Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care
About this service
Specialized, person-centred support for people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. We build calm, structured days; use dementia-capable communication (validation, simple choices, gentle redirection); reduce risks like wandering and kitchen hazards; and coach families. In Alberta, you can also access 24/7 Dementia Advice via Health Link 811 for nurse assessment and follow-up, and community education through the Alzheimer Society’s First Link® and HelpForDementia resources—we coordinate alongside these supports.
Who it's for
- People with mild to advanced dementia who benefit from routine cueing, safety oversight, and meaningful engagement at home; AHS Home & Community Care supports ADLs and medication help after assessment.
- Families managing responsive behaviours (agitation, exit-seeking, sundowning) who want practical, non-pharmacologic strategies and a clear escalation path (811 Dementia Advice, family physician, AHS case manager).
What´s included in the service?
Daily structure & orientation
Consistent wake/meal/activity blocks; calendars, visual cues, and simplified decision points to reduce anxiety and confusion. (Dementia Advice/First Link reinforce self-management and education.)
Communication strategies
Validation (acknowledge feelings), brief phrases, one-step prompts, and redirection toward meaningful activities; focus on unmet needs behind behaviours.
Meaningful engagement & cognitive stimulation
Music, reminiscence, simple games/reading, light household tasks, short walks—paced to energy and attention, supporting mood and connection. (Alzheimer Society programs provide additional guided activities.)
Safety & wandering prevention
Home scans (stove/locks/lighting), pathway clearing, door labels, night-lights; planning for supervised outings and ID options. (Dementia-friendly home tips and wandering guides highlight lighting and wayfinding.)
Caregiver respite & coaching
Scheduled breaks and skill-building (how to cue, de-escalate, and structure evenings) plus navigation to Alzheimer Society groups/education.
Care coordination
Link to AHS case management for home-care assessment; integrate 811 Dementia Advice guidance into the home plan.
Frequently asked questions
How do we get professional dementia advice in Alberta?
Call 811, choose the Dementia Advice option. A nurse assesses your concern and, when needed, a dementia nurse follows up—available 24/7 province-wide.
What community programs should we know about?
The Alzheimer Society of Alberta & NWT offers First Link® early-intervention referrals, education (HelpForDementia), and caregiver supports; contact your regional office.
How do you approach “responsive behaviours”?
We look for unmet needs (pain, thirst, overstimulation, routine changes), adjust environment/approach, and use validation + redirection; AHS resources emphasize this root-cause framing.
What simple home changes help right away?
Improve lighting (especially at night), label key doors/rooms, clear pathways, and reduce noise/clutter—evidence-based tips from dementia-friendly design and wandering-safety guides.
Can public home-care hours cover dementia support?
After AHS assessment, Home & Community Care can authorize help with ADLs/meds and safety-linked homemaking; our dementia-capable approach is layered onto those visits, with private add-ons as needed.
Download our guide
Check out our guide to Home and Community Care.