Caregiving for a person with dementia can be extremely challenging for Comox Valley 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 Jane Hope, the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s support and education co-ordinator for Courtenay and Central and North Island.

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 Hope.

That education can begin with a free Family Caregiver Workshop Saturday, Oct. 18 in Courtenay.

The workshop 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.

The workshop runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the lower Native Sons Hall, 360 Cliffe Ave. Pre-registration is required.

To register contact Courtenay Recreation at 250-338-1000 or Hope at 1-800-462-2833 or jhope@alzheimerbc.org.

The workshop is free thanks to partial funding by the Province of B.C., Provincial Employees Community Services Fund, RBC Foundation, Seacliff Foundation, Pfizer Canada Inc., Merck Canada Inc., Mott Electric GP, Lohn Foundation, Al Roadburg Foundation, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., Frank and Yvonne McCracken Foundation, and through the generous contributions of individual donors.

More information on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, as well as resources for living with their impact, is available by visiting www.alzheimerbc.org.