Living well - Quality of life - Becoming a peer mentor or advocate

Being a strong self-advocate is one way you can help yourself and make sure your needs are met. Speaking up when you have questions or concerns can boost your self-image, leading to more fair treatment, higher levels of respect and greater consideration toward your needs.

Source: Compiled with permission from Alzheimer Society of British Columbia. (n.d.). Memory Problems? British Columbia, Canada: Alzheimer Society of British Columbia.

There are a number of ways you can begin the process of advocating for yourself, such as:

• Make sure doctors and other professionals explain information in a way that you understand. This may include the use of diagrams or explaining things more slowly.
• Volunteer with the local Alzheimer Society.
• Try to ask effective questions to make sure you get the information you need. A few techniques you can use when asking questions include:
  • Have a clear focus to your question. Consider what you want to find out from asking the question.
  • Ask questions in a place where you feel safe and secure.
  • Start off by asking questions that are more broad, working your way toward more specific questions.
  • Be an active listener. When you receive an answer, try sharing the response in your own words. This will help you retain the information.
• Have confidence in yourself

Sources:

Compiled with permission from Alzheimer Society of British Columbia. (n.d.). Memory Problems? British Columbia, Canada: Alzheimer Society of British Columbia.

Compiled with permission from the Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP). (2005). Self-Advocacy Workshop. In A Changing Melody 2005 Proceedings Manual. Waterloo, ON: MAREP.

Advocating for the dementia cause is a way for families, friends and members of the community to connect and come together, in support of persons with dementia. Group advocates work to ensure persons with dementia and their partners in care have access to proper services in the community. Advocates also focus on making sure the voices of persons with dementia and their care partners are being heard and valued.

You can volunteer for your local Alzheimer's Society. Volunteering is a way to build new friendships and your self-image, by working and helping others.

Source: Compiled with permission from Alzheimer Society of British Columbia. (n.d.). Memory Problems? British Columbia, Canada: Alzheimer Society of British Columbia. 

A peer mentor also plays an advocate role. They may offer moral support, helping to explain issues through open discussion and questions to other persons with dementia or their partners in care. Becoming connected as a peer mentor, or within a peer mentor group, is a great way to feel valued and to feel part of the community, whether you are being helped by or helping others.

Source: Compiled with permission from Alzheimer Society of British Columbia. (n.d.). Memory Problems? British Columbia, Canada: Alzheimer Society of British Columbia.  

There are several ways to become a peer mentor in your community, which include:

• Volunteer with the local Alzheimer Society and their day programs.
• Offer to speak at a local Alzheimer or community event.
• Connect with other persons with dementia in your community through support group.

Source: List compiled with permission from Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program. (2008). Tips and Strategies: A 'By Us For Us" Guide. Waterloo, Canada, University of Waterloo: MAREP. 

Anyone can be an advocate!

• Family and friends can act as advocates because they are often people who closely understand what you want and need.
• The Alzheimer Society provides support through information and a variety of resources such as local contacts (e.g., advisors and medical experts) to deal with early stage problems. They can also connect you with potential advocates if your family does not live nearby.
• Medical professionals can assist you in connecting with a local peer support groups closest to you. This can help decrease your feelings of isolation, depression and frustration.

Source: List adapted with permission from Alzheimer Society of British Columbia. (n.d.). Memory Problems? British Columbia, Canada: Alzheimer Society of British Columbia. 

• Someone who shares your goals.
• Someone who is caring, honest, trustworthy and capable.
• Someone who is willing to listen and understand.
• Someone who understands your needs and wishes.
• Someone who can communicate for you when you are not able to.
• Someone who respects your voice and lets your voice be heard as often as possible.

Source: List adapted with permission from Alzheimer Society of British Columbia. (n.d.). Memory Problems? British Columbia, Canada: Alzheimer Society of British Columbia.