Information for the caregiver
As a caregiver for someone with dementia, you probably have a lot of questions. The Alzheimer Society aims to give caregivers all of the information they need to make informed decisions.
- Daily living
- Long distance care
- Planning for the future
- Ways to help
- Caregiver support
- Self care for the caregiver
- Helping children understand dementia
First steps for families
The First steps for families booklet, created by the Alzheimer Society of Canada, aims to help families of people who have been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. It provides information about dealing with the diagnosis, how Alzheimer’s disease can affect your loved one, how to deal with stress and what comes next.
Caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease can be a complex task. It can be frustrating, confusing, emotionally draining and physically exhausting -- even though it has its rewards and good times. Your local Alzheimer Society is a great resource for information and we encourage you to check it out.
To make caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease at home easier, get help with some of the day-to-day activities and tasks, such as personal care, cleaning, meals, household chores and taking the person to appointments.
Start by making a list of all the tasks that need to be done, and see if any family members are able to help. Some help may also be available through the Home Care Program in your area.
Quality care -- Guidelines for Care
The Alzheimer Society's booklet, Guidelines for Care, sets out 11 basic principles that define quality care for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, whether the person with the disease lives at home or in a long-term care facility.
Tough Issues -- Ethical Guidelines
The Alzheimer Society's Ethical Guidelines help people with the disease, families and health-care professionals raise sensitive issues such as: Do you tell the person he or she has the disease? Does the diagnosis automatically mean giving up driving? Is the person with the disease still capable of making decisions about his or her own care? Our information in Making Decisions could help you with some of these difficult questions.
MedicAlert® Safely Home® Registry
MedicAlert® Safely Home®assists police in finding a person who is lost and returning them safely to their home. It is a nationwide program developed by the Alzheimer Society of Canada in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Over 30,000 Canadians are registered.
For more information on programs and services offered in your province, contact your local Alzheimer Society.
Last Updated: 11/08/2017