Hello, I am Lee Reid, a retired counselor and elder who now volunteers with many community societies such as hospice or Nav-CARE, and in a long-term care facility. As dementia navigator with Nelson and District Seniors Coordinating Society (Sencoord), I will provide on-site welcome, reassurance, orientation and referrals for anyone concerned about dementia. My role will be education and referral to community resources such as the Alzheimers Society of BC or IHA Home Care nursing, or to IHA and other community Social Programs that are dementia-friendly. In collaboration with the needs of people concerned about dementia, I will build a flexible plan with you to optimise your quality of life. This could involve referral to community resources, connecting you to neighbourhood supports, and lifestyle education.
To make a Tuesday appointment at the Sencoord office, 719 Vernon Street (extreme right of the Civic Arena and up the enclosed stairs), please contact Sencoord at 250-352-6008.
Written byLiz Amaral, Danielle Bywater, Bob Schmitz, and Lee Reid
The Alzheimer Society of B.C., wants to ensure that people affected by dementia know that they are not alone. We are sharing the experiences of people affected by dementia who have found meaning, connection and joy after a dementia diagnosis, in part by connecting with us.
On January 17, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. partnered with the Nelson and District Seniors Coordinating Society and the Nelson Seniors Centre to do just that. A public information session about Dementia Friendly Communities was held and 44 members of our community attended to learn more about what a dementia friendly community looks like. Danielle Bywater, Support & Education Coordinator with First Link® at the Alzheimer Society of B.C in the West Kootenays, spoke about what dementia is, some signs & symptoms to be aware of and shared some strategies for communicating with a person living with dementia.
She also discussed ways to make our community of Nelson more dementia friendly and shared some work that is already being done by community members and the Alzheimer Society of B.C. to help achieve that goal. Coleen Driscoll, from Nelson and District Seniors Coordinating Society is beginning this work here in Nelson and is forming a steering committee to discuss what this can look like in Nelson. Lee Reid, Nelson’s 2025 Citizen of the Year and a volunteer with the Nelson & District Senior’s Coordinating Society, shared the work she is initiating as a dementia navigator in the community.
Although everyone’s experience with dementia is different, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. has heard from caregivers and people living with dementia that sharing from others who are also walking this path can help them to feel more supported and less alone. One individual who has embraced this is local author, Liz Amaral, co-author of Love in a Different Way: A Journey Through Dementia, an inspiring book she co-authored with her late husband David, that beautifully demonstrates how love and connection is still possible with dementia. The book is available at Notably here in Nelson and on Amazon. Liz is a lived experience partner with the Alzheimer Society, sharing her experiences with others who are on the journey.
Lee Reid, wrote the review of this book in The British Columbia Review. Here are excerpts from that article: “Author Liz Amaral has transcribed her husband David’s illustrated dementia journals into a compelling and intimate book. Their mission? ‘I want to give readers hope that love and connection is possible with dementia.’ In sharing their vulnerable story, the couple hoped to help others to recognize the early symptoms with dementia and to seek timely support. Although David died in 2021, his voice and art in their book is as authentic and fresh as Liz’s story about care-giving for 13 years.
David depicted their dementia journey as a canoe trip down the river of life. We see David and Liz afloat in a red canoe heading for the frothing waterfall. What saves them? What keeps him afloat? You will find clues in David’s compelling art work.
This book is about love. And loss. And life lived before dementia, throughout dementia, and after dementia. This book, this profound journey with David and Liz, shines light and courage to paddle our canoes throughout the rapids and waterfalls that life delivers.”
Nelson has always had a strong sense of community. As evidenced by the great turnout on at the Dementia-Friendly Community information session last week, there is a great deal of community interest and support for ensuring our city is a place where those affected by dementia feel supported, included and welcomed.
For more information about dementia and supports available, please call the First Link® Dementia helpline at 1-800-936-6033 or visit www.alzheimerbc.org.
