Well Education - Ongoing Dementia Education & Opportunities CIRCLE OF CARE FOR CAREGIVERS TRAINING Family Caregivers of British Columbia For staff and volunteers , training aims to “strengthen and develop informal networks of support for family caregivers in B C..by increasing the community’s capacity to identify caregivers at risk of isolation and intervening effectively by mobilizing informal supports …After completing the three sessions, participants will receive a detailed digital training manual from FCBC. ” ​ Dates: January 23, 24 and 25, 2023 10am-12pm PST Register by January 12, 2023 (20 spots available) . More information and registration here STORIES FOR CAREGIVERS A series of 2-minute videos “‘Therapeutic Fibbing’ is a 4-part heart-opening dramatic comedy web series featuring an everyday Canadian family utilizing — with varying levels of success -- a form of compassionate lying to navigate communications with a loved one living with dementia.” YouTube here Facebook here RECENT ADDITIONS UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS AMONG OLDER CANADIANS AND HOW TO ADDRESS IT National Institute on Ageing “Social isolation and loneliness are increasingly recognized as important public health concerns. Globally, as well as in Canada, these issues have significant implications for the health and well-being of older persons .” This is one of many reports and other resources (news, National Seniors Strategy) of concern to seniors, some offered in many languages . Explore here BUILDING DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES ONLINE COURSE Alzheimer Societies of Canada “The Building dementia-friendly communities course…a self-paced 75 minute online, interactive course in four modules …is currently available in English and French…designed for professionals working in the recreation, library, retail, restaurant and public transportation sectors…knowledge and skills needed to increase support, inclusion and accessibility (both in the social and physical environments) for people living with dementia.” Information here Register here PROGRAM PLANNING FOR GRANT WRITING United Way of British Columbia “Effective grant seeking…involves strategic prospect research, detailed project planning, and articulating a compelling case, all while employing efficient tools, processes, and systems.” This online interactive session includes: • creating compelling project rationales/needs descriptions; • exploring planning methodologies, including Theory of Change and Logic Models; • incorporating measurable outcomes. Recording here Slides here ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS IN INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS National Collaborating Centre for Indigenous Health “This report summarizes what is known about the knowledge, needs, and gaps of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and healthcare practitioners working in Indigenous communities related to dementias…It provides a review of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis understandings of dementias, their perceptions of healthy aging, and their preferences for care …an overview of the barriers and facilitators of knowledge translation and exchange about dementia care and management…” Explore the report here PROMISING MODELS OF SENIORS' TRANSPORTATION United Way British Columbia & SFU Cities, Health, and Active Transportation Research Lab “This report provides the findings from case studies…to profile promising models of seniors’ transportation and to learn what facilitates or impedes the success of these services. We used extensive selection criteria to select six services that covered a diverse set of models and geographic contexts.” Read the report here LIVING MY CULTURE Canadian Virtual Hospice “Quality palliative care helps you honour your culture, spirituality and traditions…people from various cultures share their stories and wisdom about living with serious illness, end of life and grief to support others.” Indigenous cultural safety training : Advanced illness, palliative care and grief and “Coming full circle: Planning for your care a booklet to ensure Indigenous Peoples’ choices for their future healthcare are known and respected.” Also videos and insights from representatives of eight global cultures. Information here HEALTHY AGING CORE CANADA United Way BC & Employment & Social Development Canada “Healthy Aging CORE (Collaborative Online Resources and Education) is a platform to c onnect local, regional, provincial and national non-profit, government, and academic organizations and coalitions that focus on programs, services, policies, practices, and research aimed at supporting older Canadians to age in place in their homes and communities….All content on CORE is vetted …CORE is designed to connect and coordinate with other relevant networks, and not duplicate.” Features: Resources…Training & Events…Groups & Activity….Programs & Initiatives…Funding Opportunities ​ Join email list here AGING AND THRIVING IN THE 21ST CENTURY Institute for Community Prosperity, Mount Royal University, Calgary “…a scan of issues, trends, system dynamics and innovations…guided by the question: What factors are preventing older Canadians from flourishing, and how might we transform systems to maximize the choice, dignity, mobility, security, and trust accompanying an aging population transitioning into less autonomous living circumstances?" Report authored by James Stauch here FROME'S COMPASSION PROJECT UK Men’s Shed & Health Connections Mendip-UK “Compassionate communities help to reduce isolation and loneliness and bring a sense of belonging. Social relationships are the most effective intervention for improving health and longevity. Frome’s care combines a compassionate programme of community development with routine medical care…three key elements : making the most of the supportive networks of family, friends and neighbours…building networks of support for the routine matters of life…linking to community activity , such as choir, walking groups, men’s sheds, talking cafes and other interest groups where people can make friendships and share life’s events.” This event has passed. Health Connections Mendip website here Frome Shed website here ARCHIVED TRAINING WEBINARS Healthy Aging CORE Canada “CORE regularly hosts training events on relevant program and organizational development topics. These sessions are recorded and archived on CORE..and this compendium provides a listing of categories and links so that you can access them at your convenience.” Available here THE FUTURE OF AGING IN PLACE IN CANADA University Health Network Open Lab, Toronto " Through participatory design with seniors and inspiring demonstration projects, Vertical Aging pushes us to imagine and create possibilities beyond the current crop of institutional options . . these projects challenge conventional thinking about aging in contemporary urban society " Webinar recording here SOCIAL NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS CAN'T BE MET BY TECHNOLOGY ALONE CTV article; research by Dr. Yue Qian, UBC Sociology “…virtual interaction, like phone calls, video calls and texting during pandemic lockdowns were not helpful on their own as an alternative to face-to-face time for people over 60. ‘Our findings demonstrate that face-to-face household contact is crucial to sustaining older adults’ mental wellbeing,” Qian said.’” ​ CTV article here Frontiers in Sociology Article here METRO VANCOUVER HOMESHARE Canada HomeShare “The goal of HomeShare is to foster intergenerational relationships , support aging in place for older adults while simultaneously addressing the affordable rental crisis faced by students…a facilitated model of shared housing to Metro Vancouver… for older adults who would like to share their home with a student for the coming school year …up to seven hours per week of assistance around the home and/or companionship… Canada HomeShare Social Workers create matches that meet both the needs of the home provider and student using a framework designed and developed by the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly.” Paused in 2022, but restarting in 2023. Sign up here for notification ENABLING CONNECTIONS - A