According to a survey conducted by the Alzheimer Society of B.C. during the COVID-19 pandemic, 58 per cent of caregivers and 62 per cent of people living with dementia agreed the pandemic had increased their overall stress due to a variety of factors, including prolonged social isolation.
In an effort to address this, over the past few months, the Alzheimer Society of BC has been resuming many of the in-person sessions that were put on pause in March 2020, while continuing to offer online programming options to ensure that Sea to Sky residents can access the support they need in ways that work best for them.
“It’s exciting to see people interact face to face again and participate in activities to stay active and reconnect with others. You can see their smiles behind the masks,” said Celia Kowch, Minds in Motion® Coordinator at the Alzheimer Society of B.C.
“While many people have decided to return to in-person programs, we know they’re not for everyone. Others may prefer to connect to programming online from home, especially if they live in remote areas or are not ready to travel to physical events.”
Whether you attend dementia support programs in-person or online, the Society’s hybrid program options include education workshops, support groups for caregivers and people living with early-stage dementia, as well as Minds in Motion®– a fitness and social program offering a way for the people living with early-stage dementia and their care partner to stay active and connect with others.
Upcoming online session focusses on self-care
The upcoming webinar, “Staying healthy in a time of change and uncertainty,” will discuss self-care tips and techniques for both caregivers and people living with dementia. The free session takes place on Wednesday, April 27, at 2 p.m. PT.
To learn more about the Alzheimer Society’s in-person or online programs, Sea to Sky residents can visit alzbc.org/programs-services. To learn more about the webinar on self-care, plus other upcoming webinar topics, please visit alzbc.org/webinars.
