Caring for a loved one with dementia – and for yourself

Many individuals live well with dementia by staying physically active, eating healthy and staying socially engaged and connected to their communities.  

These same healthy lifestyle principles apply to caregivers of individuals who experiencing dementia. To maintain balance in their lives and build resilient resources, caregivers can join a caregiver support group and access home and community care services at Interior Health. Support resources offer caregivers an opportunity to journey alongside their loved one and can minimize the impact of the diagnosis on both.

The first point of contact for dementia care is often a family doctor or nurse practitioner. These individuals can point you in the right direction for services and resources in your community.

Interior Health’s Home and Community Care offers a wide range of supports and services for clients with dementia and their families. Getting help begins by contacting your local Interior Health Home and Community Care office. You can also call toll-free at 1-800-707-8550 to access seniors health services for yourself or to ask on behalf of your loved one. 

From there, one of our home and community care health professionals will work with you, your family, your family doctor or nurse practitioner and other health-care professionals to help determine what services will best meet your needs. 

Help with living at home and in-home care

• Home care nursing
• Home support services

Help outside the home in your community

• Adult day services
• Community care clinics
• Respite care

Help in your community

• Your local Alzheimer Society
• Better at Home - A United Way program that helps seniors stay independent
• Healthy Aging Programs for Seniors - United Way programs designed to help aging British Columbians remain active, connected, and engaged in their existing communities
• Seniors’ societies, such as the South Okanagan Seniors Wellness Society, offer a variety of programs 
• Tuktu - Provides family-like support such as housekeeping, shopping, pet sitting and more

In 2012, Tom’s wife started showing signs of memory loss. It took four years to get a diagnosis. Feeling frustrated and concerned, Tom sought support in his community though Interior Health and Lake Country Health early in his caregiver journey. He attended caregiver support groups and took advantage of respite care where a worker came to his home and stayed with his wife so he could rest and run errands.

Related Stories@IH: Caring for our caregivers - Tom’s story

Tom is just one of thousands of B.C. residents caring for a loved one. Caregiving can be both a rewarding and difficult experience. But when caregiving goes on for a long period of time, or when there are specific challenges in providing care, a caregiver may feel taxed and stressed. 

To be your best self for your loved one, your self-care is important. You can think of it like an airplane analogy of putting on your own oxygen mask first so you can help those around you. Learning new strategies in caring for the person and in caring for yourself can help to reduce stress. 

Caring for someone with dementia can be frustrating, confusing, and emotionally and physically exhausting. The good news is there are free resources that can help you take care of yourself and take the best care of your loved one.

Family Caregivers of British Columbia is a provincial, not-for-profit that supports over one million British Columbians who provide care. For more information, call the B.C. Caregiver Support Line at 1-877-520-3267.

• I have a friend or family member who lives with dementia (Alzheimer Society of Canada)
• Reducing caregiver stress (Alzheimer Society of Canada)
• Caring for Seniors (BC Provincial Government) 
• 211 British Columbia (Free and confidential service about community resources)

This is the third story in our four-part series on dementia and Alzheimer's disease in recognition of Alzheimer's Awareness Month. Learn about resources and programs to help people living with the disease and their caregivers lead fulfilling lives with the support of their community.

Other stories in this series:

Why dementia is not a normal part of aging and what you can do

How dementia is diagnosed and what to expect

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