TABLET LENDING LIBRARY South Granville Seniors Centre & Partners “The four elements of the Enabling Connections program are: a tablet lending library , digital literacy mentoring , a virtual senior’s centre , and knowledge sharing with other organizations . The Enabling Connections project is focused on creating connections between individuals and creating a sense of community and mutual support, peer to peer.” Information here CLOSING THE GAPS: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FOR OLDER ADULTS Canadian Red Cross; National Institute on Ageing “This is a recent report…that includes 29 Evidence-Informed Expert Recommendations to Improve Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery for Older Adults Across Canada…directed at Community-Based Services and Programs…Webinar features Dr. Samir Sinha, lead author of the report.” Report here FROME'S COMPASSION PROJECT UK Men’s Shed & Health Connections Mendip-UK “Compassionate communities help to reduce isolation and loneliness and bring a sense of belonging. Social relationships are the most effective intervention for improving health and longevity. Frome’s care combines a compassionate programme of community development with routine medical care…three key elements : making the most of the supportive networks of family, friends and neighbours…building networks of support for the routine matters of life…linking to community activity , such as choir, walking groups, men’s sheds, talking cafes and other interest groups where people can make friendships and share life’s events.” This event has passed. Health Connections Mendip website here Frome Shed website here COMMUNITY COUNSELLING SERVICES IN BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, Community Action Initiative “An extension of government funding to 49 local community counselling agencies provides access to low- and no-cost counselling services. Community counselling provides flexibility for counsellors to meet clients through outreach, in-person counselling or through virtual supports. In some community agencies, counsellors connect people to other services and supports.” Counselling services offered within BC’s Health Authorities here Aging well education material Back to Top AGING WELL EDUCATION - ONGOING These are virtual educational resources for the seniors'-serving sector that can be joined or viewed on an ongoing basis. COVID-19 AND THE DIGITAL DIVIDE (Centre for Ageing Better, UK) Key findings from research involving i) > 250 seniors’-serving organizations about their service delivery efforts and ii) 50-70 year olds with incomes less than $42k about their use of the Internet and digital devices. Identifies and shares good practices for supporting digital inclusion and skill development during the pandemic and beyond. Describes how supports improved seniors’ knowledge and understanding of digital skills. July 2021 report here COMMUNITY DEMENTIA CARE AND SUPPORT (Healthcare Excellence Canada) Webinar series: "Innovations that are supporting people living with dementia and care partners, closer to home…what’s working and what isn’t…help innovators figure out how they can spread and scale their innovation so more people living with dementia, and care partners can benefit.” Past webinars and newsletter registration for upcoming related learning opportunities here AGING YOUR WAY: CREATING AN AGE-INCLUSIVE CANADA (CanAge; Toronto Public Library) A series of upcoming free webinars plus recordings & key learnings from other 2021 webinars. Information here GLUU TECHNOLOGY TUESDAYS (GLUU Society; Government of Canada) The Canadian nonprofit on a mission to help older adults use technology to stay happy, healthy & connected. We make digital skills stick…offer free digital skills training for all Canadian seniors about Apple and Android mobile devices. Information here Register for Technology Tuesdays here (Recordings available if registered) DIALOGUE ON AGING SERIES WEBINARS (Providence Health Care) Recordings of 2020-2021series of monthly presentations about self-care for positive mental health, mindfulness, brain health, sleep health, physical activity, technologies, socialization, creativity & living well with dementia, COVID-19 and dementia strategies and support, etc. Typically 2-hour presentation including discussion. Recordings here CAREGIVERS OUT LOUD: A PODCAST (Family Caregivers of BC) “A series of conversations with caregivers that highlight the joys, trials, and self-discoveries that come along with this rewarding and taxing position... have support and balance through the stories of inspiring caregivers.” Information here BRAIN WELLNESS PROGRAMS (UBC Brain Wellness Centre) Wide range of topics and their effects on brain health: music, nutrition, sleep, mood, improv theatre, practical tips, mindfulness, role as care partner etc. Information here Subscribe to newsletter here WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO AGE IN PLACE? (Hon. Joyce Murray, MP Quadra Brunch Connections) Guest speaker Ms. Isobel Mackenzie, BC’s Seniors’ Advocate, discusses “how to plan successfully to age in place, and how to help others – spouse, parent, family member, or friend – do the same… communities, business, the charitable sector, and various levels of government must collaborate to ensure today’s Canadians can age-in-place safely, as long as they wish...challenges and solutions. ” Recording here NO PLACE LIKE HOME(SHARE): INSIGHTS FROM AN INTERGENERATIONAL HOMESHARING PROGRAM IN TORONTO “Toronto HomeShare Pilot Project that matched 11 over-housed older adults 55+ (overhoused with respect to physical home space, social needs or supports with activities of daily living), with post-secondary student homeseekers who were experiencing difficulty securing safe and affordable housing… ‘facilitated’ by social workers and housing experts…now fully funded as a program by the City of Toronto…expanded to the City of Barrie.” Webinar recording here RAINBOW STEPS TO LGBT2SQ SENIORS “This webinar discusses aging in the LGBT2SQ communities and how service providers can deliver more inclusive and supportive programming…. practical ways to provide sensitive, competent and inclusive community programming and services for LGBT2SQ individuals.” Webinar recording here ADDRESSING STIGMA: AGING AND OLDER ADULTS (UWLM CORE Healthy Aging) 55min. An overview of stigma as outlined in the Public Health Agency of Canada's (2019 report) 'Stigma Action Framework for Building an Inclusive Health System' Recording here 2019 Summary video (Voices for Inclusion 4min) here HEALING IN PANDEMIC TIMES (Northern Health, Indigenous Health, NCCIH) An animated video reviews key terms such as stigmatization, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination in an easily understandable way (4:32 min). Related publications include Thinking About Cultural Safety; Practical tips: Engaging People During COVID-19 ; Cultural Safety: Respect & Dignity in Relationships; Cultural Safety: Poster Series. Video and information available here PROMISING APPROACHES REVISITED: EFFECTIVE ACTION ON LONELINESS IN LATER LIFE In the United Kingdom,“the Campaign to End Loneliness believes that nobody who wants company should be without it…We do this by creating spaces for collaboration and support to the sector and by…building evidence, convening and supporting the loneliness community , making the case for action, public campaigning, campaigning locally.” Information here FUNDRAISING TRENDS OF 2021 THAT MAY INFLUENCE YOUR STRATEGY AND PREPARE YOUR ORGANIZATION FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR (Charity Village) Webinar (Feb 2, 2021) and information here SENIORS' TRANSPORTATION WEBINAR (UWLM CORE Healthy Aging) Learn more about the new Provincial Working Group on Seniors Transportation, the seniors-centred approach it will bring to its work, and its plans for improving seniors’ mobility in BC over the next two years. (January 27, 2021 presentation) Recording and slides available here Back to Top ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE July 2021 Features reports from Medscape Medical News about advances in understanding dementia: risk factors, tests, diagnosis, treatments, epidemiology, practice guidelines and