COVID-19 resources for health-care providers

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. works to ensure health-care providers have access to education and resources to equip them with the skills, knowledge and confidence to  improve the quality of life of people living with dementia.

To respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing measures put in place in community-based and long-term care settings to prevent the spread of this virus and protect the health and safety of health-care providers and those who may be at more risk. Dementia is already an isolating disease and any disruption in a person’s daily routine, including decreased access to stimulating activities or a heightened level of anxiety around them, can result in responsive behaviours, increased feelings of loneliness and may cause dementia symptoms to worsen. In turn, this can create challenging care situations for health-care providers.

This section provides resources for health-care providers to help them deliver person-centred care amid changing measures put in place to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We invite you to check back regularly as we continue to add new information.

Share your questions and stories with us

How are you supporting people living with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic?

We want to hear about your experiences as a health-care provider during this pandemic. This information will allow us to develop and share relevant resources and build a community of practice where health-care providers can learn from each other and develop strategies for supporting people living with dementia.

We invite you to share your questions, stories and strategies with us at dementiaeducation@alzheimerbc.org.

First Link® Dementia Helpline

The First Link® Dementia Helpline is for health-care providers and families. Helpline staff are equipped with the latest information on how to best provide person-centred care for people living with dementia in any situation. Health-care providers seeking answers to general questions, as well as advice related to specific concerns or scenarios, are encouraged to call the Helpline.

• English: 1-800-936-6033 (9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday)
• Punjabi: 1-833-674-5003 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday)
• Cantonese or Mandarin: 1-833-674-5007 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday)

Alzheimer Society of B.C. resources

Publications

• Dementia care during COVID-19: Understanding behaviour (Alzheimer Society of B.C.)
• Building a Strong Foundation for Dementia Care guidebook (Alzheimer Society of B.C.), including sections on: Understanding dementia, Understanding communication, Understanding behaviour and Understanding what families experience
• 10 communication tips (Alzheimer Society of Canada)
• Activities for people living with dementia (Alzheimer Society of B.C.)
• Dementia-friendly care homes: Best practices in dementia care (BC Care Providers Association, SFU Department of Gerontology and Alzheimer Society of B.C.)
• Guidelines for care: Person-centred care of people with dementia in care homes (Alzheimer Society of Canada)
• Providing personal care to people living with dementia (Alzheimer Society of Canada)

Videos and webinars for heath-care providers

• How you say it matters: Strategies for strengthening communication with family caregivers (Alzheimer Society of B.C. and Family Caregivers of B.C.) Accompanying resources: Communication resources for health-care providers and social sector professionals and Alzheimer Society of B.C. and Family Caregivers of B.C. resources

Learn from home through our dementia education webinars.

Make a referral to First Link® dementia support.

Learn more about our health-care provider education.

Other helpful links

The following resources, from sources outside of the Alzheimer Society of B.C., may be help provide guidance to those caring for people living with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic.

General COVID-19 information for health-care providers

• Clinical and health-care resources for health-care providers (BC Centre for Disease Control)
• COVID-19 ethical decision-making framework (BC Centre for Disease Control)
• COVID-19 orders, notices & guidance (Office of Provincial Health Officer)
• COVID-19 Ethics Analysis: Intervening When Patients or Residents Pose a Risk of COVID-19 Transmission to Others (BC Ministry of Health/BC Centre for Disease Control)

COVID-19 specific tips and guidance for supporting people living with dementia

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tips for dementia caregivers in long-term or community-based settings (Alzheimer Association)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Tips for residential aged care providers (Dementia Australia)
• COVID-19: Guidance for supporting clients who wander and require physical isolation (Baycrest, Behavioural Supports Ontario, Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto)
• Handwashing tips for people living with dementia at different stages of the journey (Positive Approach to Care, Video)
• The reference handbook of dementia care responding to COVID-19 (Taiwan Alzheimer’s Disease Association)
• Non-pharmacological approaches to support individuals living with dementia maintain isolation precautions (Behavioural Supports Ontario)
• The person behind the mask: Communicating with clients living with dementia while protecting ourselves (Alzheimer Society of Peel; Mississauga Halton Behavioural Supports Ontario)
• COVID-19 Advice and support (Alzheimer’s Disease International)
• COVID-19 Resources (brainXchange)
• COVID-19 Resources (Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto)

Mental health support for health-care providers

• Care for caregivers: mental health resources and support for health-care workers (Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division and SafeCare BC)
• Mental health and COVID-19 – list of resources (HealthLink BC)
• Staying safe at work – protecting mental health (WorkSafe BC)