I am Living with Dementia
I am a person living with dementia. Whether I have been given a formal diagnosis or I'm concerned about my cognitive health, I could be living with dementia.
Summary of what Living with Dementia is:
You've likely been worried and anxious about the changes you're seeing in yourself. Now that you've been diagnosed, know that there are education and resources to support you. If you've just been diagnosed with dementia, you may need some time before sharing the news – or you may want to talk about it right away. Dementia impacts your cognitive, emotional, physical and social abilities. Understand how these changes can affect you and know how you can prepare and adjust accordingly to live well with dementia.
Education
End-of-Life Stage
Dementia is a life-limiting illness. How and when dying will come is a personal experience for everyone.
Late Stage
It is a natural human reaction to hope when facing challenges. When living with a progressive illness, what we hope for changes over time. Hope always remains present.
Middle Stage
Dementia may be something you have lived with for a while or a shorter time. As dementia progresses, the abilities of the person living with dementia change too. They are working hard to keep up with daily life and need an increasing amount of support to make sense of the world around them. As dementia progresses, roles and responsibilities change for everyone involved. All the changes bring new emotions and grief.
Early Stage
In the early stage, subtle changes in one’s abilities are noticeable to people living with dementia and/or to the people close to them. Everyone in the circle is re-arranging roles and responsibilities, consciously or not.
Protected: Caregiver-Centered Care Initiative
Caregiver-centered care is person-centered care for family caregivers. This approach respects and meaningfully involves the care receiver’s family caregiver in the planning and delivery of supportive services. It also recognizes and addresses caregiver needs and preferences and integrates family caregivers as partners in care.
La trousse du proche aidant - En établissement de soins de longue durée
Il s’agit d’un document conçu pour vous aider à vous préparer, comme proche aidant, en vue des changements ou des événements éventuels, afin de pouvoir prendre soin d’un membre de votre entourage vivant avec la maladie d’Alzheimer ou une maladie apparentée. « En établissement de soins de longue durée » renvoie à tous les milieux de vie destinés à des personnes âgées en perte d’autonomie, lesquels incluent des services et des soins.
My Tools 4 Care
My Tools 4 Care was developed to help you as a care partner as you care for a person living with dementia in the community.
My Tools 4 Care - In Care
This is a toolkit to help you as a care partner prepare for possible changes or events, so you can support your family member with dementia in care. “In care” means receiving 24-hour care in a facility, for example, long-term care.
Brain Health - Education Series
Act Today to Protect Tomorrow
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Exploring Nutrition Care: How Dietitians Can Support You on Your Journey Through Alzheimer's Disease Presented by Kristin Hruschak
Sexual Expressions - Learning New Ways to Cope Presented by Natalie Wilton
Practical Strategies for Understanding Sexual Expressions Presented by Natalie Wilton
Ask Us Anything Home Care Panel Presentation!
Exploring Nutrition Care Along the Journey Through Alzheimer's Disease Presented by Kristen Hruschak
Alberta Health Advocates and how they can work for you! Presented by Ryan Bielby
Health Link Dementia Advice Line Program
Lewy Body Disease in Aging and Dementia
The Music Advantage: Improve Mood, Memory and Motivation
Being prepared for the hospital - emergency to inpatient
Yoga for Aging Well
Optimizing Supportive End-of-Life Care for Frail Older Adults Living with Dementia in Long-Term-Care
Resources
Where can I find a list of resources to help me with care planning?
Here are four separate resource links that provide you with website addresses you may want to explore. These documents refer to Care Partner checklists. Please click here (Seeds of Hope Family Learning Series—HelpForDementia) to find the checklists associated with each stage.
Resources for Early-Stage Planning
Resources for Middle-Stage Planning
Resources for Late-Stage Planning
Resources for End-of-Life Stage Planning
What educational materials and emotional support are available?
The Alzheimer Society in your community can provide educational resources to help you learn more about the disease, referrals to help you access the practical support you need, and one-on-one and group support to help you cope with the emotional impact of the disease. Contact your local Alzheimer Society. Alternatively, try typing your question into the search bar above.
Is there anyone or anything that can give me a break in caregiving?
Ask family members and friends for their help and support. Take advantage of community programs that provide respite and relief from caregiving, practical help with meals or housework and assistance with the care of the person with Alzheimer's disease. And plan ahead for both the immediate future and the long term. These are just some of the things care partners can do to make their lives a bit easier.
Contact your local Alzheimer Society for help connecting to services such as support groups, counseling and information resources. Use the search bar above to find a Community Care Access office of Alberta Health Services close to you. They can provide information about publicly funded respite options.
