Struggles and triumphs of navigating Alzheimer's disease during the pandemic
The pandemic has been hard on many of us, but for people living with Alzheimer’s disease, and their primary care partners, the past two years have been especially difficult.
Henry and Sue Fountain, a couple from London, Ont., is one of many families who have had to learn how to navigate the disease using resources they’ve been able to access during the pandemic to help limit isolation.
Henry, who was born deaf, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2018 – a life altering cognitive condition – which includes memory loss.
Sue Fountain says it’s becoming more difficult to communicate with her husband of 37 years
Staff at the Alzheimer’s Society say they have noticed people living with dementia have had their cognitive abilities decline faster due to the isolation caused by the pandemic.
For care partners like Sue, this has led to burnout.
“The pandemic hit at about the time that we were kind of adjusting to the whole system, it was extremely hard because were stuck at home, no contact,” said Sue.
That’s where the Alzheimer Society has come in with pandemic inspired programs including in-home therapeutic recreation where a trained therapeutic recreationist visits people to actively engage the dementia client with various activities, while allowing the care partner time for themselves.
“Gives me a little bit of a break, that I can go and do something for myself that I wouldn’t normally get to do,” adds Sue.
The other main program developed is an in-office program called ‘The Social,’ where a group of six people living with dementia get together once a week.
“They do games and they do art and they do all kinds of activities together as a group. Henry calls it coming to see the boys because they’ve actually grown to be very good friends, ”explains Sue.
Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners says different protocols are in place to ensure that the programs are conducted safely during the pandemic.
“We’re seeing about 60 clients a week in ‘The Social’ as well and again that’s providing some vital respite time for care partners, so we’re very excited about these programs,” said Chief Executive Officer of Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners, Carol Walters.
Henry and Sue’s story will be featured during the virtual Cabin Fever Reliever this year. An event being held Feb. 5 to help raise funds to support local programs for those living with dementia in Elgin, Middlesex and Oxford counties. Learn more here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.