Cowichan Valley caregivers are invited to share how arts strengthen their resiliency in a webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 23.
A caregiver plays an important role in the life of many people living with dementia. While it can be a rewarding process, it can also be stressful and demanding.
Finding interests and passions beyond caregiving can help reduce emotional stress and avoid burnout. A connection to arts across different media, for example, may help Cowichan Valley caregivers support their health and resilience on the dementia journey.
“I have found that being creative helps me get to deep areas of my being, where fragile emotions reside and are difficult to explain or even acknowledge,” says caregiver Lorraine delaMorondiere, who has years of experience caregiving for family members on the dementia journey. “Allowing myself to sink into the creative process enables me to gently reveal, validate and soothe those raw feelings.”
delaMorondiere is one of the speakers in an upcoming Alzheimer Society of B.C. webinar available to residents of the Valley and throughout B.C. The presenters will discuss the value of having a creative outlet. They’ll also provide suggestions about how to get started with artistic exploration as a way of coping and finding meaning as a caregiver for someone living with dementia.
“We hope to encourage all caregivers to find unique ways to relieve caregiving stress,” says Lori Kelly, provincial coordinator at the Alzheimer Society of B.C. “Artistic and creative activities can help you understand and reflect about yourself, which is a way to embrace self care. By sharing your art with others, you also receive community support, encouragement and inspiration so that they, and you, don’t feel alone, isolated and withdrawn.”
The webinar, “Lived experience: Caregivers’ creative expression of the dementia journey,” starts at 2 p.m. To register, visit alzbc.org/caregiver-creativity.
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Providence Farm is bringing back its Winter Craft Fair after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.
The fair is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission is free, and there will be two halls with a variety of vendors, pictures with Santa, a silent auction and food.
The craft fair is a benefit for Providence Farm, which provides more than 180 weekly program spaces to adults living with mental health, substance use, brain injury, age-related illness and developmental disabilities.
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Glenora Farm is also bringing back its Christmas Fair after two years off.
The fair is scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the farm at 4766 Waters Rd., Duncan.
There will be Glenora Farm products, vendors selling quality hand-made items, food, sweets, hot drinks, pictures with Santa, storytelling, children’s activities and crafts, and a hand bell performance by the Glenora Farm bell choir.
“Be prepared for an afternoon of Christmas fun on our beautiful farm,” say organizers. “We can’t wait to see you there!”