%20copy%209%20(1).png)
We aim to advance dementia care and support for care partners through inclusive, equitable, sustainable and accessible services. We deliver our promise by focussing on 5 pillars:
-
Delivering service excellence
-
Hiring exceptional people
-
Development of leadership and community partnerships
-
Being fiscally responsible
-
Driving innovative care
Our Promise
Accessibility Plan 2025
Alzheimer Society Peel (ASP) understands that people with disabilities may have different needs, therefore we continuously strive to improve the identification, removal and prevention of barriers faced by persons with disabilities. ASP is committed to ensuring we are meeting the accessibility needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner. If an accommodation is required, staff members, volunteers, students, and contractors must advise their supervisor of what their disability-related needs are related to their duties. The Society will work with the individual in order to best accommodate their needs. Our guidelines that we follow include the following: The Society’s Accessibility Officer will complete the Annual Accessibility Status Report. The Society will continue to identify and remove barriers as outlined in our Accessibility Plan. New staff must read and review the Accessibility Training Guide during orientation and annually thereafter. All Society facilities and services are designed as inclusively as possible (i.e., ramps, emergency evacuation chairs, wheelchair accessible washrooms, etc). However, accommodation is a shared responsibility. Everyone involved, including the person requesting an accommodation must work together; exchange relevant information and look for accommodation solutions together. Staff must provide clients/caregivers that require support to access our services with resources. The Society will create an individualized emergency response plan for anyone with a disability that requires assistance in an emergency (i.e. during a fire drill, evacuation, lockdown). Each situation will be handled on a case by case basis and all information collected will be kept strictly private and confidential.
Bill of Rights
The Client Bill of Rights reflects Alzheimer Society Peel’s Mission, Vision and Values and Guiding Principles. As a service provider, The Society shall ensure that the following rights of persons receiving community services are fully respected and promoted. A person receiving a community service has the right to be dealt with by the service provider in a courteous and respectful manner and to be free from mental, physical and financial abuse by the service provider. A person receiving a community service has the right to be dealt with by the service provider in a manner that respects the person’s dignity and privacy and that promotes the person’s autonomy. A person receiving a community service has the right to be dealt with by the service provider in a manner that recognizes the person’s individuality and that is sensitive to and responds to the person’s needs and preferences, including preferences based on ethnic, spiritual, linguistic, familial and cultural factors. A person receiving a community service has the right to information about the community services provided to them and to be told who will be providing the community service. A person applying for a community service has the right to participate in the service provider’s assessment of their requirements and a person who is determined under the Act to be eligible for a community service has the right to participate in the service provider’s development of the person’s plan of service, the service provider’s review of the person’s requirement and the service provider’s evaluation and revision of the person’s plan of service. A person has the right to give or refuse consent to the provision of any community service. A person receiving a community service has the right to raise concerns or recommend changes in connection with the community service provided to them and in connection with policies and decisions that affect their interests, to the service provider, government officials or any other person, without fear of interference, coercion, discrimination or reprisal. A person receiving community service has the right to be informed of the laws, rules and policies affecting the operation of the service provider and to be informed in writing of the procedures for initiating complaints about the service provider. A person receiving community service has the right to have their records kept confidential in accordance with the law. 1994, c. 26, s. 3(1).
Canadian Charter of Rights For People With Dementia
The Canadian Charter of Rights outlines that People Living with Dementia have the right to the following: To be free from discrimination of any kind. To benefit from all of Canada’s civic and legal rights. To participate in developing and implementing policies that affect their life. To access support so that they can live as independently as possible and be as engaged as possible in their community. This helps them: Meet their physical, cognitive, social, and spiritual needs, Get involved in community and civic opportunities, and Access opportunities for lifelong learning. To get the information and support they need to participate as fully as possible in decisions that affect them, including care decisions from the point of diagnosis to palliative and end-of-life care. To expect that professionals involved in their care are: Trained in both dementia and human rights. Held accountable for protecting their human rights including their right to get the support and information they need to make decisions that are right for them. Treating them with respect and dignity. Offering equal access to appropriate treatment options as they develop health conditions other than my dementia. To access effective complaint and appeal procedures when their rights are not protected or respected.
