5 Ways to Fill Your Cup

Get Educated. Education and understanding about dementia can reduce stress by helping you to feel more confident in your ability to care for a loved one living with dementia. Reach out to your local Alzheimer’s Society or Dementia Society to access programs, many of which went online during the pandemic.

• Download the Dementia Advisor app. Available for free from your App store, Dementia Advisor teaches caregivers how to handle various dementia scenarios in three-minute interactive sessions, from asking for help if you need it, to helping family understand the burden of caregiving, to what to do when you are burning out.

• Work Your Body. Exercise is an effective stress release. Some organizations offer virtual exercise and fitness programs that can be enjoyed alone or with your loved one. The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, for example, runs a Let’s Get Moving and a Pedal Power Program.

• Rest Your Mind. Mindfulness programs, like the one offered by the Reitman Centre in Toronto, can also reduce stress and help care partners stay grounded by enhancing the connection between a calm body and a calm mind. 
• Nourish Your Soul. Nourish, nurture and connect with other care partners at a free virtual Caregiver Wellness Retreat for those supporting loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Learn techniques to reduce stress, create a home self-care practice, and add mindfulness and other wellness tools to your toolbox from the comfort of home.