In these extraordinary times as we are all facing the collective global challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are united in the sense that no matter where we are in the world, we are being asked to minimise physical contact with everyone, and to support each other.
Thankfully technology is on our side, and people with dementia have been using it for many years to maintain or develop new friendships. DAI has existed entirely due to zoom, for all communications and meetings, so most of our members are used to it.
DAI is delighted to be able to share with you a number of additional peer to peer support groups which have been set up to support our members during COVID-19.
Although isolation and distancing is something many people with dementia experience once they share the news of their diagnosis, it has increased, and the basics of living have been made more difficult. Things such as shoppng, visiting family, attending a local advocacy or support group, all have been impacted by the restrictions that have been imposed on all members of the community.
An updated list of the DAI peer to peer support groups
Note: If you are not already in a DAI support group and wish to join one, please contact us at [email protected]
Weekly peer to peer support groups:
- Mondays 1:30 PM CST - NEW GROUP - co hosts Christine Thelker, Phyllis Fehr and Kate Swaffer, US/CA
- Mondays 10:00 AM ACST – co-hosts Eileen Taylor & Kate Swaffer, AU/NZ/SG
- Mondays 9:00 AM GMC – co-hosts James McKillop & Dennis Frost, UK/EU/SA/AU
- Wednesdays 1:30 PM ACST – co-hosts Bobby Redman and Kate Swaffer (Back up hosts: Alister Robertson, Cheryl Day & Eileen Taylor), AU/NZ/SG
- Thursdays 1:00 PM CDT – co-hosts John Sandblom & Wally Cox, USA/CA
- Thursdays 3:00 PM CDT – co-hosts Sid Yidowitch, Dallas Dixon & Kate Swaffer, USA/CA/AU
- Fridays 2pm ACST - NEW GROUP - co hosts Kate Swaffer and Eileen Taylor, AU/NZ/SG
- Fridays 2:30 PM CDT – co-hosts Christine Thelker & Diane Blackwelder, USA/CA
Living Alone Social Support Groups
- Sundays 5 PM GMC, co-hosts David Paulson & Julie Hayden, USA/CA/UK, weekly
- Sundays 5 PM AEST, co hosts Bobby Redman & Jo Browne, AU/NZ, NEW - now being hosted weekly
If you are not already in a DAI support group and wish to join, please contact us at [email protected]
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Tackling COVID-19: New Platforms and Resources
The World Health Organisation
The World Health Organisation provides daily updates on COVID-19, information on protectign yourself, data, technical advice and much more for us all to stay informed.
They also provide guidance on mental health and psychosocial support for health workers, managers of health facilities, people who are looking after children, older adults, people in isolation and members of the public more generally.
Please find below a list of materials already published.
- Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak
- Coping with stress during COVID-19 (available in other langages on the WHO website)
- Helping children cope with stress during COVID-19
Please send any feedback on these materials and suggestions for other materials that would be helpful to you during this outbreak to [email protected]
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
As part of the OECD’s response to this crisis, they have launched a platform that provides timely and comprehensive information on policy responses in countries around the world, together with OECD advice, in some cases.
Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI)
Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) is bringing together news, resources, stories, advice and support for anyone affected by dementia around the world, dedicated to resources relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have information or resources you would like them to share, please contact them.
Dementia Australia (DA)
In a coronavirus (COVID-19) update from Dementia Australia, they reported that Dementia Australia will be modifying the way they approach their service delivery and activity . They have however produced a number of very useful resources to spport us all during COVID-19:
Tips for people living with dementia
Tips for carers, families and friends of people living with dementia
Tips for residential care providers
Tips for home care providers
LTC Responses to COVID-19: International Long Term Care Policy Network
Resources to support community and institutional Long-Term Care responses to COVID-19. This website has been assembled by a hopefully growing team of volunteers working on Long-Term Care research, to provide a space to bring together all those really useful resources we were spotting on Twitter. Please join if you can. Adelina Comas-Herrera (@adelinacohe).
Please feel free to contact us if you have other information or sites for us to consider sharing.