Alzheimer Society of Alberta has help for those in need

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on January 18, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories is hoping to connect people living with dementia and their caregivers to available supports throughout the month of January for National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

Here in Lethbridge the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories office opened back up in September last year, and during awareness month they want to make sure the Lethbridge and surrounding area community is aware of their free services.

The Lethbridge office serves communities in southern Alberta from Grassy Lake to the British Columbia border, and from High River to the Milk River area and it is run by two navigators and client services, Taylor Slomp and Colleen Beck.

Slomp said they have been reaching out to multiple organizations and healthcare professionals and to people living with dementia and their caregivers.

“We’ve been doing this by mailing things out to each and every doctor in the South zone, trying to let them know that Colleen and I are here in the Lethbridge office and are ready to serve the community,” said Slomp.

Beck added that they have many ways to help those affected by the disorder, through referral support, by helping them navigate the health system as it can become overwhelming.

“It could be a little bit of a rocky road to figure out how to acquire home care, or how to move into a continuing care facility. So we kind of jump into the driver seat and help you navigate those twists and turns to ease your journey with Alzheimer’s or Dementia” said Beck.

Slomp said they also want to make sure people know that Alzheimer’s is a brain disorder that is part of the umbrella term Dementia which covers a variety of brain disorders, as some people may think they are two different disorders, but once a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Dementia is part of their diagnose.

“Dementia is the umbrella term, kind of like Cancer is the umbrella term, but you have lung cancer, kidney cancer, all sorts of cancers,” said Slomp.

She said Alzheimer’s is the most common dementia disorders.

Beck said at the moment there is 59,000 people in Alberta that are affected with dementia and those are just the ones that actually have a diagnosis

“We know there are so many people out there that haven’t got to the doctor yet, who haven’t seen a geriatrician for that actual diagnosis so that number is huge and the number is growing,” said Beck.

She said the statistics say that three out of four Canadians know someone affected by Dementia.

Slomp said it is important to create awareness about Alzheimer’s and the fact that they have services to help those with the diagnosis and their caregivers, so they can reach out and utilize them.

“I think a lot of people don’t know we have these services and I think it’s quite beneficial for them. We have had amazing feedback about the services we have, like our First Link program where we give out calls to the caregivers and navigate with them every six months until 18 months and then annually,” said Slomp.

She said through that program they connect them to different health care professionals and community supports.

First Link includes information about risk reduction, living well with dementia, the latest research and advocacy efforts, as well as referrals to programs to help people manage the challenges that dementia can present.

“I think it’s pretty life changing and it’s pretty sad when you get a diagnosis and there’s not a lot of control that you feel you have, so we are here to show people that there is a chance for them to be in the driver’s seat again with this diagnosis,” said Slomp.

Beck added that their motto is ‘help for today, hope for tomorrow’ and she believes it speaks a lot about what they are doing to help those living with Dementia and their caregivers.

“I’d really like to highlight our care partners support groups, because the person that has the diagnosis often has a doctor involved and their care partner is involved, but what we can focus on is that care partner, how are they waiving through these waters, how are they able to help their person, and are they supported” said Beck.

She said often they support a person aging in place at home, which is where they should be as long as they can, as that is a comfortable and known environment for them and they want to be able to help them access services and support.

“It’s an honour to be able to run dementia care partners support group, so we invite people and their care partners to sit around the table in an open floor to talk about what’s going on, what’s their highlights and what are their challenges,” said Beck.

She said the beauty of the group is seeing folks that have been there and done that able to share their journey, their tips and tricks to others.

“You need to get creative sometimes, when you’ve got someone with dementia and they think it’s a different time and place, when there standing right in front of you now, but in their mind they’re back in their childhood, it’s hard and you have to get creative,” said Beck.

She said they offer support groups in Taber, Magrath and Lethbridge.

“Taylor goes out to Taber and does a group, I traveled to Magrath, and then we both take on Lethbridge. I think it’s safe to say we’re willing to outreach to anywhere in our area if there are people out there who need the support,” said Beck.

Beck said those in search for support can walk into their office or call and they will try to connect them with as many resources as possible.

“We have a resources library here, we have endless Alzheimer’s society resources to pass along as well as our knowledge and expertise to share,” said Beck.

She added on the second Saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m. they offer the First Link connections learning opportunity.

“You can walk into the office that day and stay with us for about an hour and go through a really great learning session about dementia, some stats we offer and we talk about the brain, what’s going on and why people do things the way they do, and then we finish it off with some great tips and tricks we’ve learned over this time,” said Beck.

The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories Lethbridge office is located at #40 1202 2 Ave South.

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