Dementia Friends Workshop Alzheimer Society of B.C. @AlzheimerBC #dementiafriendly 1
Alzheimer Society of B.C. Help for Today. Hope for Tomorrow 2
First Link Your link to dementia support ensures people living with dementia get connected with services as soon as possible after diagnosis as well as ongoing support when they need it. Support - One-on-one support - Support groups - First Link Dementia Helpline Education - Family Caregiver Series - Shaping the Journey: Living with Dementia - Tele-workshops - Heads-Up: An introduction to brain health - Other workshops Information - Bulletins - Website - Referrals 3
Dementia-Friendly Communities Create a heightened awareness about dementia. Support people with dementia to participate in their communities to the fullest extent possible. 4
What is a Dementia Friend? Someone who Has respect for a person living with dementia. Makes a person with dementia feel accepted. Focuses on a person s strengths and abilities. Knows it is better to offer assistance than to do nothing. 5
Alzheimer s Disease and Other Dementias Dementia is not part of normal aging. Alzheimer s Disease There are many types of dementia. Frontotemporal Lewy Body Dementia is progressive it is experienced in stages. Vascular Dementia Other 6
The Brain 7
What Might Not Be True About Dementia? 8
Myths About Dementia Dementia is not Strictly a genetic disorder. A disease that only affects older people. Normal aging/memory loss. Preventable. Curable. Caused by aluminum. 9
Myths About Dementia Dementia does not mean The end of a meaningful life. That a person cannot understand what is going on around them. That a person will become violent or aggressive. 10
How might you know if someone has dementia? 11
Signs of Dementia 1. Problems with memory. 2. Difficulty with familiar tasks. 3. Disorientation of time or place. 4. Unable to find the right words. 5. Problems with abstract thinking. 6. Challenges following conversations. 7. Poor judgment. 12
Small changes help make a dementia friendly community Courtesy Alzheimer's Society UK YouTube 13
ow can you help? 14
Start a Conversation Get the person s attention. Don t invade their space. Try to make eye contact. Ask the person if they would would like your help. Bring the person to a quieter place. Check for a MedicAlert Safely Home Bracelet or another medical identification bracelet. 15
Communicate Respond to feelings, not stories. Connect, don t Correct. Speak slowly and clearly. Make one point at a time. Allow time for response. Ask yes and no, or other closedended questions. Say things another way or try again later. 16
Be Aware of Your Body Language Maintain a positive attitude. Monitor the tone of your voice. Be patient. Be aware of your body language. Gestures. Facial expressions. Posture. 17
When should you get more help? 18
When to Seek Help Wandering Physical distress Severe emotional distress What to do: Ask to call a family member. Call 9-1-1. 19
Five Things to Share about Dementia 1. It is not a natural part of aging. 2. It is not just about losing your memory it can affect thinking, communicating and doing everyday activities. 3. It is possible to live well with dementia. 4. There is more to a person than a diagnosis of dementia. 5. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is here to help. 20
Share on social media: Spread the Word! @AlzheimerBC #dementiafriendly Spread awareness by encouraging others to become Dementia Friends at www.dementiafriends.ca 21
Get Involved! Volunteer Donate Participate in/support our events Host your own event www.anythingforalzheimers.ca 22
Alzheimer Society of B.C. www.alzheimerbc.org Contact Us First Link Dementia Helpline 1-800-936-6033 or 604-681-8651 (Lower Mainland) Email dementiafriendlybc@alzheimerbc.org to request more information about Dementia-Friendly Communities or Dementia Friends. 23