Every year at FRAMOS we ask our FRAMOSians to support an organization of their choice, through donation efforts. This year, one of the organizations is The Dementia Society of Ottawa, that was chosen by our FRAMOSian Barbara Blevis, People Partner.
What inspired Barbara to choose this organization, what does the organization do, and much more information can be found in this article.
There are 55 million people living with dementia around the globe. It is estimated that this number will rise to 139 million by 2050.
I do not think people really understand what a challenge it is like to care for someone with dementia until they must care for someone with dementia. It can be overwhelming, frustrating, and isolating. Through the free counselling services provided by the Dementia Society, I was able to get guidance to take care of my parents and make better informed decisions about my parents’ care. I also got the support I needed to maintain my mental health during such a challenging time.
The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County plays a crucial role in supporting individuals impacted by dementia by providing:
- Guidance and Support: The Dementia Society provides guidance and support for everyone affected by dementia, including individuals diagnosed with dementia, caregivers, spouses, children, and close friends.
- Education and Awareness: By raising awareness about dementia, the society helps reduce the stigma associated with it. When people understand the challenges faced by those living with dementia, they become more empathetic and supportive.
- Tailored Activities: The society offers tailored activities that provide hope and engagement for individuals living with dementia. These activities promote cognitive stimulation, social interaction, and emotional well-being.
- Community Inclusion: Knowing about the Dementia Society ensures that our community becomes more accessible and inclusive for those with dementia. By reducing stigma and fostering understanding, we create an environment where individuals living with dementia can participate fully and feel supported.
I think it is important for people to be made aware of the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County it provides vital support, education, and hope for individuals navigating the challenges of dementia. I was a recipient of services and I continue to be a donor.
In 2019, my parents moved from their home into a retirement residence. At the time, we were aware that my mother had a mild cognitive impairment, but she was deteriorating rapidly. Prior to the move, we had also noticed some changes in my father, but we wrongly assumed that it was due to his being overwhelmed by my mother’s increased needs and the many changes that were going on in their lives. It wasn’t until several months later that my father was diagnosed with dementia as well.
In January 2020, I attended my first Dementia Caregivers Support Group meeting. At first, for me, it was awkward and embarrassing. I felt like I was betraying my parents as there were other people in the group who knew my parents as members of the community. The group facilitator, Misia, contacted me a few days later to see how things were going. Through a lengthy discussion she was able to recommend another support group where I would feel more comfortable. She was able to direct me to community services and other resources I had no idea even existed. All the counselling services provided by the Dementia Society were free of charge.
Most people think that dementia or Alzheimer’s is just memory loss. Although my parents had essentially the same diagnosis, it presented differently for both of them. My mother’s behaviour changed dramatically; she became aggressive. On the other hand, my father became more passive, and he had more memory loss. He never lost his sense of humour, though you had to hear the same joke several times.
It was the support group that got me through this difficult chapter of our lives, and the sessions continued Zoom once the pandemic hit. Even though I was still the primary caregiver for my parents, I no longer felt quite so alone. I was surrounded by people in a similar situation. It was helpful to hear how other people were experiencing similar behaviours in their parent(s), spouse, or sibling and how they were managing. By the end of each meeting, I had heard and shared stories about living with and caring for someone with dementia. I almost always walked away from a meeting with a new nugget or two of information that helped me care for my parents or to navigate the health care system in Ontario.
The FRAMOS’s support through this Donation Program mean that the Dementia Society can continue to do the work that it does in supporting other people in a similar situation.
My parents have since passed, my mother in 2022 and my father in 2023 so, at this time, I no longer need the services provided by the Dementia Society. However, I stay connected with two women who were a part of my support group. There is an expression in English about “friends in a foxhole.” These are the people that have gone through an intense situation with you, so you bond together and remain close long after the event ends. I think of these women as my friends in the foxhole.
If you would like to know more about the organization visit the link: www.DementiaHelp.ca .
If you are willing to support the organization and become donator visit the link:
