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Alzheimer Society offers education series

West Kootenay residents affected by dementia can access webinars and workshops
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A free educational series will help West Kootenay families and caregivers living with the impact of a diagnosis of dementia. Photo: submitted

Submitted by Alzheimer Society of B.C.

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. continues to provide West Kootenay residents who are affected by dementia with resources through its webinars and workshops.

Starting this week and running through the fall, the society will be hosting education sessions, many of which will focus on topics related to dementia and end-of-life care.

About 25 per cent of seniors over 85 have been diagnosed with dementia across Canada. With B.C.’s aging population, planning for the end of life becomes increasingly important for families to ensure the wishes of a person living with dementia are respected.

Many families affected by dementia might not know where to start when it comes to end-of-life care or even how to start talking about it. Through the upcoming webinars and workshops, they will learn about the types of decisions that need to be made, conversations to have, physiological signs that signal the end-of-life, and ways to cope with grief and loss.

“Not only is the information helpful from the education perspective, but it also provides an opportunity for families to engage in an honest conversation and find a starting point for planning,” said Laurie DeCroos, support and education coordinator, First Link, with the Alzheimer Society of B.C.

We have also invited special guest speakers to discuss topics including advance care planning, palliative care, and medical assistance in dying (MAID).

The first webinar goes on Wednesday, Aug. 24, from 2-3 p.m. for caregivers and people living with dementia.

Learn what to expect when transitioning from advanced dementia to end-of-life. Explore the physiological signs of dying, key decisions to be made, ways to discuss end-of-life wishes in advance, and strategies to maintain connection throughout the end of the dementia journey.

Introduction to Advance Care Planning webinar will air Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2-3 p.m.

Do you have a plan for your future health care and personal care? If you couldn’t speak for yourself, do your family and friends know what your healthcare wishes are?

Join our guest presenters from the BC Centre for Palliative Care to learn how to plan for your future care, also known as advance care planning, and come away with information and resources to help you get started. The sessision is for caregivers and people living with dementia.

A “coping with change, grief and loss” workshop will run Thursday, Sept. 8, from 10-11:30 a.m.

“Planning for health-care, legal and financial decisions” workshop will go on Monday, Sept. 19, from 2-3:30 p.m.

A “what is palliative care?” webinar goes on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2-3 p.m.

Dementia is a term that describes a general group of brain disorders. Symptoms include the loss of memory, impaired judgment, and changes in behaviour and personality. Dementia is progressive, degenerative and eventually terminal.

Go to alzheimer.ca/bc/en to register.



Jim Bailey

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