The Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO) is the leading charity committed to helping people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia in Canada's Ontario province. The association's work has many dimensions, including providing care, support, information, and education to people living with dementia; funding research to find a cure; educating decision makers about the need for improved health-care services for people with dementia; and increasing public awareness of dementia and its impact on the family.
ASO's network of 38 member chapters across Ontario provide free support programs, educational resources, and referral services to ease the burden of care and improve the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer's and other dementia. Specific programs include memory clinics for early detection education, private informational sessions, family counseling, respite care, short-term overnight stays to alleviate caregiver burden, and art and music programs.
ASO also offers First Link, an innovative program that connects people who are newly diagnosed to local health professionals across Ontario. Another program, Safely Home, helps police find people with dementia who are missing.
Donations of Microsoft software including Word, Excel, and Visio have helped the association deliver a more professional level of service to its member chapters. The Microsoft donations have enabled the association to build its network and provide remote access to staff members. This has allowed the staff to better communicate with each other and collaborate on projects and documents.