Caregivers needed for alzheimer project
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NANAIMO — An Alzheimer Society of Canada educational program starting in November will provide central Island caregivers, who deal with dementia, the opportunity to explore the loss and grief issues associated with the illness.
“There is relatively little information about grief, or how to address it, associated with progressive cognitive decline or dementia,” said Dr. Penny MacCourt, project leader from the Centre on Aging at University of Victoria.
“Unattended caregiver grief can compound other stressors and increase caregiver distress and negative health consequences.”
The new Coping with Transitions program will connect caregivers with a skilled registered coach with extensive knowledge and experience in counselling caregivers of people with a dementia.
Participants are being sought immediately, for a face-to-face group in Qualicum Beach running Tuesdays from Nov. 3 to Dec. 8 from 1:30-4 p.m.
Participants must pre-register for the program by contacting MacCourt toll-free at 1-877-244-0419.
While in the program, participants will explore the loss and grief issues of the caregiving experience.
“The dementia journey requires ongoing adjustment to many changes over a long period of time that result in feelings of loss,” said MacCourt. “You are witnessing the progression of your family member’s dementia. The progression results in many changes: in your relationship, in shared activities, in roles and responsibilities, in dreams and plans for the future, and in living circumstances, to name just a few.”
The goal of Coping with Transitions is to identify tools and strategies for weathering the losses and provide a greater number of options for caregivers to better meet their needs.
— Black Press
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