Alzheimer Society finding people living with dementia have become more isolated due to pandemic
January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. The Alzheimer’s Society of Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts is helping clients with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related issues stay connected. Many have become isolated due to COVID-19 restrictions throughout the pandemic.
Rita Brousseau, 93, is surrounded by a loving family, including her daughters Chantal and Johanne. Rita was diagnosed with age-related dementia in her late 80s.
"Throughout this journey, we have learned as a family that we need to rely on each other for support and not be afraid to ask for help when needed," Chantal said.
To keep busy, Rita spends time with her family and also participates in activities at the Alzheimer’s Society’s 'Health Bistro' twice a week for social interaction. She’s been attending for the last three and a half years. The family nicknamed it the "coffee club."
Rita said participants do various crafts, such as painting and colouring, and also play bingo and other games.
The Alzheimer’s Society is finding a lot of people living with dementia have become isolated due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic, most activities were forced to move virtually.
"Being able to continue going for your morning coffee, or your walks, going to social groups and day programs are all ways persons living with dementia can keep engaged," said Jessica Bertuzzi, the Alzheimer Society’s public relations and education manager.
As part of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the organization is offering online learning sessions about dementia while at the same time keeping programming steady for clients.
"We’re doing health promotion programs," said Bertuzzi. "We have a wonderful team conducting our ‘Minds of Motion’ program virtually."
For those living with the disease, like Rita and her caregivers, the pandemic has been a struggle at times. But the family is doing all it can to navigate through it.
"There’s a lot of planning and creativity and phone calls and scheduling happening behind the scenes to make sure every day goes by smoothly to assure mom’s safety and well-being," Chantal said.
As part of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the organization is encouraging those who know someone living with dementia to reach out to their friend or family member or even lend a helping hand.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.
Djokovic needs medical attention after getting knocked on the head by a water bottle at Italian Open
Novak Djokovic needed medical attention after apparently getting knocked on the head by a water bottle after a win at the Italian Open on Friday.