more. ​ Conference news here ENGAGING PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA IN DECISION-MAKING ​ Canadian Centre for Elder Law ​ “We are seeking participants for a series of virtual consultation events on strategies for including people living with dementia in decision making. The events will run from July 2021 to March 2022. We would like to hear from people living with dementia and other disabilities. We are also recruiting family members and friends for virtual consultation events on the perspectives of caregivers.” ​ Project Status: Work in Progress Information here Poster - people living with dementia here Poster - caregivers here VIRTUAL SERVICES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA Adult Cognitive Wellness Centre Langley, BC Virtual services for people living with dementia (Adult Cognitive Wellness Centre, Langley, BC) Regular midday and afternoon sessions offered monthly by qualified facilitators: Caregiver Support, Yoga, Easy Practice of Qigong Movement, Experience-Centered Care with H.E.A.R.T. Methodology™, Mindfulness Base Stress Reduction. Pre-registration & information here DEMENTIA EDUCATION & OPPORTUNITIES Dementia Education & Opportunities BEACON *SHINING LIGHT ON DEMENTIA ​ Pacific Spirit United Church, Vancouver, BC ​ In 2021, members of the congregation participated in a four-part series of online conversations “to further our sense of inclusion and love by opening meaningful conversations about what it means to be a dementia-friendly community…in our care for one another, in our building’s accessibility, and in our programming.” ​ Information here Four-part video series here DEMENTIA & SPIRITUALITY: PODCAST SERIES ​ Dementia Dialogue, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON ​ "This new four-part series explores the many dimensions of spirituality along the dementia journey, as well as how our cultural background influences and nurtures spiritual perspectives.Our hosts have held interviews with a range of guests including people living with dementia, academics and researchers, spiritual care providers and care partners.” ​ Listen here HEALTH CARE DECISION-MAKING LEGAL RIGHTS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA ​ Canadian Centre for Elder Law, Alzheimer Society of BC ​ “A set of resources on the decision-making rights of people living with dementia: three short animated videos, and a booklet. The booklet is available in English, French, Traditional Chinese and Punjabi.” ​ Information here HEALTH CARE DECISION-MAKING LEGAL RIGHTS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA ​ Canadian Centre for Elder Law, Alzheimer Society of BC ​ “A set of resources on the decision-making rights of people living with dementia: three short animated videos, and a booklet. The booklet is available in English, French, Traditional Chinese and Punjabi.” ​ Information here

RESOURCES We also provide selected resources here for Dementia Ventures , since that was the Hub's principal focus in 2019-2023. An extension of Building Capacity project funding enables some Hub Partners to deepen their projects 2023-2025. Understanding & living with dementia Guides for inclusive Programming Tools for Engagement Research Reports & Data

Top of Hub Partners page HUB PARTNERS Become a partner Contact Us Partner Organizations are non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, and government agencies that serve seniors on Vancouver’s Westside. The catchment area is bounded by English Bay (north), Ontario Street (east), Fraser River (south), and includes the University Endowment Lands (west). Partner Organizations have an interest in collaborating with others to support seniors in their community. Learn more about the values that Partner Organizations share here . ​ Click on a profile below to learn more about each Partner Organization and the programs, services, and events it offers. For Partners with current Dementia Ventures projects click here . ​ A.S.K FRIENDSHIP CENTRE, Adult day program 7405 Paulson Street Vancouver V6P 6M7 604-263-7333 https://askcentre.ca/ caring@askcentre.ca BROCK HOUSE SOCIETY 3875 Point Grey Road, Vancouver, V6R 1B3 604-228-1461 https://www.brockhousesociety.com communications@brockhousesociety .com DUNBAR COMMUNITY CENTRE & ASSOCIATION 4747 Dunbar Street, Vancouver, V6S 2H2 604-222-6060 Press '1' https://dunbarcentre.org/dunbar/about-dcaa/ dunbarcc@vancouver.ca DUNBAR RESidENTS ASSOCIATION 45057 - 4326 Dunbar Street, Vancouver, V6S 2M8 604-222-9824 http://www.dunbar-vancouver.org info@dunbar-vancouver.org FAMILY CAREGIVERS OF BC 6 - 3318 Oak Street, Victoria, V6X 1R1 1-877-520-3267 https://www.familycaregiversbc.ca/ caregiversupport@fcns.ca HOME SUPPORT PROJECT (INTERIM) JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES 320 - 2285 Clark Drive, Vancouver, V5N 3G9 604-257-5151 https://www.jfsvancouver.ca info@jfsvancouver.ca KERRISDALE community CENTRE & Association 5851 West Blvd., Vancouver, V6M 3W9 604-257-8100 ext. 1 http://www.kerrisdalecc.com/facilities-rentals/seniors-centre/ kerrisdalecc@vancouver.ca KITSILANO COMMUNITY CENTRE & Association 2690 Larch St., Vancouver, V6K 4K9 604-257-6976 ext 1 https://kitscc.com kitscc@vancouver.ca KITSILANO NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE 2305 West 7th Ave., Vancouver, V6K 1Y4 604-736-3588 http://www.kitshouse.org frontdesk@kitshouse.org Pacific spirit united church 2195 W. 45th Avenue, Vancouver BC, V6M 2J2 www.pacificspirituc.com sabharpe@gmail.com SOUTH GRANVILLE SENIORS CENTRE 1420 West 12th Ave., Vancouver, V6H 1M8 604-732-0812 https://www.southgranvilleseniors.ca info@southgranvilleseniors.ca ST. FAITH'S ANGLICAN CHURCH 7284 Cypress Street, Vancouver, V6P 5M3 604-266-8011 ext. 1 https://stfaiths.ca / office@stfaiths.ca ST. STEPHEN'S UNITED CHURCH 7025 Granville St, Vancouver, BC V6P 4X6 604-266-4944 https://heritagevancouver.org Karen Harder: meharder@shaw.ca VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY DUNBAR BRANCH 4515 Dunbar St., Vancouver, V6S 2G7 604-665-3968 https://www.vpl.ca/location/dunbar-branch info@vpl.ca VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY KERRISDALE BRANCH 2112 West 42nd Ave, Vancouver, V6M 2B6 604-665-3974 https://www.vpl.ca/location/kerrisdale-branch info@vpl.ca VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY KITSILANO BRANCH 2425 MacDonald Street, Vancouver, V6K 3Y9 604-665-3976 https://www.vpl.ca/location/kitsilano-branch info@vpl.ca VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY West Point GREY BRANCH 4480 West 10th Ave., Vancouver, V6R 2H9 604-665-3982 https://www.vpl.ca/location/west-point-grey-branch info@vpl.ca West Point GREY COMMUNITY CENTRE & Association 4397 West 2nd Ave., Vancouver, V6R 1K4 604-257-8140 https://www.westpointgrey.org/ wpgcc@vancouver.ca WEST POINT GREY UNITED CHURCH 4595 8th Ave. W, Vancouver BC, V6R 2A4 604-224-4388 www.wpguc.com@wpguc.com Hyuk Cho: hyuk.minister@wpguc.com

HUB AÎNÉS WESTSIDE ACTION COLLECTIVE PAR ET POUR LES AÎNÉS Hub brochure here OUR MISSION To build a more responsive and resilient community for seniors on Vancouver’s Westside through the power of collective action. OUR KEY GOALS To identify and promote awareness of Westside seniors’ issues and priorities ​ To improve programs and services for seniors on the Westside through collective action by Hub Council, Hub Partner Organizations, and community organizations ​ To encourage seniors to become more engaged in their community WHAT IS THE HUB STRUCTURE? The Hub is comprised of Partner Organizations, a Hub Council, and action-oriented committees. PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS serve seniors on the Westside and have an interest in collaborating with others to support seniors in their community. They meet quarterly to share information about resources and assets, identify emerging issues, and collaborate on building a range of integrated services for seniors. They work with the Hub Council and serve on committees to act on identified issues and represent the Hub to the public and various constituencies. Partners include public entities, non-profits, and faith-based organizations that provide services for seniors. THE HUB COUNCIL is composed of several Westside volunteer seniors who