The holiday season is upon us, and many of us are on the hunt for the perfect gifts for the special people in our lives. If someone on your list has dementia, it can be challenging to think of gifts that are appropriate given the person’s changing abilities. But no matter the stage of the disease, the right gift exists that can bring them joy and support their quality of life. While you’re making your list and checking it twice,…
Imagine if someone you love goes missing. The worry can be agonizing. When the person has dementia, it takes it up a notch or two. That’s why MedicAlert Foundation Canada partnered with the Alzheimer Society of Canada in 2013 to help people living with dementia who are at risk of getting lost. MedicAlert’s service—along with its well-recognized engraved bracelet—was launched in 1961 to help emergency responders treat people quickly and effectively when they couldn’t speak for themselves. .
Part one: Becoming a force for change—Phyllis Fehr’s story This blog series is based on the webinar, “I am a person with dementia and a person with rights,” hosted by brainXchange and presented by Phyllis Fehr on December 13, 2017 (part one) and January 17, 2018 (part two). One day, Phyllis Fehr walked through the doors of a grocery store, and found confusion. Phyllis, who had been given a working diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s along with Lewy Body dementia at…
There are many ways you can be a friend to people with dementia in your community, whether it’s in conversation or looking out for someone’s safety. Check out these 5 tips, then visit www.dementiafriends.ca to become a Dementia Friend. 1) Communicate clearly Speak clearly and use short, simple sentences. Be sure not to speak too quickly or raise your voice. Remember that a person with dementia may not understand what you’re doing or remember what you’ve said. Be respectful and…