A free educational program will help Victoria families and caregivers who are living with the impact of a diagnosis of dementia.
Shaping the Journey: Living with Dementia will be presented by the non-profit Alzheimer Society of B.C. starting in November.
“Participants will learn strategies to live with changes and maximize quality of life,” says Emily Pridham, the Society’s First Link program co-ordinator for Greater Victoria. “They’ll also review information needed to plan for the future.”
Participants will also meet others going through similar experiences.
“Education allows you to gain an understanding of what you and your family members are faced with, giving you the skills and confidence to maintain quality of life, both now and in the future,” says Pridham. “It helps families build the knowledge, skills and confidence to live well with dementia.”
Shaping the Journey is designed specifically for people experiencing the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. It is also intended for care partners, family members, or friends.
In five consecutive two-hour Wednesday morning sessions from Nov. 12 through Dec. 10, the program will cover: The Brain and Dementia; Hearing the Diagnosis; Maintaining your General Health; Life After Diagnosis; Planning Ahead; Maintaining your Spirit.
Sessions run from 10 a.m. to noon at Hillside Seniors Health Centre, 1454 Hillside Ave. Pre-registration is required. For information, please contact Emily Pridham at 250-382-2033 or epridham@alzheimerbc.org.
For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, visit the Alzheimer Society of B.C. website at alzheimerbc.org.
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