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
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.