New website helps caregivers work with people living with dementia

Online classes can provide caregivers valuable tools in less than 15 minutes

September 18, 2012 -- Deron Hamel

A new online training program is aiming to help families and caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia better understand cognitive impairment and learn about interventions to work with people who have these conditions, which affect about 500,000 Canadians, according to Statistics Canada.

Created by the Omaha, Nebraska-based senior care services provider Home Instead Senior Care, Help for Alzheimer’s Families includes online classes with components people can complete in less than 15 minutes. Supports people walk away with from the classes can immediately be used with people who are living with cognitive impairment, says Canadian gerontologist Dr. Amy D’Aprix, who helped develop the site.

Examples of information people can access through the website include details on how to help curb agitation in people who have cognitive impairment, safety for people with cognitive impairment and how to help individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementia live active lives.

Another segment called, Capturing Life’s Journey, explains the importance of gathering information about people’s lives before they were affected by cognitive impairment to help caregivers better understand the person.

At the end of each class you will find tips aimed at caregivers as well as a PDF course review detailing the information taught in the segment that caregivers can keep with them as a reference guide.

Additionally, Alzheimer's expert David Troxel is available via the website to answer any questions caregivers and families have about how to provide care for people.

Visit the Help for Alzheimer’s Families website for more information or to access the coursework.

If you’re a caregiver who has used this site, we would love to hear from you. If you have a story you would like to share with the OMNIway, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca.

If you have feedback on this story, please call the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 23, or e-mail deron(at)axiomnews.ca.






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