Privacy
Protecting Your Privacy and Personal Information At the Alzheimer Society Peel (ASP), we are committed to safeguarding the privacy and dignity of those using our services. We do not share confidential information without your consent, unless required for legal or professional obligations. Our practices are in line with the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Accountability and Transparency The Alzheimer Society Peel is responsible for protecting the privacy of the personal health information we manage, in accordance with PHIPA. All staff, contractors, consultants, volunteers, and students are expected to comply with our privacy policies. The Chief Executive Officer and Privacy Officer are ultimately responsible for ensuring that our privacy practices are followed. Collection and Use of Information As part of providing healthcare, we gather personal health information either from you directly or from someone designated as your substitute decision-maker. We may also receive information from healthcare professionals involved in your treatment. We use this information to provide care, manage the healthcare system, improve service quality, conduct research, offer training, support fundraising, and fulfill legal or regulatory requirements. Examples of how we may use your information include: Evaluating and monitoring our programs Educating our staff to improve care Contacting you to gather feedback on your experience with our services Disclosure of Information Your Personal Health information may be shared with other healthcare professionals involved in your care. If you are unable to provide consent, we may discuss relevant information with your substitute decision-maker to obtain their consent for ongoing treatment. We only allow access to your information for individuals accessing their own electronic records or third parties who provide proper documentation. In exceptional circumstances, such as threats of harm, we may release electronic records without documentation. Except as required by law, we typically release records in summary form prepared by our staff. Access to actual records can only occur in the presence of staff, and copies will not be provided unless legally mandated. Consent By sharing your personal health information with us, you consent to its use and sharing with those involved in your care. If you choose not to provide or share specific information, you have the right to refuse. However, this may affect our ability to deliver quality care, or we may be legally required to disclose certain information. We will discuss any potential consequences with you. If we need to disclose your information for purposes beyond your healthcare, we will inform you and seek your consent. Expressed Consent In some cases, we need explicit permission to share your health information. For example, we will ask for your consent before sharing information with non-healthcare professionals, such as an insurance company or employer, or for purposes other than providing your healthcare. Third parties receiving your information may only use it for the purpose it was given or as required by law. Decisions on Your Behalf We assume you are capable of making decisions about your health information unless we determine otherwise. If you are unable to make these decisions, a designated substitute decision-maker will be asked to make them on your behalf. The law outlines the order of individuals who can be your substitute decision-maker. We will ask for their consent before sharing your health information. You may also designate someone to make decisions on your behalf in the future. Notices We display notices at various locations across our sites to explain why we collect, use, and disclose your personal health information, and how you can obtain further details. Accuracy We strive to keep your personal health information accurate, complete, and up-to-date, considering how it will be used and your interests. Safeguards We maintain strict security measures to protect your personal health information. All staff and volunteers must sign an agreement to comply with our privacy policy. We use current technology to safeguard your information and regularly monitor our internal practices. When we work with third-party service providers, they are required to adhere to privacy standards similar to our own. Access and Correction You have the right to access your personal health information by submitting a written request to our Privacy Officer. We will respond within 30 days, though additional time may be required for complex requests. If you believe there is an error in your information, you may request a correction. In cases where we cannot correct the information ourselves, we will guide you on how to proceed. Client Recording To protect the safety and privacy of all individuals involved, we have established guidelines around photo, audio, and video recording. Recording is generally permitted only with the express consent of all individuals being recorded. Unauthorized recording is strictly prohibited. Inquiries and complaints If you have any questions about our privacy practices or wish to file a complaint regarding our compliance, you can contact our Information and Privacy Officer at (905) 278-3667, ext. 357. You can also submit a formal complaint to the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario at: Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario 2 Bloor Street East, Suite 1400 Toronto, ON M4W 1A8 (416) 326-3333