By Dementia Network Calgary

Training Course

COVID training reconnects lonely seniors with family caregivers

Sep 17, 2020 | 11:41 AM

A one-hour training course is providing confidence to family caregivers who are providing care to loved ones isolated in residential care facilities because of COVID-19.

Through a partnership with the Canadian Red Cross and the Government of Canada, the course is being offered at no cost to family caregivers in Alberta for a limited time.

The Canadian Red Cross provides a certificate for the “Preventing Disease Transmission” course. This instructor-led Zoom (online) session certifies caregivers in the use of personal protective equipment, and infection prevention and control measures aimed at mitigating the risk of infections including COVID-19 transmission.

“Family care partners are essential to the well-being of people living with dementia,” says Kim Brundrit, Dementia Network Calgary. “This program trains caregivers to use personal protective equipment with confidence in order to protect themselves, their loved one and the staff in the continuing care facility from infections like COVID-19. We hope to never again return to a lockdown situation in continuing care.”

People with dementia and their families suffered immensely during the four month continuing care lockdown. Family caregivers lost precious time with their loved ones and their own sense of purpose.

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“We have lost our last precious bit of time with her,” adds one family of person living with dementia in a continuing care facility. “She knew us all before COVID and by the time we were able to have an outdoor visit, it appears she does not know most of us. So physically, though she did not die of COVID, we did lose her during COVID.”

“With not being able to visit [my wife], my sense of purpose has been made more fragile,” suggests Daniel Gaetano, Family Care Partner. “There is always a sense of grief when your loved one has dementia, but now it comes more in waves. Thinking of the loss of friendship, intimacy, laughter and conversation.”

Participants can earn a three year designation and certificate following a free Zoom training session, by visiting dementianetworkcalgary.ca.

“This training has made me feel much more at ease visiting a care home,” says Cindy Bond, Designated Care Partner certificate holder. “The instructor took the time to answer all my questions. I not only learned how to protect others but myself as well”.

Officials say the training aims to address the challenge of protecting residents and staff from COVID19 infection and allowing access to family caregivers. Despite clear guidance from Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, barriers remain at some facilities, and people continue to live in isolation and without access to the support they need.

“Access to support from designated persons (other than staff) is supported as essential to maintaining the resident’s mental and physical health, while still retaining necessary safety precautions,” says Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta Chief Medical Officer of Health, in a July 23 public address. “Designated family/support persons shall never be overly restricted in their access to the resident(s) they support.”

The Designated Care Partner program is sponsored by The Canadian Red Cross in partnership with the Government of Canada and collaboration with the Health Coalition of Alberta, Caregivers Alberta, Health Coalition of Alberta, Alzheimer Society of Calgary and the United Way of Calgary and Area.

Additional optional free training offered by the Alzheimer Society of Calgary teaches skills for communicating with people living with dementia while wearing a mask.