Skip to content

Dementia workshop series helps caregivers

Learning about dementia is a vital first step for families dealing with it, says the Alzheimer Society of B.C.

An increasing number of Saanich families face a journey with dementia. Learning about the disease is a vital first step on that journey, says the Alzheimer Society of B.C.

And education is a vital component of the society’s mandate in the Capital Region, where five free workshops will be held in August.

The society’s  Family Caregiver Series provides practical techniques and strategies caregivers can begin using immediately. Topics to be covered include effective communication, understanding behaviour as a form of communication, self-care for the caregiver and planning for the future.

The workshop runs on five Wednesdays, Aug. 6 through Sept. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

The society is also offering three workshops in August on Thursday afternoons from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Accessing Services (Aug. 7), designed for people who are supporting a person with dementia, will review strategies for accessing support through a variety of sources in the community. Transition to Residential Care (Aug. 14) provides information for family caregivers who are considering residential care options for a person with dementia. Life in Residential Care (Aug. 21) will explore strategies for making the adjustment to residential care.

Finally, on Wednesday, Aug. 27 the Society is offering a Heads Up: An Introduction to Brain Health workshop.

All workshops take place at Hillside Seniors Health Centre, 1454 Hillside Ave. Pre-registration is required. For information and to sign up, please call 250-370-5641 (press 2) or email WellnessCentre-Registration@viha.ca.

For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, please call 250-382-2052 or email mranderson@alzheimerbc.org.

editor@saanichnews.com