Dementia demands that family structures change, and there is no manual to teach Williams Lake families how to negotiate those changes.
Fortunately, that’s where the non-profit Alzheimer Society of B.C. comes in. It’s offering three free educational workshops next month in Williams Lake.
The Family Caregiver Series, on Wednesday, Oct. 8, provides practical techniques and strategies that caregivers can begin using immediately.
It will cover 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, and planning for the future.
The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Heads Up! An Introduction to Brain Health, on Thursday, Oct. 9 from 9 to 11 a.m., offers strategies and sets goals for improving the health of your mind, body and spirit.
Anyone interested in brain health is welcome to attend.
Later that day, The Transition to and Life in Residential Care workshop provides decision-making and strategies for easing the transition of a family member to a residential care facility. It runs from 1 to 4 p.m.
All workshops take place at Williams Lake Seniors Village, 1455 Western Ave. Pre-registration is required, by contacting Elizabeth Canjura-Jelks at 250-305-3191 or ejelks@retirementconcepts.com.
The workshops are 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, are available by contacting Tara Hildebrand at 250-377-8200 (toll-free 1-800-886-6946) or thildebrand@alzheimerbc.org, and visiting www.alzheimerbc.org.