Group activities for caregivers
At AQPA, a message is particularly close to our hearts: caregivers also have the right to be helped. Supporting a person with aphasia on a daily basis can lead to feelings of stress and frustration. Aware of this reality, AQPA offers various workshops to support caregivers.
Music therapy groups in dyads (caregiver - person with aphasia)
As part of this activity, a speech therapist and a music therapist team up and use music to promote moments of well-being and sharing, verbal and non-verbal communication, listening and support.
This activity offers participants the opportunity to use music to remember memories while sharing a pleasant moment as a pair. It also helps support communication in the dyad, by exploring different means and strategies to express ideas and feelings.
This activity provides the opportunity to interact with other people and develop tools to contribute to one's well-being.
We currently have two music therapy groups in dyads:
- A group aimed at people with primary progressive aphasia and their loved ones.
- The other group is aimed at people with aphasia following a stroke and their loved ones.
These two groups have the same functioning and the same objectives. They take place every two weeks, in person, at the National Institute of Music Therapy.
Music therapy group for caregivers
This group aims to offer tools through music to loved ones to support their own mental and emotional health and contribute to their well-being.
Sessions lasting one and a half hours take place every two weeks, remotely (on Zoom). The sessions are co-led by a music therapist and a speech therapist.
Support group and communication support for dyads (caregiver-post-stroke aphasic person)
This group aims to support people with aphasia and caregivers with issues related to communication, while creating a climate of exchange and mutual assistance.
This activity allows participants to receive information about aphasia, learn to use communication strategies and share their experiences.
It takes place in a closed group of 7 to 8 meetings per session. Meetings are held in person. Lasting two hours, they are led by a speech therapist and a psychosocial worker.
Support group and communication support for dyads (caregiver-post-stroke aphasic person)
This activity allows participants to receive information about aphasia, learn to use communication strategies and share their experiences.
It takes place in a closed group of 7 to 8 meetings per session. Meetings are held in person. Lasting two hours, they are led by a speech therapist and a psychosocial worker.
Group of dyads (caregiver-person with primary progressive aphasia) in partnership with Alzheimer Society Montreal
This activity allows participants to receive information on primary progressive aphasia, practice using communication strategies, discover different support resources and break isolation by sharing their experience with others. other families.
This group meets in person, at the premises of the Alzheimer Society Montreal, every three weeks. The sessions, lasting two hours, are co-facilitated by a speech therapist from SAPPA and a psychosocial worker from Alzheimer Society Montreal (SAM).
During the first hour, the dyads are invited to receive information, share their experiences or try out activities offered at SAM. During the second hour, the group is divided into two (caregivers together and people with aphasia together) to allow participants to continue to discuss their experiences.
Support groups for caregivers
This activity allows caregivers to receive support and escape isolation by creating new connections. It also allows them to share their experiences, strategies, resources, and to be valued in their expertise as caregivers. It is finally an opportunity for participants to take a brief respite while learning about aphasia.
We have three support groups for loved ones:
- A group for loved ones of people with primary progressive aphasia.
- Two groups are for relatives of people with aphasia following a stroke; either one in English and the other in French.
These three groups have similar operations and objectives. They are organized on a semi-closed monthly format. The sessions, lasting two hours, are led by a psychosocial worker and are held remotely (on Zoom).
Stress management group
This practical workshop allows participants to learn the impacts of stress in the body and to feel relaxation through the practice of exercises (e.g. breathing, stretching, self-massage, meditations).
This group meets remotely (on Zoom) every two weeks. The sessions last one and a half hours and are led by a psychosocial worker specializing in bodily expression.
