Tools & Tips
Discover practical, real-life insights and tips to help make your day-to-day a little smoother.
Find Activities
Reduce Your Risk
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![Confident woman in a red shirt with a playful expression, promoting positivity and individuality for those living with dementia.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64f26c12ee69e12f5d4db130/6503cbb4623861f662b688a5_Screenshot%202023-09-14%20at%2020.12.22.webp)
Activities You Can Do
Find something to celebrate
Celebrate for any reason, big or small... including National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day 🎉🥂🎶
![Family dinner celebration with the group taking a selfie shot](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/6595dedfc07a76716e9e1344_pexels-marlene-lepp%C3%A4nen-1019771.jpg)
Create a reason to celebrate. It doesn’t have to be big (like a recent win, the start of a season, or national donut day 😉). For a list of reasons to celebrate coming up, click here.
Search YouTube for a playlist (try searching ‘oldies’ or those legendary artists you love).
Have a toast with tasty beverages. Find easy-to-make mocktail recipes or pick up a conveniently canned version.
It doesn’t need to be a big reason to celebrate, or totally ‘accurate.’
Improvise, have fun, and just go with it. Donna’s example is spot on.
When it was my birthday, I went to visit my mom.
I told her it was my birthday, and that I was now 37 years old. She looked surprised, and said, "Really?" I responded, "Yes."
And Mom said, "So am I!" I smiled, and said, "Cool, let's celebrate!"
I gave her a hug and we went on our way.
![Family dinner celebration with the group taking a selfie shot](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/6595dedfc07a76716e9e1344_pexels-marlene-lepp%C3%A4nen-1019771.jpg)
Take a drive
Go for a drive, enjoy the sky, have a picnic, listen to music, and catch a local sports game. 🚗🌅🍔🎶⚽
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/6503c9b62feffa5e351cc17a_Driving.jpg)
Watch the sun come up (or go down). Our skies are legendary for calming, dreamy vistas and stargazing.
Ever played 'what shape is that cloud'?
Take a picnic lunch to enjoy at a great spot (even if it’s just a quick sandwich and drink from the drive thru).
Try tailgating if you find a scenic stop.
Need ideas for a short road trip within an hour of the city?
Add in some great tunes for background music.
Stop and watch a sports team playing in your community.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/6503c9b62feffa5e351cc17a_Driving.jpg)
Connect with animals
Spend time with animals: Walk a pet, visit a dog park, watch funny animal videos, or go to the zoo. 🐾🐶🐱🦁🦓
![border collie smiling at the camera](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/6503ca85493f3af81af2dc52_Screenshot%202023-09-14%20at%2020.07.37.png)
Pets and animals can have powerful, therapeutic impacts on people.
Take a pet for a walk, or visit with a neighbour’s pet.
Visit a local dog park.
Grab a bench along a pathway. You’d be surprised how often people are out with their pets and are open to stopping and sharing some animal cuddles.
Google funny cat or dog videos.
Visit the Calgary Zoo, even if it’s just to see one or two exhibits. People watching can be fun, too.
![border collie smiling at the camera](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/6503ca85493f3af81af2dc52_Screenshot%202023-09-14%20at%2020.07.37.png)
![Woman hiking in the forest with her dog, promoting outdoor activities and companionship for individuals with dementia.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64f26c12ee69e12f5d4db130/664d36e5a4f024db1e223e1f_pexels-photo-2002056.webp)
Reduce your Risk
And no, we don’t mean get a better phone. You’ve heard it before, exercise counts. It delivers more oxygen to your brain and supports the nerve cells responsible for learning, memory and decision-making.
Sleep is essential for your brain to rest, recharge and perform key functions to keep your body healthy.
We know you know this. But at the risk of being a broken record, (and to give you that friendly nudge), be sure to get enough plant-based foods into your belly. Many doctors promote the Mediterranean diet for healthy brains.
Connect with people, have conversations and make new connections. Your mood, as well as your brain, will thank you.
Easier said than done, right? It’s important to do self-care, set realistic goals and boundaries, improve your time management and more. But it’s not always that simple. Feeling overwhelmed? We can help you with that.
When you do things that are challenging for your brain, you help form new connections and increase your ‘cognitive reserve’. Stretch your brain beyond the things you do everyday. If it’s easy, familiar or repetitive, try doing something new.
Brain-Stretching Suggestions
![Hand placing a piece in a jigsaw puzzle, illustrating cognitive activities and mental stimulation for individuals with dementia.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64f26c12ee69e12f5d4db130/650075e1a367ed85b6a0bedc_brain-boosting%402x.webp)
Challenge Your Norms
Do daily tasks with your opposite hand. If you’re right-handed, brush your teeth with your left, and so on.
![Man brushing his teeth, illustrating daily self-care routines and maintaining personal hygiene, important for individuals living with dementia.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64f26c12ee69e12f5d4db130/650075e09706dd9fc2dd5715_challenge-norms%402x.webp)
Learn Something New
Explore new things, like learning a new language, mastering a musical instrument, delving into a fresh hobby or sport, or enriching your knowledge.
![Hands playing a piano](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64f26c12ee69e12f5d4db130/650075e212045354ffc814d7_learn-something%402x.webp)
Articles For All
Small enjoyable activities make a big impact
Olga, a local nurse, shares how small activities can make a big difference for people living with dementia :)
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/66bb8ac753d5855fc0f7cf58_Note%20card%20envelope%20stationery%20set.jpg)
Empower people with dementia by giving them options
Just because a person has dementia, doesn’t mean they can’t think or make decisions. Here's how to offer choices.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/6661f5ec882db36c95c22b13__smallChoices_choosing%20from%20a%20menu.jpg)
5 Tips to Help Reduce Your Risk
If you're focused on eating better, moving more, or reducing your stress, you’re already on your way to reducing your risk.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/663122a12b989d256c377ac1_Woman%20riding%20bike.jpg)
5 Signs You Could Use More Support
Do any of these questions sound like your inside voice right now? If so, you're not alone...
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/66311385d3079ca424b77797_Woman%20leaning%20on%20fence%20on%20phone.jpg)
Are you living on a ‘lonely planet’?
You’re probably not imagining it. Your social circle may have shrunk or slimmed down.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/66311d4a6ee6fcb4100baf95_Walking_small.jpg)
Book ideas to help children understand dementia
If you have young kids, it can be tough to explain symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, particularly if you’re struggling to understand it yourself.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/6507a574c54363b3f1291b42_Screenshot%202023-09-17%20at%2018.18.38.png)
Keep the 'happy' in any holiday
A guide for anyone touched by dementia during a holiday season. Find balance and happiness, and avoid burnout.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/66311f840a81bca39da62847_Family%20dinner%20outside%20snapshot.jpg)
Thanks, Calgary, for your recent efforts
You shared your stories, helped spread the word, and even raised funds for the cause
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/65a06ec2a835759276cd941c_pexels-yan-krukau-8436715.jpg)
Downloads
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/64fe67bd71b5f82b71826e17_download%20covers-01.png)
Fundamentals for a Great Visit
Essential tips for meaningful visits. Learn about timing, the use of photos and just being in the moment sometimes.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/64fe67c96c52fe1a51fc597d_download%20covers-02.png)
Body Language Tips for a Great Visit
Did you know? Most human communication doesn’t happen through words.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64fa730eaac5c1c3d01da1ce/64fe67d28d0807849cd374e2_download%20covers-03.png)
Practical Suggestions for a Great Visit
Offering choices, asking yes or no questions, and breaking things down into steps can help.
Links
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