With you, every step of the way
 

 

 		    
   

A Daughter's Love for her mother brings her to AGI

"We have been living with Alzheimer's disease since my mother's diagnosis in 2006. We lived through the stages of denial, fear, ignorance, sadness… we became a family in turmoil.

We didn't know anyone else who was dealing with Alzheimer's disease so we needed to educate ourselves in order to better help my mother.

Slowly we found our way, with help from AGI... activities for my mother, encouragement for my father, information, discussions, laughter... what a blessing this wonderful group was for our family.

Today my mother is in a very good, safe environment with her family involved in her care on a daily basis.

We appreciate all the kindness and support that AGI has shown to my mother and our family throughout the years, they are on the front line and I would encourage families to make that phone call."		  
Cathy Benny and family

 

 		    

Creating connections

 

I sit in a chair in the hospital room, reading a book, while my husband enjoys his afternoon nap. I keep glancing to see if he is ready to be awakened. I look at my watch. Yes it is time. I walk over to the bed, slip my left hand under his back, bend down, hug him, kiss his cheek, caress his face and say, “time to get up.” After several attempts he moves around, purrs and opens his eyes. He sees me and smiles. My day is going just fine. I hope his mood will last for the rest of the day.

The important matter is that we have made a connection. He knows I am there, he knows I love him.

The person with Alzheimer’s goes through many stages, and when time has brought him to the last stage, he requires special attention. His appearance has changed, his behaviour has changed, but inside he is still the same person you loved and married. He does not know he has changed and kindness and caring will make him feel respected and loved.
 

  



Etty Katz (editor’s note:
Etty’s husband, Issy passed away in 2014)

Here are some suggestions to have meaningful visits:
 
  • Play music. It can be very soothing and a way to reminisce of places where we danced to these songs.
  • Think of happy events that took place in your life together and speak of them. He may remember.
  • Mention the names of your children and grandchildren – it may produce a smile.
  • Remind him of his accomplishments and achievements during his lifetime.
  • Tell him people still ask about him and send him good wishes.
  • Do not argue with him when you visit. This will only agitate him.
  • If you are having a conversation with someone, include him in the conversation, so that he will not feel left out. He hears the conversation.
  • Find something to laugh about.
  • Encourage others to visit. It brings joy to his heart when he sees familiar faces.
  • Praise his behaviour at all times – say thank you when he responds to your requests.

Until such time that a cure is found for Alzheimer’s, let us do our best to create a connection between our loved ones and ourselves so that they do not feel neglected and alone, but loved and cherished, until they leave this world. 

 

 

 		    

The Importance of AGI’s Aisenstadt Activity Centre in maintaining self-identity


Marie Soleil Blanchett, Art Therapy Student

Marie Soleil is a university student subsidized by the Canadian Government’s Summer Job Program.

Over the years, we build our own identity; when this identity is threatened, or when it falls apart gradually, life can lose its very essence. Alzheimer Group Inc. is an organization whose mission is to create and maintain a sense of identity on a daily basis.

With the Aisenstadt Centre, we offer welcoming and varied support in a therapeutic environment where trust is foremost to those diagnosed with Alzheimer's patients, their caregivers, and their families. The Aisenstadt Centre continuously optimizes its activities in response to the strengths of its clients: their individuality, their autonomy and mostly their potential for accomplishment.

Even in the most subtle of exchanges there can be significant interactions that lead to positive change.

 		  


 


Marie Soleil Blanchett
Staffed by a creative and multidisciplinary team that is composed of recreation specialists, an art-therapist, certified animators and devoted volunteers, activities are developed based on specific objectives corresponding to the clients' immediate needs. Many aspects of a person's development are considered while organizing a day at AGI. Team members promote activities that provide holistic stimulation, combining the cognitive, the physical and the social. The client interacts with peers in a collaborative and respectful environment and is invited to share the richness of his own story. The team builds on the experience of each client since these experiences constitute the cumulative and determining dimension in forming identity. When we know our clients, their roots and their life passions, we can best move forward with them.

The key to these adapted interventions is to establish a balance between challenge and success, to ensure the client's involvement and a positive result. Completing a task brings on a feeling of satisfaction which translates in a sense of competency. When the client stays motivated in the face of challenge, he remains the actor of his own life and contributes to the development of his own personality. We know Alzheimer's disease leads to a gradual loss of memory and cognition but AGI is involved in accomplishments here and now.