Dementia Caregiving Counselling
Someone you love has dementia, and no one has prepared you for this experience.
Whether that person is your parent, grandparent, spouse, partner, sibling, family member, or a friend - it is likely that dementia will change aspects of your existing relationship.
You are not alone.
If you’re in need of support for yourself while you care for your person with dementia, maybe it’s time to talk about it. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. When you’re ready, we can help.
Definitions and diagnoses are tricky - not to worry. For inclusivity and clarity, we use the word ‘dementia’ to encompass both Alzheimer’s disease (a specific brain disorder marked by symptoms of dementia) and dementia.
What is dementia?
“Dementia is a broad term [used to describe] a set of symptoms, [such as] memory loss, changes in mood, and difficulties with thinking, problem solving and language. While they may seem small at the start, they can affect the day-to-day lives of people with dementia.”
- The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada
How are dementia caregivers impacted?
With all the changes your person is going through, you may find yourself taking on additional roles and responsibilities in their care. Having no choice or control over such important changes in your life can be stressful and upsetting, and may start to overwhelm. When so much of you is needed for your person’s care, it can be difficult to notice when you might benefit from some support too.
Along with the practical matters to be considered, it is important to acknowledge the complex emotional impact of dealing with dementia. You and the person with dementia may be experiencing a variety of feelings in response to their dementia diagnosis - including, but not limited to - fear, sadness, anger, frustration, loneliness, confusion, resentment, embarrassment, and guilt.
Grief is a normal part of the process
When your loved one has dementia feelings of grief and loss are common, and can be recurring. Everyone’s journey through grief is unique. While grief is most often associated with death, it occurs with other types of loss as well. As you witness the changes in your person, you may begin to experience a type of ambiguous loss.
With dementia there is an ambiguous loss wherein the person is physically present, yet gradually they become psychologically absent. Often there are secondary losses involved, such as a loss of intimacy, that can create additional pain.
Visit our additional everwell resources on grief here.
Wondering if you could benefit from some added support?
Here is a brief quiz offered by The Ontario Caregiver Society that may help you reflect on your current levels of stress.
*Please note that this resource is a guide and is not intended to be a substitute for advice from a doctor or healthcare professional *
It can help to speak with a trusted person about what you’re going through, such as a therapist who works with dementia caregivers.
Some potential benefits to participating in individualized dementia caregiver counselling may include:
Having a space to share your experiences and be heard/understood
Recognizing and acknowledging the complexity of your situation
Support with navigating a changing relationship with your person
Exploring thoughts, beliefs, and feelings that are coming up
Connecting with the multi-faceted aspects of your identity
Discovering new insights and shifts in perspective
Developing strategies to cope with ongoing stress, grief, and guilt
Finding compassionate ways to care for yourself
How we can help
The transitions involved in moving through this experience can be challenging.
The work to care for yourself while you care for your person can take an enormous effort. It may feel hopeless at times. If this is where you find yourself, we invite you to connect with us.
For a while, we can carry the hope for both of us.
Average Cost
$130.00 - $160.00 ( per session )*
*Lower rates may be available through our Affordable Counselling program
Want to Know More?
References
What is Dementia? The Alzheimer Society of Canada
The Ontario Caregiver Organization Caregiver Wellness Quiz
Resources
National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly Ontario-specific Resources
Finding Your Way Ontario Living Safely with Dementia
University of Waterloo Living Well with Dementia
I-CAARE Indigenous Cognition & Aging Awareness Research Exchange