have knowledge of seniors’ issues, experience working on action-oriented teams, and skills to work collaboratively with each other, Partner Organizations and community members. They meet monthly to identify priorities and direct movement towards collective action. THE COMMITTEES have representatives from the Council, Partner Organizations, and the community. They meet as needed to focus attention on particular issues or activities by sharing information, suggesting to the Council what approaches might work, and planning events. They act on behalf of seniors to bring attention to issues and gaps in services. Their work engages businesses, government agencies, non-profit agencies, and the public in moving towards a community where seniors can have their needs met and age well. WHAT CONSTITUTES THE WESTSIDE? QUE CONSTITUE LE CÔTÉ OUEST? Nous définissons la zone de chalandise du Westside Seniors Hub comme suit: À l'ouest de la rue Ontario, tout le chemin pour inclure UBC et les terres de dotation Au sud de la rue Cornwall et de False Creek Au nord de Marine Drive À noter que la zone de chalandise n'inclut pas la péninsule du centre-ville ou l'île Granville. Les partenaires dont le bureau est en dehors de notre zone de chalandise sont invités à se joindre à nous s'ils servent activement les aînés de Westside . HOW DID THE HUB EMERGE? The concept of a seniors hub first emerged through a 2009 research report entitled “Sustaining Seniors Programs through the Neighbourhood House Model,” which focused on opportunities for seniors at Kitsilano, Kiwassa & South Vancouver Neighbourhood Houses. ​ In 2010, South Vancouver Neighbourhood House received pilot funding from Vancouver Coastal Health – SmartFund, City of Vancouver, United Way, and the Vancouver Foundation to develop the South Vancouver Seniors Hub and produce an Implementation Plan and Seniors Hub Toolkit. ​ This led to Kitsilano Neighbourhood House receiving a 2013-2014 Vancouver Foundation grant for a Seniors for Seniors Project: Building a One-Stop Place for Westside Seniors. One of the aspects of this project was to develop a Westside Seniors Hub. A number of community members and seventeen senior-serving Westside organizations met at a visioning round-table in January 2014 to explore the potential benefits and nature of a Westside Hub. Several subsequent planning round-tables developed the structure of the Hub. In addition, they drew up Partner Collaborative Agreements, wrote a Hub Council Member job description, and both recruited and interviewed Hub Council applicants. ​ By February 2015, appointments to the Hub Council had been made and the first joint meeting of Partner Organizations and Hub Council members took place. The Hub has sought grant funding for various projects and operated with paid contractors. Now it has administrative support from Kitsilano Neighbourhood House and volunteer efforts to provide Partners with relevant information about diverse seniors' issues. Westside Seniors Hub brochure here SPONSORS COMMENT LE HUB EST-IL ÉMERGÉ? Le concept d'un carrefour pour personnes âgées est apparu pour la première fois dans un rapport de recherche de 2009 intitulé «Sustaining Seniors Programs through the Neighbourhood House Model», qui portait sur les opportunités pour les personnes âgées à Kitsilano, Kiwassa et South Vancouver Neighborhood Houses. En 2010, la South Vancouver Neighbourhood House a reçu un financement pilote de Vancouver Coastal Health - SmartFund, de la ville de Vancouver, de Centraide et de la Vancouver Foundation pour développer le South Vancouver Seniors Hub et produire un plan de mise en œuvre et une trousse d'outils pour les aînés. Cela a conduit Kitsilano Neighborhood House à recevoir une subvention 2013-2014 de la Vancouver Foundation pour un projet Seniors for Seniors: Construire un guichet unique pour les aînés de Westside. L'un des aspects de ce projet était de développer un Westside Seniors Hub. Un certain nombre de membres de la communauté et dix-sept organisations de haut niveau de Westside se sont réunis lors d'une table ronde de vision en janvier 2014 pour explorer les avantages potentiels et la nature d'un carrefour Westside. Plusieurs tables rondes de planification ultérieures ont développé la structure du Hub. En outre, ils ont rédigé des accords de collaboration avec les partenaires, rédigé une description de poste de membre du conseil du hub et recruté et interviewé les candidats du conseil du hub. En février 2015, les nominations au Hub Council avaient été faites et la première réunion conjointe des organisations partenaires et des membres du Hub Council a eu lieu. Depuis lors, le Hub a recherché des subventions pour divers projets et opéré avec des entrepreneurs rémunérés, le soutien administratif de Kitsilano Neighborhood House et des efforts bénévoles. COMMANDITAIRES Depuis sa création, le Hub a reçu le soutien financier de plusieurs sponsors. Nous sommes reconnaissants pour leur confiance et leur reconnaissance de la mission et des objectifs du Hub au nom des seniors. Retourner en haut

Events - Return to top SOUND BYTES SERIES Return to top Hub Community Action That Builds Capacity The Dementia Ventures project empowers Hub Partners to build out inclusive community programming for all and adapt to include people living with dementia. They and their care partners want to remain socially engaged in meaningful activities. A collaboration with UBC’s Dr. Alison Phinney and her Building Capacity team offers financial, strategic and logistical resources so programs can welcome and support those with dementia and their care partners. We celebrated midway in this initiative with a series of vibrant online community dialogues. The theme was: “What it means to be an accepting and inclusive community.” SoundBytes wants to share wisdom from those dialogues. Here are our first nuggets. There will be many more! PAVING THE WAY FOR OTHERS WITH DEMENTIA ... BC-based Lynn Jackson is a retired nurse and highly active advocate for people living with dementia. She's a member of several action groups and continues to blaze a trail for others to live well and feel empowered living with dementia. Watch Full Event HERE A PERSON-CENTERED APPROACH TO DEMENTIA ... In a recent Dementia Dialogue podcast interview, BC artist and advocate Granville Johnson reminds us how crucial it is that people with dementia be involved in planning and decision making for initiatives that affect their lives. "Inclusion creates understanding, facilitates empathy, and shares love." For more on the importance of including and respecting people with dementia, please visit buildingcapacityproject.com and flippingstigma.com Watch Full Event HERE STRENGTH IN NUMBERS ... This excerpt from a new episode of Dementia Dialogue features UBC's Dr. Alison Phinney on overcoming barriers to community engagement for people living with dementia. Dr. Phinney discusses what she's learned through her extensive research, and how important it is to have a team. Joining her in discussion on the episode is Community Research Coordinator Dr. Andrea Monteiro and BC-based Lynn Jackson, a dementia advocate and retired nurse living with dementia who explains what's been most effective for her. Watch Full Event HERE THE BEAUTY OF INCLUSION ... Veteran dementia advocate and Thunder Bay resident Bill Heibein expresses his deep appreciation for the inclusive and warm nature of his local Dementia Cafe and its refreshing lack of labels. "No one asks who's who; they just welcome you in the door." Sounds pretty lovely to us! Watch Full Event HERE THE POWER IN THE WORDS WE USE ... When John's doctor made a joke out of his dementia, he was deeply hurt. It's these kinds of microaggressions that create the biggest barriers for people with dementia to live well. Words like these that silence people who really need to speak and share. Help us empower people with lived experience to know they're entitled to live their best life too. Watch Full Event HERE PERSPECTIVE IS EVERYTHING ... BC-based artist and advocate Granville Johnson spoke out about fear and the power of our perspective on Dementia Dialogue's most recent podcast episode, addressing the ways we can choose to gain some sense of control and joy back into our lives