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Guide: Write contact information of people you may wish to contact during your changes. These can include community resources.
For example: Family doctor, nurse practitioner, home care contact, financial advisor, lawyer, community center, spiritual support, grocer who will deliver food, pharmacist, friends, and family members.
Consider storing this list in your smart phone or other electronic device for quick access in an emergency.
,You need to keep yourself healthy and well (physically, mentally) in order to support others. It's up to you. No one else is able to do this for you. Below are two activities that may help:
Guide: Make a list of practices that help you to manage the stress related to your caregiving. Decide what you want to do (not what you should do, or have a need to do) and write some ideas below. For example, going for a walk, or connecting with other care partners. Plan for what you might do for yourself as your routine may have recently changed (and may continue to change).
Guide: Set a timer for 5 minutes. Do something for yourself.
Don't worry if you can't do it today, try again tomorrow.
If you wish to connect with other care partners online, please head to our new online discussion space DementiaTalk Canada to join the conversation!
,Some days may be challenging. Being reminded about the things that give you strength might help you.
Guide: Think about the things or people that help you and give you strength. For example, think about activities or accomplishments that made you feel your best. What or who makes you feel good or strong?
Advance care planning is how you discuss, plan and document your wishes for the health care you want to receive now and in the future.
It is never too early to begin the process, and so long as you are able to speak for yourself, it is never too late.
Compassionate Alberta provides Albertans with helpful information to assist with their future health planning. Visit their webpage to learn more about the 5 steps to start advance care planning and these key documents:
Move ahead to part 4 to watch a conversation with a lawyer about Personal Directives.
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This workbook guides you to think through what is most important to you about your life, health and personal care and to share this information with the people who matter most to you, as well as with your health care providers.
Completing this workbook will help prepare you and others to make important decisions about your care now and in the future. It does not replace formal advance care planning documents such as a personal directives or Goals of Care Designation Order.
Click the link below to access print and electronic copies of the workbook. You can print and complete the workbook by hand or you can complete it electronically. Be sure to save the file on your computer to save your work.
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Supported decision-making is an authorization process that enables someone to help a capable adult make personal decisions.
Even if an adult can make their own decisions, there may be times when they need help making personal decisions.
Supported decision-making allows for adults who still have capacity (the supported adult) to select up to three individuals (supporters) to help them make personal decisions – but not financial decisions.
This authorization could help a capable adult when they:
A supporter has legal authority to:
If you believe you would benefit from supported decision-making authorization, visit the Government of Alberta website for next steps and to access the authorization form.
A supported decision-making authorization form is not registered anywhere, so the supported adult and the supporter should each have a copy.
Source: Compassionate Alberta
There are two other key roles you’ll often hear about. These will be defined as you move through the parts in this session:
This session includes the following parts:
Part 1: Our Experience of Grief
Part 2: Anticipatory Grief
Part 3: Taking Care of Yourself
Part 4: Learning to Balance
Part 5: Questions for Reflection
Summary
Work through the various parts in the session at your leisure. Move from one part to another at your own pace and in the order that makes sense to you, based on your own needs and interests.
At any time, you may scroll to the Search bar and type a specific question or topic to learn more.
Click on the icon below to download and print a brief self-reflection activity sheet. The purpose of this tool is to help you think about what you have learned and to provide a space for you to document some of your thoughts and ideas for moving forward.
Home is an important place for everyone. For people with dementia, a familiar environment can help them connect with the past and maintain a sense of who they are. However, some practical changes may need to be made to keep the family home or the person’s space in a care home "dementia-friendly."
Every person with dementia will have different requirements for keeping a safe environment. Keep in mind some of the changes that occur with dementia:
Watch this video for suggestions for ensuring a safe home environment. Feel free to make some notes.
Here are some questions to consider for ensuring a safe environment for the person you are caring for at home:
This information is taken from the Alzheimer Journey, Module 2: On the Road
Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation (CMHC) offers simple and practical advice on home adaptations to help people living with dementia and their caregivers or housing providers create a safe, secure, and independent living environment.
Read about the CMHC’s Recommended Tips for adapting the home environment for a person living with dementia.
Progression Series: Late Stage
Communication is both verbal and nonverbal. Both means of communication are important, but nonverbal communication becomes an even more valuable tool when dealing with memory issues, especially in the late stages of dementia.
Watching other people and their body language helps us to understand a conversation better, as so much of our language can have different meanings depending on how it is stated.
Here’s a look at the detailed differences between verbal and non-verbal communication. Download and print a copy of the activity sheet. Take a few moments to review the information.
After you’ve read the activity sheet, take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions. Feel free to make some notes.
Communication - Day to Day Series
Enhancing Communication: A By Us For Us Guide
Recreation therapist Christie Oswald shares ideas about supporting a family member or friend living in a care home. These ideas can help ensure the best quality of life for the person living with dementia.
After you watch the video, take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions. Feel free to make some notes.
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Download and print a copy of the activity sheet below. Take a few moments to review the 44 things to do with a person living with dementia.
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After you’ve reviewed the activity sheet, take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions. Feel free to make some notes.
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Focus: Helping children understand Alzheimer's disease
Focus: Helping teens understand Alzheimer's disease
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Based on an article in The Sherwood Park-Strathcona County News by Gwen Randell-Young, this Motion Graphic Video illustrates the unpredictability of life and the need to continue during times of uncertainty.
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A notable quote...
"Life is a lot like sailing - you can use any wind to go in any direction." - Robert Brault
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