Chaplain's Corner

According to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, 14.9% of Canadians over 65 experience dementia. Of course I work in a personal care home where in excess of 50% of our residents are experiencing dementia and in a hospital with a high percentage of geriatric patients, many of whom have dementia. That may explain why dementia is often a subject I reflect on.

Here at Bethesda Regional Health Centre staff development is important. One of our staff educators works exclusively with long term care staff and recently had a session on dementia care. She shared a short YouTube clip of Teepa Snow, a woman who has developed both a keen understanding of dementia as well as an equally skilled capacity to educate family and health care professionals in recognizing and caring for people with dementia. Please look her up and watch the clips. You will learn a lot!

One of the first obstacles families confront is accepting the fact that a loved one has dementia. There is no shame in admitting this and no shame in having dementia. Certainly it changes every one’s life, but embracing what “is” without shame, without trying to cover it up, without making excuses is important. No one is to blame when dementia is diagnosed. Doctors get dementia, housewives get dementia, university professors get dementia, and laborers get dementia. Dementia is a degenerative brain disease and the sooner we de-shame it, the faster we can get on with the work of adjusting to the new realities it brings.

Education is very important. That’s why I mention Teepa Snow and her contribution to educating people about dementia. Her presentations are dynamic portrayals and explanations of typical issues that dementia raises for those who experience it and those who support them. In one of her videos she speaks of the early warning signs of dementia.

1. Memory loss for recent information
2. Difficulty doing familiar but complex tasks
3. Problems with word finding
4. Confusion about time and place
5. Worsening judgment
6. Difficulty problem solving
7. Misplacing things
8. Changes in mood and behavior
9. Changes in personality
10. Loss of initiative

What should you do if you have a hunch your loved one is beginning to show the signs of dementia? First, check your own reactions. If you find yourself getting angry with a loved one because some of the above things are happening: stop, learn some more about dementia and understand that your once very capable partner or parent may no longer be able to perform as they used to. Second, begin keeping a journal of the symptoms. If you are finding that there are more and more indicators that something is wrong, take your loved one to the doctor with your journal and talk about what is happening.

Third, get some support. Up until recently we had very few resources in southeastern Manitoba to help families deal with the development of dementia in a family member’s life. Recently that has changed. The Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba has opened an office in Steinbach. Leona Doerksen is the Alzheimer’s Society of Manitoba’s regional resource person. Give her a call at 204-326-5771 she is there to support you. The Society offers a meeting on the last Wednesday of the month from 2-3:30 in Steinbach just for supporting spouses. A monthly meeting is also held the last Wednesday of the month from 7 – 8:30 p.m. for friends and family giving support. A meeting is also held in Niverville on the last Thursday of the month from 7-8:30 for family and friends giving support. If you are interested in this meeting call Bonny Friesen at 204-388-5000, extension 301.

Don’t wait. Your loved one may embrace a diagnosis, or may fight it, don’t worry about their reaction. Once you know what you are dealing with, at least you will know and knowing is the beginning of caring effectively.