Communication allows us to express our thoughts, beliefs and wishes, and plays an important role in shaping our relationships with others.

So when Alzheimer's disease and other dementias strike, family caregivers may find it increasingly difficult to communicate and connect with the person with dementia.

Help is available, though, through a free tele-workshop, Understanding Communication, on Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m.

Family caregivers will explore how communication is affected by dementia, and gain insights about effective communication strategies and ways of providing care that focus on the needs of the person.

Tele-workshops are learning sessions designed for family caregivers, but are also open to health-care providers. They can be accessed via telephone, with optional online slides, recognizing that many caregivers are unable to attend in-person workshops. Connecting is easy. By phone, call toll-free 1866994-7745 and enter the participant pass code of 1122333. To use the website, go to momentum.adobeconnect.com/alzheimerbc and enter as a guest.

For more information on Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, visit the Alzheimer Society of B.C. website at www. alzheimerbc.org.