For people living with dementia and their caregivers, COVID-19 has made physical isolation and the feeling of separation from the community even more pronounced. It has also made the jobs of caregiving more difficult as caregivers worry how to care for their person while also keeping them safe.
On Saturday, Nov. 7 at 10 a.m., professor June Andrews, who teaches dementia studies internationally, will be the guest speaker of the Alzheimer Society of York Region’s (AS York) annual Forget-Me-Not Breakfast, this year taking place virtually on Zoom.
Andrews will talk about Caring for a Person Living with Dementia in the time of COVID-19, focusing on issues that affect York Region residents, as well anxiety, staying well, communication, medical emergencies and care facilities.
“COVID is hideous and alarming for everyone, but if you have a challenge already in your life, like caring for dementia, it makes things twice as hard,” Andrews said. “All the things that you know to do to help the person stay well, such as getting out and about and socializing becomes difficult if not impossible.”
Andrews will speak from 10 to 11 a.m., with questions and answers until 11:30 a.m.
The event is free. Email Carol Dowell, events coordinator, at [email protected] to register and receive a link.
Caregiving, Andrews said, “is very hard. And it can be very lonely. And there are things that you can do…But it boils down to one or two things: Make sure (caregivers) know you want to help, and ask them what they’d like you to do, and stick with them over time even if they don’t take up your offer at once.”
This is the second time Andrews has spoken at an AS York event. Last year’s event was filled to capacity.
For more information, visit bit.ly/JuneAndrews2020
Lisa Day is the communications and fund development coordinator at the Alzheimer Society of York Region.