even in the face of new challenges. Watch Full Event HERE WHAT HOLDS US BACK The biggest challenge to community support for people living with dementia. In the most recent podcast episode of Dementia Dialogue, Dr. Alison Phinney discusses the stigma attached to dementia diagnoses and how that impacts community support efforts. She speaks with host Lisa Loiselle and fellow podcast guest Granville Johnson, who lives with dementia himself, about the important balance to be struck between training and education on one hand, and engaging with people with lived experience on the other. Watch Full Event HERE TURNING TOWARDS THE PERSON WITH DEMENTIA A care partners perspective on what helps. Karen Rolston’s mother Louise started getting inklings something was a little “off” back in 2011. At the time, the Rolstons were already in the process of creating a laneway house on their property for her, so they could live close together. The timing worked out well. Louise lived there for seven years beside her daughter Karen, Karen’s husband, and their daughter. Those years were, “a beautiful opportunity for us to just wrap mom with more support and care while she was able to live in her own space,”Karen said. ​ When Karen thinks about the journey she has been on with her mom, and the reactions from people when it comes to dementia, the word that comes to mind is fear. “People find out someone has dementia, and they think, ‘Am I going to receive this diagnosis too?’ ‘Is someone I love going to get dementia?’” Rolston said. Fear seeps in and too often, people pull away. ​ “People often don’t know what to say or do, so they turn away from those with dementia instead of turning toward them with love,”Rolston said. Rolston is extremely grateful for community supports. Her mom really enjoyed the Alzheimer Society’s Minds in Motion program, the Alzheimer’s Café and the Helena choir she joined. “These community groups are where we felt really held,” she said. “It’s such a painful journey and there is still so much we can do.” ​ In this Soundbyte, Rolston offers her thoughts on how to really tune into a person’s needs and meet them where they are, rather than seeing their responses as resistance or defiance. Loving and showing up for someone with dementia is about cherishing the now, embracing their world, and accepting what is. Watch Full Event HERE ANDRÉ PICARD ON THE MEDIA'S ROLE IN STAMPING OUT STIGMA ... Esteemed Globe and Mail Columnist André Picard wrote Neglected No More: The Urgent Need to Improve the Lives of Canada’s Elders in the Wake of a Pandemic in 2021, a book that discusses what needs to change to shift the culture of long-term care across our country. “Picard reveals the full extent of the crisis in eldercare and offers an urgently needed prescription to fix a broken system and ensure long-term care homes are not warehouses of isolation and neglect” Penguin Random House states on their site. Care home COVID outbreaks seemed to be exploding in every region of the country at the time, drawing attention to the deplorable working conditions they had for employees, the resulting neglect residents experienced, and the total lack of support for the institutions in general. In this storyboard, Picard says media needs to highlight not just worst-case scenarios meant to shock and awe, but stories about people living quite well for a long time with dementia. Seeing more people with dementia in our day-to-day activities—including in the news— would normalize that experience as a way of reducing stigma. Lastly, he emphasized the importance of having people with dementia sit on boards and committees on which they get a real vote in the outcomes of important decisions. Watch Full Event HERE SUZUKI ELDERS On the value of art in supporting the dementia journey... Rob Dramer and Lilllian Ireland are self-identified elders who work with the Suzuki foundation mentoring and supporting other elders and younger generations in dialogue and action on environmental issues. They're also traveling performers who offer a multi-sensory show featuring songs they've written about biodiversity, interspersed with some familiar tunes to help audiences tap into earlier memories. Music elicits powerful connections, and they invite audience members to join in the fun alongside them and their collection of beautiful local animal puppets. Watch Full Event HERE POETRY On the value of art in supporting the dementia journey... Myrna Norman is an author, artist, and dementia advocate based in Maple Ridge. In 2009, when Norman was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal Dementia and given eight years to live, she went home ready to die. But after grieving this news for a couple of weeks, Norman decided to do what she’s best at: advocating for change. She became heavily involved in initiatives that let others in her situation know they weren’t alone. Thirteen years later, Norman’s passion, generosity of spirit, and charisma have touched so many lives. Her book, “Dementia Strategies, Tips and Personal Stories,” has become an indispensable voice of validation and support. ​ Norman has participated in multi-year research studies, art-making groups and task forces including The Dementia Sisterhood, the Dementia Action Committee, Dementia Advocacy Canada, the Dementia Friendly Task Force, and now the Building Capacity Project to name just a few. She’s also collaborating with researchers and designers at Emily Carr University’s Health Design Lab to develop a series of workbooks geared at supporting researchers to engage in collaborative work with people with lived experience. And to all these roles, she brings her signature energy, compassion, and love for showing people their strength. Watch Full Event HERE BEACON *Shining Light on Dementia An Initiative to build an inclusive congregation at Pacific Spirit United Church. A dedicated group of congregation members at Pacific Spirit United Church worked together over the course of a year to create an incredible and insightful four-part series on dementia that you can access online.​ ​ They had noticed church members struggling with cognitive decline and family members worried about finding extra care, so they dove in to offer support. Their commitment to fostering a dementia friendly culture at their church has since inspired many other groups to take action too. ​ For more details go to www.pacificspiritc.com and click on "ministries". The series is under "Beacon *shinning light on dementia." Watch Full Event HERE LET'S TALK ABOUT DEMENTIA The Flipping Stigma Toolkit An Action Group of people living with dementia came together and developed a toolkit to start a conversation about stigma and discrimination in dementia. The Flipping Stigma Toolkit is a project where a group of people diagnosed with dementia partnered with a research team to develop an online toolkit. ​ This Action Group, funded by a research grant from the Canadian Institute of Health and Research, co-designed the toolkit to help people with dementia recognize and respond to stigma and discrimination -and to help others better understand ho to be supportive-. ​ The Goa? Flip that fear on its ear. ​ To learn more visit www.flippingstigma.com Watch Full Event HERE EMILY CARR UNIVERSITY'S HEALTH DESIGN LAB Emily Carr University's Health Design Lab employs participatory methods to lift up the perspectives of people with lived experience. Researchers and designers at Emily Carr University’s Health Design Lab use participatory design methods to catalyze, support and amplify initiatives addressing complex health challenges like dementia. “We use design methods to help engage people with dementia in initiatives that directly impact their lives,” said Lab Director Caylee Raber. The team’s current project is called Collaborate, Gather, Share—a workbook series co-designed by people with lived experience to help drive reflection around how they can be brought into research projects and how best to support those collaborations, recognizing people with dementia as experts. ​ Their recent video, “Perspectives,” paired design students with long-term care residents. They co-designed and co-wrote mini publications featuring residents’ stories. Students developed creative games and