Skip to the content of the web site.

Past Conferences and Events

Changing Melody

A Changing Melody: A Learning and Sharing Forum for Persons with Early-Stage Dementia and their Partners in Care

4th Annual A Changing Melody Forum held November 17, 2007

Fourth Forum –Even Bigger and Better!

 

It was a true insight. From first walking in, we felt welcomed and embraced.  Everything was planned to make sharing and learning an easy process. Allowing us to settle into a spot and become familiar with it, and letting the conference happen around us, made the day so much less stressful! …We are not alone on our journey. (Person with Dementia)

Very well organized with excellent speakers who are obviously concerned and caring people. (Person with Dementia)

Very inspirational! Truly enjoyed the personal experiences with dementia. Will carry the experience with me and be an advocate for supporting those with dementia and their caregivers. (Partner in Care)

Excellent!!! It was so informative to have a combination of professionals as well as individuals with dementia discussing valuable information and providing enhancement of understanding re coping mechanisms with this illness. I was very impressed with the positive and uplifting information received. (Partner in Care)

Each year just seems to get better than the year before. WELL DONE! Everyone I   spoke with said they had learned so much (myself and my staff included) and had such a positive day. Thank you for all your hard work!" ( Professional)

The above quotes are just some of the comments we have received following the fourth A Changing Melody forum, held November 17, 2007, in Toronto. This learning and sharing forum, uniquely designed by and for persons with early-stage dementia and their partners in care, was hosted by the Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP) in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Canada (ASC), the Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO), and the Dementia Advocacy and Support Network International (DASNI).

The feedback that we have received from the 183 attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. This year’s event had the highest attendance yet and, as one forum attendee stated, “It was even better than the ones before, if that's possible”. In attendance were 50 persons with dementia, 70 partners in care, 39 professionals, and 24 staff and volunteers.

It is clear that all those involved with A Changing Melody are making history by actively working to transform meanings of dementia in this country and beyond. Other countries around the world have already held similar forums, or in the process of planning their forums, influenced greatly by A Changing Melody. Through everyone’s involvement in A Changing Melody, we provide a more positive, realistic look into dementia from the perspectives of those living with it, help people realise that they are not alone in their fight, and take active steps to break the silence of dementia that will hopefully reduce the fears and stigma associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. We believe that A Changing Melody will continue to have an impact on the way we think about dementia and those living the journey long into the future.

Two documents have been prepared as a result of feedback received from forum attendees. The first is a summary of the comments shared on the “Comment and Idea Cards”. Click here for a copy of the summary of the comments. Also, having received many requests, we have made available David Knight’s Keynote Address, which yielded a standing ovation at the forum. Click here for a copy of the speech.

Thank you to all those who made A Changing Melody 2007 such a huge success!