The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Kelly Carrington Staff writer To help families and friends cope with the frustrations that come with an Alzheimer's Disease diagnosis, the Alzheimer's support group will once again welcome members of the community. Originally started in 1992, the group has been in the community on and off to help caretakers, friends and other family members of those living with the disease. Fran Labarre started out as a volunteer with the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba in 1992 when there was a strong need for support in the community. Needing that support once again, the group will meet for the third time, next week, since November. Labarre took courses in aging in university and was able to pass on the information learned to those in the support group. Though, she says, much of the information is self taught through research and listening to people's stories. 'Same stories' 'Hearing the same stories over and over again, I am able to help (those who need it) to develop strategies because you know what has worked well with others in the past,' said Labarre. The support group is open to all area residents dealing with Alzheimer's Disease in some way. The group is generally made up of sons, daughters, husbands, wives and friends. 'It's a support group for the caretakers,' said Labarre, stressing that the group is not for the person living with Alzheimer's Disease. See 'Dep...' on pg. 3 Continued from pg. 1 'It's a place where the caregiver can vent and be with others who are on this journey,' she said. 'It's a lonely, lonely journey.' Labarre says the number one risk of caretakers is depression. 'They need to be with people who understand what they are going through. Unless you're living it, you don't understand it.' The support group helps members to develop strategies and how to improve the quality of life for the person living with Alzheimer's as best they can. 'They learn communication skills to lessen the frustration. Communication is the number one issue,' said Labarre. Labarre says its important to learn new ways to communicate, such as through short and simple sentences. 'You (have) to speak slowly, face the person, and use calm body language,' she said. 'People with Alzheimer's read more into our body language and tone (of voice) than our words.' Labarre says simple sentences work the best and broken down into small parts. 'If you're wanting someone to help dry the dishes you wouldn't say 'I wash, you dry'. 'You would say, while handing someone the tea towel and a wet cup, 'here, can you dry these dishes?'' The group provides not only information on communication but the progression of the disease as well. Affecting one in three at the age of 85 and one in 13 at the age of 65, Alzheimer's is an age related disease that isn't going away. Members also receive support and encouragement from others. '...and the feeling they aren't alone,' said Labarre. After receiving a number of phone calls about the group, Labarre decided to start it up once again. It's open to caregivers of the surrounding area with meetings in the morning. People living with Alzheimer's have more trouble in the late afternoon and evening then mornings as their mind gets tired. A morning meeting, Labarre says, is the most practical time for caregivers to get away. Keep things simple She says some of the simple things caregivers can do to help make things easier on their family member or friend is to keep things simple and the same. 'If they have a favourite outfit and they are able to wear it easily, the caregiver should buy seven of them,' she said. 'It doesn't harm anyone that they look the same every day. 'Sometimes they just want their favourite things close by.' Keeping the same routine everyday is important. 'It's all the little things that make life go easier,' Labarre said, like keeping a simple wardrobe and limited food choices to be made. 'If they are used to eating oatmeal every day, don't switch it. Leave it the way they know it,' she said. The support group helps members realize that its the harmful behaviours they need to watch for, rather than the behaviours that cause discomfort. 'If for 49 years you were the first person at church and now you're late, are you really hurting anyone coming in late and maybe even leaving early?' A lot of the frustration and anger are from the caregiver because he or she is embarrassed from the actions, Labarre said. 'They aren't hurt, but embarrassed and frustrated,' said Labarre. 'We should only be concerned about behaviours that are harmful to themselves and others,' she said. To help keep the people living with Alzheimer's safe, Labarre says it's best to notify neighbours of the disease. 'Wondering can sometimes occur and they may not dress right for the weather. It's important for the neighbours to watch,' she said. Reducing Frustration Keeping it simple can help reducing frustration from both the caregiver as well as the person living with Alzheimer's. 'Sometimes people with Alzheimer's Disease don't recognize who their loved ones are and don't want them in their homes.' Labarre says down playing holidays can help reduce the stress and frustration. 'If the extended family lives far away and only visits at Christmas time, the Mom or Dad might not recognize (them) and wonder why all these people are in their home and eating their food.' Labarre says the holidays can be very stressful. The support group will help those who attend to learn to give as much independence as possible to the person living with the aging disease. 'Even though it affects the person with Alzheimer's, if really affects the caregiver.' For more information on the support group, contact Fran Labarre at 687-1355.