activities to help draw out residents’ stories that they then captured in zines and mini-books, some even embroidered on quilts. ​ Lastly, the team worked with Vancouver Coastal Health for four years on a project focused on shifting the culture of care in long-term facilities. All the Lab’s work focuses on how researchers and designers can use their skills and expertise to build upon work already being done—facilitating creative expression and self advocacy for people with dementia and getting those messages out to the world. Watch Full Event HERE REPRESENTATION MATTERS The power of seeing our experiences in the stories of others. Author, artist, and dementia advocate Myrna Norman runs a peer support group for others with dementia in her lower mainland community called the Purple Angels Memory Café. The group meets four times a month, and sometimes outdoors in summer when the weather is beautiful. Every second week, it’s the Army and Navy Club for a beer and live music. Members take turns bringing refreshments and treats and have fundraised up to $300 to put towards games and activities they can play together. The group is a wonderful way to connect with others, share similar experiences, and gain support and a powerful sense of belonging. The best part? Membership is free. “The gift [members] give to me is so much more than could ever be paid,” said Norman. ​ One new member who joined a couple of weeks ago turned to Myrna as he was leaving the Army and Navy Club and said, “Myrna, I feel different now. The music touched something inside of me.” ​ “I still get the shivers thinking about it,” Norman said of the comment. It’s revelations like this one that drew her to this work. ​ For more information or to check out the Purple Angels sometime, email Myrna Norman at: the.normans@shaw.ca Watch Full Event HERE THE POWER OF SUPPORT FROM OUR FAITH & CULTURE GROUPS Shared values and perspectives Reverend Deborah Liang has been a minister in the United Church of Canada for 37 years, the last four at Pacific Spirit Kerrisdale. She's seen how good communities gather around people in both their joys and troubles, contributing immensely to their quality of life. She also served as chaplain at a rural hospital and learned so much from nurses and program staff there about support, respect and care for people with dementia. Watch Full Event HERE RESPONDING TO DEMENTIA THROUGH A CROSS-CULTURAL LENS Shared values and perspectives One Vancouver man who has been advocating for the treatment and care of people with dementia ever since his dementia diagnosis over a decade ago, discusses how dementia is viewed through various cultural lenses. He explains how those lenses affect families' and individual's responses to diagnosis and decisions around treatment. Watch Full Event HERE TRUSTING OUR SENSE OF SELF ABOVE ALL ELSE Shared values and perspectives BC artist and dementia advocate Granville Johnson talks about the importance of trusting one's sense of self above all else when living with dementia. "The world might not know we're capable, but we can know it and live it and continue to pursue our dreams." Johnson lives in remote part of British Columbia where he's currently working on a novel. Watch Full Event HERE ON BRAVERY AND THE POWER OF SHARING OUR STORY Shared values and perspectives When Lester was first diagnosed with dementia, he and his wife and care partner Cindy found that some of their friends and family reacted with disbelief. Others weren't sure how to talk to him. Sharing the Flipping Stigma toolkit with their church and social communities gave the couple a chance to contextualize dementia for those who didn't know much about it. The toolkit allayed fears, provided reassurance, and ultimately resulted in Lester AND Cindy feeling they could open up more about his diagnosis, feel less shame, and share more of their journey with the people they cared about. The toolkit helped them feel much more deeply understood. Watch Full Event HERE HOW FOCUSING ON A PURPOSE BUILDS RESILIENCE Bill Heibein's journey with dementia. Bill Heibein continues to live on the farm he shared with his late wife Heather just outside Kakabeka Falls, Ontario. When he was diagnosed with dementia in 2000, doctors told him he'd have about five more years to live "usefully". Twenty-two years later, he has proven them wrong. In addition to caring for his horses, Bill volunteers as an advocate with the Northwest Dementia Working Group, helps run Dementia Cafes in the community, and is passionate about encouraging others with lived experience to get involved, advocate for themselves, and find purpose. Bill says it's that deep sense of purpose that's fuelled his ability to thrive with dementia for so long, and he's confident others can do the same. Watch Full Event HERE MAPPING DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY CULTURE A community works together to be more inclusive. When COVID-19 threatened to halt all their efforts in their tracks, Andrea Sara and her team found was to move online, gather virtually, solve problems, and dream big anyway. They worried for seniors who'd been hit particularly hard by increased isolation and wanted to ensure everyone in their community felt seen and supported. So, they went outside. They sought out "soothing spaces" where they could "feel safe socializing". That's how the Fireweed Club came to be. These days the DRA has its hand in so many wonderful initiatives, all which support inclusion, environmental awareness, and social engagement. Watch Full Event HERE ON THE VALUE OF INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTION ... Dementia Educator and community advocate Helen Murphy has dedicated her career to making the North Shore and surrounding communities more dementia-friendly. She provides training for North Shore organizations, speaks to community groups, and volunteers in developing new programs and opportunities for people with dementia to live better lives in a community that is "wise, inclusive and socially integrated". Watch Full Event HERE THE NEED FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA IN ADVOCACY ROLES ... The Building Capacity Project team in Thunder Bay, Ontario partners with the Northwest Dementia Working Group on a number of fantastic community initiatives. The team is very grateful to the NWDWG members who have volunteered to help run some of their Dementia Cafes over the years, for instance, as these cafes are a great opportunity for people in the community to witness for themselves how important representation is, how much capacity there is among people with lived experience, and to be a apart of breaking down stigma. . CARE PARTNERS EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA ... Lynn Jackson is an action group member with lived experience who played a key role in developing the Flipping Stigma Toolkit, a new online resource helping educate caregivers, people with lived experience, researchers, and the public at large about how to respond to stigma around dementia. Jackson talks about how important it is for care partners to empower people with dementia to stay engaged and active. Fostering autonomy while supporting someone with dementia works to maintain their sense of personhood. Treating them like they're sick makes them feel that way. Watch Full Event HERE AMPLIFYING DIVERSE VOICES: THE VALUE OF LIVED EXPERIENCE ... Dr. Elaine Wiersma of the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health at Lakehead University talks about the need to amplify a wider cross section of voices when it comes to the lived experience of people with dementia. If our exposure of these experiences stays too narrow, we run the risk of silencing important wisdoms, staying uninformed as to the broad range of experiences, and keeping devastating stigmas alive. . ART AS A VEHICLE FOR CHANGE ... Art is a powerful vehicle for shifting perceptions and shaping culture. AND it's one way of letting your voice be heard when the words themselves might be too hard to say. Whether it's a poem, a collage, a painting, or a dance, the arts can be incredibly helpful and moving for people with dementia at all stages of their journey, and can help the public gain insight into their experience. .

COLLABORATION VALUES SENIORS LED Dirigés par les seniors: L e Hub est dirigé par des personnes âgées afin de mieux répondre aux besoins des personnes âgées. Il favorise un processus de vieillissement en bonne santé, reconnaissant que plusieurs générations et cohortes ont besoin de différentes activités et soutiens. Les aînés fournissent des conseils sur l'amélioration de l'accessibilité des programmes pour aînés et la prise en compte de la diversité des intérêts des aînés. COMMUNITY FOCUSED The overarching intention of the collaboration among Partner Organizations is to maximize benefits for the community and to leverage resources effectively, for example by seeking opportunities for funding support and innovative collaboration. The Hub relies on community engagement to address the needs and interests of diverse facets of the community. DIGNITY AND RESPECT Dirigés par les seniors: L e Hub est dirigé par des personnes âgées afin de mieux répondre aux besoins des personnes âgées. Il favorise un processus de vieillissement en bonne santé, reconnaissant que plusieurs générations et cohortes ont besoin de différentes activités et soutiens. Les aînés fournissent des conseils sur l'amélioration de l'accessibilité des programmes pour aînés et la prise en compte de la diversité des intérêts des aînés. BELONGING The Hub strives to create a sense of belonging and inclusion and provide opportunities to be connected and engaged in the community. OPENNESS Ouverture: Les Organisations Partenaires Hub opèrent dans un esprit de respect mutuel et sont claires et ouvertes sur leurs intentions. Ils évoquent tous les problèmes qui surviennent au cours du travail du Hub afin qu'ils puissent être traités par le groupe. BECOME A PARTNER If you are a public, non-profit, or faith-based organization that serves seniors on Vancouver’s Westside, we would like to collaborate with you! ​ WHAT VALUES DOES THE WESTSIDE SENIORS HUB OFFER? ​ Help seniors know what programs and services Westside organizations offer to keep them socially engaged, active and well-served Enable the sharing of information and resources among Hub Partner Organizations and other community entities Better meet the needs of Westside seniors by sharing knowledge between seniors and Hub Partner Organizations Increase community awareness of seniors' issues and strengthen advocacy on behalf of seniors ​ HOW CAN PARTNERING IN THE WESTSIDE SENIORS HUB BENEFIT MY ORGANIZATION? ​ Enhance community awareness of your seniors’ programs and increase participation Learn from experiences and insights of other seniors' service providers Share ideas and solutions to improve seniors’ programs and services Amplify the voice of Westside seniors' service providers through the collective power of working together WHAT ARE THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A HUB PARTNER ORGANIZATION? ​ Actively support the goals and operation of the Westside Seniors Hub by attending quarterly meetings, sitting on committees where possible, and providing advice and expertise to Council and Committees when requested Submit program and event information for profiling in Hub communications (website, HubBytes newsletter) Share ideas, successes, and challenges at quarterly Partner meetings Share information from Partner meetings within your organization Promote the network of Partner Organizations and make referrals where appropriate Partners meet quarterly and communicate via email between meetings. Partners are encouraged to join committees relevant to their work and offer space, resources and guidance to help the Council and volunteers in their efforts. Contact us to become a partner Hub brochure here PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS A growing network of Partner Organizations that serve seniors on the Westside have an interest in collaborating to support seniors in their community. They meet quarterly to share information about resources and assets, identify emerging issues, and collaborate on building a range of integrated services for seniors. They work with the Hub Council, serve on committees to act on identified issues, and represent the Hub to the public and various constituencies. Devenir un partenaire Partenaires actuels Collaboration values

RESOURCES The Hub encourages everyone to know about Help Lines that provide credible information to callers with questions and concerns. Help Lines DEMENTIA VENTURES RESOURCES We also provide selected resources here for Dementia Ventures , since that is the Hub's focus in 2020-2023. Understanding & living with dementia Guides for inclusive Programming Tools for Engagement Research Reports & Data

​ VOLUNTEERS YOU can help participate in community conversations assist with social, creative & physical activities provide technical expertise & logistical support interview & write stories Volunteers are essential partners in making Hub Partners' programs meaningful opportunities for participants. Your interactions with people living with dementia become important connections to community and diversify the kinds of activities that Hub Partners can offer. ​ Hub Partners would like to hear from you! Visit the Current Hub Partner Projects page to see which project is most attractive and contact the Partner sponsoring it.

CURRENT HUB PARTNERS' PROJECTS Dementia Ventures i s a commitment by the Westside Seniors Hub Partner Organizations to offer diverse activities for people living with dementia and their care partners. These activities are designed to: reduce stigma sustain quality of life ​ The projects listed below are partially funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada via the Building Capacity for Meaningful Participation by People Living with Dementia umbrella project. Current Hub Partner project planning began in early 2020 and is evolving all the time! ​ For more information, click on a category below to learn more, or click on a Partner's name for their contact information. ​ COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS Hub Partners want to foster more inclusive communities . They engage a wide range of community members in plans and conversations to build and change programs, and increase awareness. ​ These Partners are currently working on projects to achieve those objectives. If you can participate in their projects, please click on the Partner's name and contact them directly. ​ Translink Awareness-Building Placards Thanks to an Implementation Fund grant from the Building Capacity for Meaningful Participation by People Living with Dementia project, the Hub’s Council has placed 210 awareness-building placards inside TransLink buses in Metro Vancouver during the summer. The three different designs developed by Building Capacity project team members Samantha Pineda Sierra and Heather Neale Furneaux, quote Action Committee members with lived experience from a special initiative known as The Flipping Stigma Project . These members’ comments reflect on what it feels like to be discriminated against because of their dementia. The campaign aims to increase awareness and encourage open and respectful conversations about living with dementia. Even if you don’t travel on public buses, you will want to take a look HERE at these engaging placards. ​ Kitsilano Community Centre Association offers a variety of physical, social, and multicultural programming sponsored two Memory Cafés in October aimed at gathering programming needs and ideas from people experiencing dementia and care partners Community Needs Assessment Group sponsored two Memory Cafés to gather community members' perspectives. An insightful report summarizes responses and diverse strategies for next steps in programming. steps forward ​ ​ West Point Grey United Church TLC (The Lunch Club) A program for seniors and people with dementia in the west side of Vancouver. A Four Part Series with educational component and group discussions. ​ Pacific Spirit United Church Congregation members at Pacific Spirit United Church created an insightful four-part series looking at dementia from a community perspective. It's called Beacon *shining light on Dementia and is available online here . ​ PROGRAM PLANNING Hub Partners are adapting existing programs to be more inclusive and planning new programs. They appreciate having community members participate at every stage - planning, implementing and sustaining - to build community capacity. If you can participate at any stage of program planning or implementation, please click on the name of a Hub Partner below for their project description and contact them directly. ​ A.S.K. Friendship Centre develop programs & design space purchase art supplies