January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and Alzheimer Society BC offers support for locals affected by the disease.
Julie Leffelaar works out of Castlegar and is the support and education coordinator for the region. She says that the societyoffers a caregiver support group in Trail that meets the second Tuesday of every month, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
“The caregiver could be a wife, a daughter, they may be living with the person, the person could be in care, the person couldbe in Halifax, so anybody who, you know, is concerned and watching out for someone who has dementia,” says Leffelaar.
Those wishing to attend the caregiver support group must contact Leffelaar first at 1-855-301-6742.
“People phone me and I can meet with them, and I send out packages of information. I send them all our printed matter abouthow to cope, especially with different stages,” she says.
Leffelaar will also be offering a workshop on understanding dementia in Rossland on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 3 to 4:30 p.m. at theRossland Public Library.
All the services offered by Alzheimer Society BC are free to families.