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Articles - Alzheimer Society of Canada, Toronto Ontario Canada |
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| Alzheimer Society of Canada |
| Support Groups: A Lifeline for People in the Early Stages of Alzheimer's Disease |
| Date : - 14/12/2007 |
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"It was like opening the door to a sunlit room," says a member of Phyllis Dyck's support group, recalling the first time she attended a meeting for people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Never before had she been with other people who understood what it was like to live with the disease.
Caregiver support groups have been around for decades, but a growing number of support groups for men and women with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are being created in communities across Canada.
"There's a whole new generation of people who are saying, I've got a problem and I want to share this. I need help. I want to deal with this. I want to be informed," says Phyllis Dyck, an Alzheimer Society of British Columbia regional representative who facilitates support groups for people with early-stage dementia.
"Even people in their 80s who come forward have that kind of mindset. They are incredibly determined to live one day at a time and make a good life for themselves."
Each member brings to the group a lifetime of experience and takes away exactly what he or she needs.
For Kate Grant, 59, who lives in a log cabin she built north of Lakefield, Ontario, the support group provided the comfort of discovering "I'm not the only one."
For Cynthia Williams of Surrey,B.C., it's a place to share tips. Support group members have helped this multi-tasking 58-year-old realize that she needs to slow down and do one thing at a time. "Unplug the iron. Turn off the stove, before going off to start something else or answer the phone. These are the things we share, we learn with each other."
For Dale Griffith, 64, of Victoria Beach, Manitoba, it's an opportunity to use her nursing training of years ago to comfort another group member. "All I did was reach over and touch her. That's all she needed. She calmed down as fast as I touched her. It was just magic."
And for Chris Young, 73, a veteran newspaper editor from Ottawa, Ontario, the support group is "a lifeline" that is helping him make the best of life. "The facilitators help me understand the nature of the disease, the probabilities for the future and how to deal with what may lie ahead."
Communities that have no Alzheimer support groups may have adult day programs that offer opportunities for socializing, maintaining hobbies and other interests, and generally keeping active.
Mabel Morrow, 70, of Morrisburg, Ontario looks forward to Tuesday mornings at her local day centre. "I enjoy going mostly because you don't just sit there. If I'm not working at something, I can help someone else."
The Alzheimer Society currently offers early stage Alzheimer support groups in most major communities across Canada. The Society also provides telephone support, caregiver support groups, counselling, information and programs such as the national Alzheimer Wandering Registry that helps return people home safely after wandering. Society programs are funded primarily by donations from caring Canadians.
For more information about Alzheimer Society programs and how you can help, contact your local Alzheimer Society. |
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| Reference : - www.alzheimer.ca |
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