The Dutch Lake Community Centre is hosting an interactive workshop next week for caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s disease called Dementia Dialogues.
The topic of the workshop is Transitions Along the Journey and the event, which takes place on Jan. 23 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., gives caregivers a chance to connect with one another and gain more insight about the disease and caregiving skills.
“(The event) is kind of a support group and information workshop all combined into one,” said Tara Hildebrand, support and education coordinator for the central interior of Alzheimer Society of B.C.
“The nice thing about a dementia dialogue is there’s a lot more opportunity for the participants to be able to ask their questions and make those connections with what’s happening in their own life, as well as with what’s happening for other people, and there’s also a bit of education mixed in their so they understand those changes.”
The event gives a chance to learn about a different caregiving topic followed by a guided discussion, as well as allow caregivers to share experiences and take home practical information.
Some of the things that will be discussed include understanding the process of change and how change affects decisions and expectations of caregivers and those around them.
Attendees will also learn practical coping strategies and how dementia affects behaviors and emotions for both the caregiver and the person they’re caring for.
“The workshop in Clearwater is called Transitions Along the Journey and what that is, is understanding all of the different changes that are going to be occurring,” said Hildebrand.
“Not just with the person living with dementia and the progression of their disease, although that’s a component of it, but more so than that, we’re also going to be delving into how that’s affecting the family and primarily and that main caregiver; what are the changes they’re noticing? Not just with the person living with the disease, but also with themselves.”
With this focus on the caregiver, the workshop will also look at what changes to expect regarding that person’s relationship with themselves and the person they’re looking after, how the caregiver feels about the change in the patient’s abilities and the fact they have to take on more responsibilities.
Hildebrand said the main benefits of attending Dementia Dialogues will be gaining a clear understanding of these changes they’re going through as well as insight about what to expect as the one they care for progresses through the disease.
“We talk a lot about what’s going to happen, what’s going to change with the person, but this workshop also focuses on what’s going to change for that caregiver,” she added.
“How it’s altering their life; there are a lot of feelings that come up with the change in what they’re experiencing, the different role they now have.
“For example, if I was a caregiver and I’m caring for my spouse, now I’m doing all of the things he or she used to do and the role is now all encompassing because this person is no longer capable, so (the workshop) is really talking more about caregiver specific changes and transitions and how things have changed for them and how they feel about that.”
Hildebrand said it’s important to note Dementia Dialogues is specifically for caregivers—those they care for, as well as healthcare providers, are excluded from attending because caregivers need to be able to ask questions about the issues they’re facing without the possibility of judgment from those not in their position.
Registering before the event is also important so organizers know how much material to bring and how much space will be needed for the workshop; to register call 250-377-8200 or 1-800-886-6946.
Registration can also be done by emailing info.kamloops@alzheimerbc.org.