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Feedback on our “Wine, Women and Keeping our Wits” event at the Verity, 23rd April

I would like to announce some special guests that you will not find on our flyer. Joining us this evening are:

Peter Minaki the author of “The Big Book of Mediterranean Recipes”

Jacqueline Sallas-Syrett from “my Greek Olive Tree Inc”.

Christine Jonas-Simpson, RN, Phd, and Director York-UHN Academy and Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy.

On the evening of Thursday April 23rd, 2015, Mosaic Home Care Services held its second of three spring “Educational Series” at the The Verity Club. The “Wine, Women and Keeping our Wits Event” event focused on brain health and cognitive decline in older age.

Here is my (Jane) intro:

We welcome you to our second Mosaic Spring Education Series: “Wine, Women and Keeping our Wits” at the Verity Club for women.

What a wonderful setting! This exquisite space has been transformed from a 19th Century chocolate factory into one of the top private clubs for professional women in the world. The New York Times referred to Verity as an “old boys club for women”.

I would like to announce some special guests that you will not find on our flyer. Joining us this evening are:

Peter Minaki the author of “The Big Book of Mediterranean Recipes”

Jacqueline Sallas-Syrett from “my Greek Olive Tree Inc”.

Christine Jonas-Simpson, RN, Phd, and Director York-UHN Academy and Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy.

Alzheimer’s is an increasingly important and developing topic across our modern media. You may have seen the movies “Still Alice” with Julienne Moore and “Away from her” directed by Sarah Polley with actress Julie Christie.

What can we do to keep our brains truly active and healthy? To keep those neurons firing and our neural networks healthy and expanding.

For many of us our hectic lives and the inevitable juggling of family and work prevent us from the type of focus and care that our brain health needs. Women especially have historically taken the Lion’s share of family responsibilities, are more likely to fall victim to the stresses of multi tasking and are also more likely to develop cognitive health issues.

As we age, particularly in mid-life, we worry and wonder what’s normal?

What we do now know is that it is never too early to start to protect our brains and to make a difference in the pace of decline.

In addition to our speakers tonight you will also be able to take home a publication from the Women’s Brain Health Initiative, “Mind Over Matter”, and an article by Leslie Beck, a nutritionist and Verity Member, “Boost Your Brain with Food” which talks about the Mediterranean Diet.

As you will see around the room, Mosaic’s marketing team have organized a series of brain activities for you to view and information sheets to take home.

What about:

Learning a new language or new ways to cook?

Listening to different types of music?

Learning a new game, a new sport?

Music is also important as it stimulates and relaxes our minds. Tonight we have Jamie from the “Music Can Heal Group”. Their group plays with many percussion instruments and drums from around the world and have played for our many events at Mosaic.

I believe Joanne Tandoc, of the Alzheimer’s Society, will explore the benefits of music in her own presentation to us tonight, in particular the wonderful iPod Project for Music and Memory.

And so without much further ado I would like to introduce Joanne Tandoc who is the Public Education Coordinator at the Alzheimer Society of Toronto.

Thank you.

And here is a narrative (provided by our marketing team) describing the event in greater detail:

As the guests entered the library at The Verity they were encouraged to train their brain and entertain their curiosity and senses. Guests were treated to the tunes of the flute courtesy of Music Can Heal.

At each of their tables guests found vintage cards featuring images of celebrities, actors, musicians, & world figures from the past with interesting trivia questions relating to each person. Guests took turns asking & answering questions on people from the past.

Each guest also found a sprig of rosemary on their table, which included a small information sheet detailing the brain benefits of the herb.

Mosaic had also put together a “brain health” table. This table included information on brain health, games and activities that help to keep our brains active; a Scrabble board, Sudoku book, juggling balls, and language book were featured, all with a corresponding information sheet that detailed the brain benefits of each activity.

After a brief mingling period, the crowd sat down for a light, brain friendly dinner and entertainment and education by presenters and special guests.

The food for the event was tasty and healthy: a quinoa salad, fish, and olive oil. Each guest received a special sheet that described brain healthy foods and activities to protect and promote brain health.

As everyone began eating, author and Greek food expert Peter Minaki gave his talk. With the Mediterranean diet being labeled as the brain diet, Peter shared with guests the benefits and the foods unique to the Greek diet.

After Peter’s talk the main talk of the evening began with Joanna Tandoc from the Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto. Joanne gave guests a lecture with a focus on brain health and Alzheimer’s disease, which included causes, symptoms, and things that can be done about the disease.

Following Joanne’s talk, Christine Jonas-Simpson from the Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy spoke to guests about the academy, and the wonderful work the Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy is doing, which we have covered before.

After Chrstine finished her talk, the event came to an end, leaving guests well fed and a new wealth of knowledge on the subject of brain health and Alzheimer’s disease.

Mosaic will be hosting one more Education Series this spring on May 21st, as we bring back Audrey Miller back to do an encore presentation on “Caring For our Parents, Today, & Tomorrow” which is completely filled. If you missed out on the spring session of the Mosaic Education Series, Mosaic will be hosting another series in the fall. Contact Mosaic today to register for our Fall Education Series!

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