Dementia often brings about changes in behaviour and communication, which can dramatically affect family caregivers.
And with one person in Canada receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or other dementia every five minutes, it means many Delta families will feel the impact.
That's why the non-profit Alzheimer Society of B.C. is running its five-week Family Caregiver Series in Delta, starting Monday, Sept. 24.
The workshop provides practical coping strategies for family members caring for a person with dementia.
"It is through education that caregivers understand the disease and learn effective strategies to live with changing communication and behaviours," says Krista Frazee, the society's support and education co-ordinator for Delta-Richmond.
"With this new understanding caregivers become empowered and they are ultimately more resilient on the dementia journey."
The series runs from 10: 30 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m. on Mondays, Sept. 24 to Oct. 29 (no session on Oct. 8) at the Harold & Veronica Savage Centre for Supportive Care at Delta Hospice, 4631 Clarence Taylor Cres.
Pre-registration is required, and can be done by calling 604-238-7391 or e-mailing info.richmond@alzheimerbc.org.
Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions as they form a structured series.
For more information on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, visit www. alzheimerbc.org.
