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FAMILY CAREGIVER WEEK - Dementia education a key ingredient to reduce caregiver stress
The number of Canadians (65+) living at home with dementia is expected to jump from 55% (as of 2008) to 62% by 2038, translating into an additional 510,000 people. Most will seek some type of community care and will substantially increase the burden on both community-based services and caregivers. Informal care, from unpaid caregivers usually family or friends, will increase as care shifts away from care facilities.
The emotional and physical toll on someone caring for person with dementia is undeniable. Among the 10 telltale signs of caregiver stress include social withdrawal, depression, insomnia, decreased concentration, exhaustion, anxiety, and even an increase in health problems.
In the face of the rising tide of dementia, what can caregivers do?
Studies have found that interventions supporting caregivers and people with dementia can make a significant difference. For example, one research found that programs aimed to increase knowledge about dementia had a positive impact on a variety of outcomes including caregiver depression, health, and subjective well-being (Sorensen et al., 2002). Another research to evaluate interventions focused on skills training for caregivers in their new role found notable reductions in stress and depression and are also associated with improved behaviour by the person with dementia, as well as, the caregiver’s mood (Hepburn et al., 2001 and Bourgeois et al., 2002).
The Alzheimer Society of B.C. provides a variety of dementia education designed for the person with dementia and their primary caregiver.
Click on the title to learn more about dementia education offered by the Society and contact your local Alzheimer Society Resource Centre for information about an upcoming session:
- Family Caregiver Series
- Shaping the Journey: living with dementia™
- The Life After Diagnosis session is for the person with dementia, care partners and family members to learn about the diagnosis, different programs and services available in the community, the importance of planning for the future, and strategies for living well with dementia. For more information, contact your local Alzheimer Society Resource Centre.
- The Society also offers free and convenient access to education through its tele-workshops. It’s easy to participate from anywhere in the province and each workshop includes online materials (print materials also available upon request) to follow along while listening to the session on the phone. Register for an upcoming tele-workshop now.
