Caregiver Grief and LossGrief and loss can be difficult for some caregivers. Explore resources to find some tips and insights for moving forward.
Caregiver Mental Health and Well-BeingSupporting your own health and well-being is important to prevent caregiver burnout. Explore our resources and find support that may help you in your caregiving role.
Emotions and Caregiving Our resources can help you understand some of the emotions you might experience on your caregiving journey and how you can manage them.
Dementia or Alzheimer’s DiseaseAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with neurocognitive disorders like dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Cancer DiagnosisAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with a cancer diagnosis.
AutismAccess helpful resources related to supporting an autistic person.
Developmental DisabilityAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with a developmental disability.
Heart ConditionAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with a heart condition.
Mobility ChallengesAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with mobility challenges.
Mental Illness or AddictionAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with mental illness and/or addiction.
Eating DisorderAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with an eating disorder.
EpilepsyAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with epilepsy.
Health Privacy & ConsentAccess resources to support caregivers in conversations about health privacy and consent.
Virtual HealthcareAccess information to help you plan for a successful virtual healthcare appointment.
Advance Care Planning Learn more about advance care planning and how you can help ensure the person you're caring for recieves the care they need.
Palliative & End of Life CareAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with palliative and end of life care.
Contingency & Emergency PlanningLearn more about contingency and emergency planning and how you can help ensure the person you're caring for receives the care they need during an emergency.
Caregiver Grief and LossGrief and loss can be difficult for some caregivers. Explore resources to find some tips and insights for moving forward.
Caregiver Mental Health and Well-BeingSupporting your own health and well-being is important to prevent caregiver burnout. Explore our resources and find support that may help you in your caregiving role.
Emotions and Caregiving Our resources can help you understand some of the emotions you might experience on your caregiving journey and how you can manage them.
Dementia or Alzheimer’s DiseaseAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with neurocognitive disorders like dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Cancer DiagnosisAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with a cancer diagnosis.
AutismAccess helpful resources related to supporting an autistic person.
Developmental DisabilityAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with a developmental disability.
Heart ConditionAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with a heart condition.
Mobility ChallengesAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with mobility challenges.
Mental Illness or AddictionAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with mental illness and/or addiction.
Eating DisorderAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with an eating disorder.
EpilepsyAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with epilepsy.
Health Privacy & ConsentAccess resources to support caregivers in conversations about health privacy and consent.
Virtual HealthcareAccess information to help you plan for a successful virtual healthcare appointment.
Advance Care Planning Learn more about advance care planning and how you can help ensure the person you're caring for recieves the care they need.
Palliative & End of Life CareAccess helpful resources related to supporting someone with palliative and end of life care.
Contingency & Emergency PlanningLearn more about contingency and emergency planning and how you can help ensure the person you're caring for receives the care they need during an emergency.
Home / Health Conditions / Supporting Someone with Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Forms of Dementia
Neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia are disorders of the brain. Caring for someone with Alzheimers’, dementia or other neurocognitive disorders can be challenging as the needs of the person you’re caring for evolve as the disease progresses.
Caring in the Early Stage
People in the early stage of a neurocognitive disorder may understand that they are changing and be able to talk about it. At this stage you might:
Encourage activities to stimulate their brain—puzzles, card games, etc.
Encourage visits with friends and family
Be flexible about routines
Try to be positive
Try not to speak for the person you’re caring for when they can’t find their words
People in the middle stage of Alzheimer’s disease or a neurocognitive disorder will need more help with daily tasks as impacts on thinking and memory progress. At this stage:
Focus on abilities that remain, not those that are lost
Avoid arguing—it’s not their fault their behaviour has changed
Look into support programs, services, and long-term care options
Install a chime or camera to alert you if the person you’re caring for leaves the home
During the late stage of a neurocognitive disorder, individuals become unable to communicate verbally or look after themselves. Eventually they lose the ability to eat, walk or use the restroom unassisted. At this stage you might:
Communicate non-verbally through facial expression or touch
Learn about how the 8 A’s of dementia can help understand behaviour related to brain changes, and how to communicate with a person living with a dementia diagnosis
Changes in personality and behaviour are common symptoms for people living with dementia. Learn more about behaviours changes and their impact on caregivers.
Receiving a diagnosis of any form of dementia can be distressing for both the individual diagnosed and their caregiver. The Alzheimer Society of Ontario is returning to OCO to discuss the progression and stages of the disease.
Join us to gain insights into:
The meaning of “progression”
The effects of these changes on both the diagnosed individual and their caregiver
Tips for managing the evolving dynamics of the relationship between the caregiver and the person living with the diagnosis.
Host Michelle Jobin is joined by Bhavini Patel exploring her journey on becoming a full-time caregiver for her father.
S1 E1 | 38 min
Becoming a Caregiver
What’s in this podcast:
Host Michelle Jobin is joined by Mieko Ise, Program Advisor for The Ontario Caregiver Organization, to talk about the realities of becoming a caregiver.
S3 E1 | 40 min
Walking Alongside Indigenous Peoples who are Seriously Ill: Education for Community Caregivers Curriculum
What’s in this podcast:
How Michelle Jobin is joined by Holly Prince and Jessica Wyatt to discuss CERAH, a Centre for Education and Research on Aging & Health at Lakehead University and discuss their experiences with caregiving and why this is so pivotal to Indigenous communities.
S3 E10 | 31 min
Caring for Parents with Siblings
What’s in this podcast:
Host Michelle Jobin is joined by Rick Lauber, a former co-caregiver who shared caregiving responsibilities with his two sisters to his aging parents.
S4 E4 | 43 min
Using Technology to Assist People with Dementia
What’s in this podcast:
Host Michelle sits down with Ron Belano to discuss his caregiving journey and the role of technology and community support in caregiving.
I’m a caregiver
Jeanne Caring for: Mother
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Jeanne’s Story: Navigating the Healthcare System
Caregiver Jeanne shares a few tips she’s learned while providing care for her mother who has dementia.