The Alzheimer Society of B.C. wants to ensure that people living with dementia and their caregivers aren’t forgotten.
While maintaining physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential, the society believes it’s more important than ever to provide support for the community’s most vulnerable residents. It’s inviting New West residents to go online to learn practical strategies about long-distance caregiving of family members who are living with dementia.
"During this time of increased isolation, many people affected by dementia may feel disconnected from support networks and will face unexpected challenges," said Susan Prosser, one of the society's support and education coordinators for the North Fraser region.
One of the ways the Alzheimer Society of B.C. is offering support is through free, weekly webinars, including one on May 13 that addresses the timely topic of long-distance caregiving.
"A person living with dementia needs more and more help as the disease progresses – and family members are often the first people to provide this help," Prosser said in a news release. "However, when family members aren’t living with the person – often in other cities, provinces or even countries – caregiving can present special challenges, even under normal circumstances. Long-distance caregiving is even more of a challenge in these uncertain times."
The Alzheimer Society of B.C. invites you to sign up for one of its free webinars:
Long-distance caregiving (Wednesday, May 13, 2 or 7 p.m.): Practical tips on providing meaningful, caregiving support from a distance.
“Why do I feel this way?” Coping with changes brought by dementia (Wednesday, May 20, 2 p.m.): Explore change and loss, and the uncertainty of the dementia experience.
Accessing care services during COVID-19 (Friday, May 27, 2 p.m.): Learn strategies for navigating changes in accessing services and how to get the most out of your interactions with care providers.
To register for any of these webinars, go to www.alzbc.org/webinars.
The Alzheimer Society of B.C. states that caring for someone long distance is even more complicated now that physical distancing and travel restrictions are in place, and notes that staying in touch from a distance requires regular communication and involving others to help. It offers a few tips for long-distance caregiving:
* Establish a routine: An established routine can be reassuring for everyone. Make a video call with FaceTime or other software, and call or write letters/emails to exchange news and find out how things are going. Keep in mind, however, that equipment may only be useful for those in the early stages of the disease.
* Contact the health-care provider: Arrange to meet the person’s health-care provider to get to know them. Establish a way to keep in contact.
* Maintain contact with other caregivers: Stay in touch with any caregivers nearby. This may include a neighbour, a friend or a relative who lives with, or near, your family member. It could also be a social worker or a staff person from a local Alzheimer society. Be sure to let these people know that you appreciate their help. Keep in mind the different viewpoints of close and distant relatives. On the one hand, you may be the first to notice a problem. Confusion or memory loss may have developed so gradually that others may not have noticed the change. On the other hand, because you are not there every day, you may not realize how difficult the situation is for the regular caregiver.
* Support each other: If another family member is providing care, talk with them and offer your support. Try to understand each other’s feelings and points of view and talk over what can be done. Find ways to support each other and to share responsibilities.