to diversify programs ​ Dunbar Residents Association identify assets & gaps in services for seniors adapt Salmonberry Days for inclusive programming organize Fireweed Club for outdoor activities in Balaclava Park, including development of a pollinator garden ​ Kitsilano Neighbourhood House promote dementia awareness with staff and volunteer trainings convene a focus group to include the voices of people living with dementia and care partners in meaningful activities engage Business Improvement Areas (BIA) in a series of dialogues ​ South Granville Seniors Centre Two Happy Memories Cafés English-language Café brochure here Spanish-language Café brochure here ​ Collaborative Project - Fireweed Club helping provide transportation to bring participants to outdoor events. opportunities to connect with the larger community and build new connections with people living with dementia in the community. summer schedule of activities in Vancouver's westside parks and plazas here included outings in ASK Society's van DISCOVERING COMMUNITY ASSETS These projects focus on identifying community members and services that can help build capacity to offer meaningful opportunities and adapt existing services to be more inclusive. ​ If you can participate in building capacity, please click on the Hub Partner's name for their contact them directly. ​ The Building Capacity Project - Dementia Ventures Offers engaging programs in order to help organizations make existing offerings more inclusive. Informs future policies and priorities in community and health settings for dementia inclusive communities. ​ Westside Seniors Hub - Transportation Initiative Model Programs that explore van-sharing and public transit challenges and solutions for seniors. ​ Westside Seniors Hub Develop a website to showcase Partners' projects and opportunities to get involved Invite diverse community members to become involved Collaborate with UBC Centre for Community Engaged Learning students involved as Community Action Mobilizers to conduct asset-mapping of Vancouver's westside neighbourhoods and promote community resilience planning for shocks & stressors

Help Lines Top HELP LINES Click on the buttons below. bc211 Information & Referral 311 City of Vancouver 811 BC Health Link BC Seniors' Advocate Dementia Ventures - FirstLink® SOTM: Seniors Transportation Options SAIL: Seniors Abuse & Information Line Greater Vancouver Seniors Distress Lines Ability 411 Assistive Technologies & Equipment AssistList: Home Health Equipment Exchange BC211 PROVINCE-WIDE INFORMATION & REFERRAL SERVICES 24/7 bc211 is a British Columbia, non-profit organization that provides a free, confidential, multilingual (160 languages) information about community, government and social services in BC. As a response to COVID-19, bc211 accepts applications for the Safe Seniors, Strong Communities program, both from seniors wanting help and from volunteers willing to step up and help with non-medical needs. ​ Multilingual : Yes (160 languages) Hours : 24/7 Contact: Dial: 211 Text: 211 Web: https://www.bc211.ca Twitter: @bc211Help Email: help@bc211.ca ​ Return to top bc211 311 City of Vancouver 311 CITY OF VANCOUVER Help line within the City for seeking information about operations and services or to report problems. ​ During COVID-19 only use 311 for urgent requests or language interpretation. Otherwise use online chat and email at City website. ​ Multilingual : Yes ​ Hours : 7am to 10pm daily Live chat 9am-4pm ​ Contact: Dial 311 within Metro Vancouver. Outside Vancouver: 604-873-7000 App: VanConnect Web: https://vancouver.ca/your-government/contact-the-city-of vancouver.aspx ​ Return to top DEMENTIA VENTURES FIRST LINK ® DEMENTIA HELPLINE If you have questions about Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, call the Alzheimer Society of B.C.'s First Link® Dementia Helpline for information and support (toll-free): ​ Dial: - English: 1-800-936-6033 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.) - Cantonese and Mandarin: 1-833-674-5007 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) - Punjabi: 1-833-674-5003 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Web: https://alzheimer.ca/bc/en/help-support/find-support-bc/first-link-dementia-helpline ​ Return to top FirstLink Dementia Helpline 811 HealthLinkBC 811 HEALTHLINK BC 811 is a free-of-charge provincial health information and advice phone line available in British Columbia to speak to a health service navigator, who can help you find non-emergency health information and services; or connect you directly with a registered nurse, a registered dietitian, a qualified exercise professional, or a pharmacist. ​ Multilingual : Yes (130 languages) For translated resources in French, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamesego to https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/services-and-resources/translated-resources Hours : 24/7 ​ Contact: Dial: 811 Web: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/ For nursing services: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/nursing-services For dietitian services : https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/dietitian-services For pharmacist services: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/pharmacist-services For qualified exercise professionals: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/physical-activity-services ​ Return to top SENIORS ON THE MOVE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS Need help getting around British Columbia? This is an initiative of B.E.S.T. (Better Environmentally Sound Transportation). You can find various transportation options: public transit, HandyDart, as well as community shuttle services, taxis and private driver services,volunteer ride programs, and walking groups in various regions of the province.. ​ Web here : https://www.seniorsonthemove.org/transportation-options-for-seniors-metro-vancouver#/ ​ Return to top STAR BCC SENIORS ADVOCATE Speak with an Information & Referral analyst or consult website about health care, housing, income supports, personal supports, transportation. Seniors’ services research reports and Long-term Care Quick Facts Directory. Provide feedback on seniors’ services. Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday (except statutory holidays) Contact: Dial: toll-free 1-877-952-3181 or in Victoria 250-952-3181 Web: https://www.seniorsadvocatebc.ca/ ​ Return to top BC Seniors Advocate SENIORS ABUSE & INFORMATION LINE (SAIL) SAIL is a province-wide confidential service for older adults, and those who care about them, to talk to a trained intake worker about abuse or mistreatment. Seniors will receive information and support about issues that impact their health and wellbeing. Multilingual: Yes, upon request (180 languages) Hours: 8am-8pm 7 days/week (excluding holidays) ​ Contact: Dial: 604-437-1940 or toll-free 1-866-437-1940 TTY equipment: 604-428-3359 or toll-free 1-855-306-1443 Web: http://seniorsfirstbc.ca/programs/sail ​ Return to top Seniors Abuse & Information Line (SAIL) CRISIS CENTRE OF BC Immediate access to barrier-free, non-judgmental, confidential support and follow-up to youth, adults, and seniors throughout 24/7 phone lines and online services. The Distress Services program provides support to vulnerable individuals across British Columbia. Multilingual: Yes (140 languages) Hours: 24/7 distress phone line and online chat services between noon and 1:00am Contact: Dial: Vancouver Coastal Regional Distress Line: 604-872-3311 Anywhere in BC 1-800-SUICIDE: 1-800-784-2433 Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 Web: https://crisiscentre.bc.ca/ Chat: Adults: www.CrisisCentreChat.ca (Noon to 1am) ​ Return to top Crisis Centre of BC Ability 411 ABILITY 411 Web-based service for answers to questions and practical information about technologies, tools and equipment that increase independence and wellbeing for BC seniors, and support their families and care teams. Multilingual: Use an online translation app Web: https://www.ability411.ca/find-answers Ask a question https://www.ability411.ca/ask-new-question ​ AssistList ASSIST LIST “Helping simplify the exchange of home health equipment for our community” with blog, resources and searchable database of equipment listings , …”facilitating safe exchanges across Metro Vancouver by creating a network of Community Exchange Zones to help us facilitate safe exchanges across Metro Vancouver. ” Non-profit operated by staff and volunteers; funded by partners and donors. Multilingual: Use an online translation app Hours: equipment list is available 24/7 here Contact: online here with questions