In September of this year, the Alzheimer’s Association of British Columbia offers a free webinar on coping strategies for rapidly changing conditions for people with dementia and their caregivers.
The ability of a person with dementia to adapt to rapid change can be greatly affected by the physiological changes of the brain that lead to changes in memory, communication skills, and personality. Knowing how to work together while respecting the privacy of people with dementia is critical to getting past rapidly changing circumstances.
Behaviors have a cause
When a person with dementia behaves in a way that may seem strange or out of the ordinary, they often do so to express a need or to satisfy a need. For example, speed can refer to the need to get out and walk, while it is also a means of expending energy. Understanding why the behavior is occurring can help you strategize ways to respond and meet the person’s needs.
Take time to reduce stress
Being a caring partner for someone with dementia can be stressful and sometimes completely exhausting. Take time to de-stress and enjoy yourself. Meeting your own needs is crucial to being able to fulfill this responsibility.
Separate
Although awareness of current events is critical to our ability to respond to rapidly changing circumstances, obsession with news can be a source of anxiety and detriment to our response to these conditions. Limit time to absorb worrying information.
Upcoming webinars include:
Activities To Do At Home: (Wed 9 Sep, 2 pm) – Benefits of targeted home activities for families with dementia.
Prepare for Tomorrow: Health, Legal, and Financial Care Plans (Wednesday 16 September, 2 p.m.) – Plan now, before dementia affects your ability to communicate. Learn how to get started early in legal, healthcare and financial planning to prepare for your future. For caregivers and people with dementia.
Responsive Behaviors in a Changing Environment: (Wednesday, September 23, 2 p.m.) – Learn to adapt strategies to the rapidly changing conditions of people with dementia.
Accessing Services During COVID-19 (Wed, Sep 30, 2 PM) – Learn strategies to navigate changes in accessing services and how to get the most out of your interactions with caregivers.
To register for any of these webinars, please visit: alzbc.org/webinars.
The Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia is here to help. During this time of increasing isolation, many people with dementia feel disconnected from their usual support networks and face unexpected challenges. The Alzheimer’s Association of British Columbia is available to help anyone who lives in British Columbia with dementia. Anyone with dementia concerns or questions can call the First Link® Dementia Helpline, which is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Information and support is also available in Punjabi (1-833-674-5003) and at Cantonese or Mandarin (1-833-674-5007), available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, visit the Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia website at: alzheimerbc.org.
