Caring for a loved one suffering from a neurological disease has always been challenging. However, in today’s world, there are more resources available than ever before that can help you prepare for whatever may come. From technology to in-home care to day programs, there are many options to help plan for the future.

Caregivers need resources to help the ones they look after. There are many places to find free training to broaden one’s knowledge and find more focused care information.

Online

YouTube and online websites are excellent places to find free information.

• Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care – a YouTube channel that has an extensive library of videos catered to helping both caregivers and their loved ones. Teepa provides a positive, informative, and easy to understand approach to caregiving.
• Dementia Careblazers – a YouTube channel run by Natali Edmonds who specializes in dementia tips, tricks, and strategies for caregivers supporting loved ones suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and more.
• The Dementia Society– an organization offering information and help to caregivers and people suffering from dementia and other neurological diseases in Ottawa and Renfrew County. They provide information, courses, and free events to help educate caregivers on dementia, planning for the future, brain health, and more.

In-Home

Carefor offers many well-trained, in-home, care staff such as nurses, personal support workers, and rehabilitation experts. Carefor’s services range from information to in-home help to recommendations for aids, all aimed to help both the caregiver and their loved one remain comfortable and happy.

Day Programs

Carefor offers invaluable programs for both caregivers and their loved ones. The Adult Dy Programs at Carling, the Perley, and Finch are places for caregivers to give their loved ones the chance to interact with kind, caring staff and make friends with other attendees. The Let’s Get Together Cub provides caregivers with support for their mental health and the chance to socialise and enjoy some leisure time.

For people living in West Ottawa there is also Richmond Care Home, a boutique retirement home for women living with dementia, which now offers daytime and overnight respite at a cost of $25 a day and $200 overnight. Learn more.

More information

There are countless places on the internet to find information or resources to help caregivers learn more about what their loved ones are going through and what to expect in the future. Knowledge is power, and arming yourself with as many resources and information as possible will help you face the future head-on.