Caregiving for a person with dementia can be extremely challenging for families, both physically and emotionally.
As the disease progresses, you may be required to provide different types of support, from assisting with financial decisions to helping the person complete everyday tasks.
“At times this may feel overwhelming,” says Carly Gronlund, the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s support and education coordinator for Vernon and the North & Central Okanagan.
But there is hope.
“By educating yourself about dementia and learning caregiving techniques, you have the ability to maintain quality of life for both you and the person you are caring for,” says Gronlund.
That education can begin with the society’s free Family Caregiver Series, which runs on three Thursdays, Oct. 9, 16 and 23, in Vernon. The series runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The People Place, 3402-27th Ave., and provides practical techniques and strategies that caregivers can begin using immediately.
Topics to be covered include: understanding Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias; effective and creative ways of facilitating communication with a person with dementia; understanding behaviour as a form of communication; self-care for the caregiver; planning for the future.
Pre-registration is required. For information and to register, contact Carly Gronlund, toll-free, at 1-800-634-3399 or cgronlund@alzheimerbc.org.
For more information on Alzheimer’s and other dementias, visit www.alzheimerbc.org.
