Changing the future: Stephanie Moss

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month – and, as we start a new year, it’s a great time to think about what we want the future to look like for people living with dementia, for caregivers – and ultimately for everyone! With people living with dementia and their caregivers facing more social isolation than ever in an increasingly uncertain world, we’re doubling down our efforts to change the future for British Columbians affected by dementia. This year, people across the province are sharing their experiences and hopes for the future – people like Stephanie Moss of Nelson, whose mom lives independently with dementia in Ontario, close to Stephanie’s sister.

Stephanie's mother was 73 when they first noticed cognitive changes that concerned them. She seemed withdrawn and depressed – and when Stephanie visited her mother, she found her to be more anxious and uncertain. She'd stopped engaging with her social circle. At the age of 75, she received a formal diagnosis of dementia.

“We weren’t surprised,” Stephanie says. “Really, we were waiting for it. It was reassuring to have, because it meant we could finally talk about it.”

While they were adjusting to her mother’s dementia diagnosis, Stephanie’s father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer – which he eventually died from. The stress of the caregiving journey exacerbated the progression of her mother’s dementia.

Today, while her mother continues to live on her own, she struggles to stay connected, particularly in light of the pandemic. Online platforms like Zoom aren’t possible for her to navigate and she is less inclined to reach out to the people in her life on the phone. “You want to be able to see the person,” Stephanie shares. “You want to know how they’re handling the day to day.”

Stephanie, who followed in her mother’s footsteps and become a registered nurse, is no stranger to supporting people around her. She sought out the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and joined a support group before she eventually volunteered as a group facilitator herself. She hopes to see more resources for families who are affected by dementia, and the pandemic has highlighted the value and importance of respite for caregivers.

“We have a really close community,” Stephanie says, when talking about the impact of the pandemic on her community in Nelson. “Connection is the most important thing.”

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Learn more about the experiences of British Columbians affected by dementia and help us change the conversation – and the future! – for families on the journey.