A new course is coming to the Island for anyone wishing to become a qualified caregiver in looking after people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

“It is open to all members of the community — anyone looking after an older person, anyone working in a professional capacity and anyone wanting to become qualified,” said Carol Everson, welfare case worker for the Bermuda Legion.

The course, dubbed “Keeping our Heroes at Home”, will enable loved ones suffering from dementia to be cared for at home, at a time of highly limited space in existing facilities.

It comes as new benefits from the health ministry come online for the Health Insurance Programme (HIP) and FutureCare plans. One such benefit is the personal home care services, for people with dementia who have at least one other functional impairment.

Personal caretaking, companion or homemaking services will be reimbursed at $15 an hour for a maximum of 40 hours per week, while Nursing Aide Services is reimbursed at $25 an hour for a maximum of 14 hours per week

Adult day-care services are also eligible for a reimbursement at $50 a day, to a maximum of $200 for seven days. There is a $60,000 maximum annual benefit per year, per policyholder.

Initially planned just for veterans and their families, the course was opened to all when the Bermuda Legion teamed with the international body Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI).

“It means that even a husband or wife can get qualified to look after their spouse, or for any member of the public who is assisting with the care of a loved one at home to develop their skills,” Ms Everson said.

The Argus Group has donated conference rooms for the course, which runs from November 16 to 26 at a cost of $75 per person.

Training sessions will be led by Nicole Batsch, a consultant for ADI and co-author of the World Alzheimer Report 2012. John Vos, deputy executive director of ADI, will also visit the Island.

New requirements are in place for caregivers, who must now have qualifications in first aid and CPR. Accordingly, the Bermuda Red Cross has offered to subsidise four people taking the course in November for additional training.

According to ADI, which serves as the international federation for 83 Alzheimer’s associations around the world, there will be an estimated 900 million new cases globally in 2015.

Ms Everson said the Bermuda Legion expects to train up to 50 caregivers through the course.

Bermuda, with a rapidly ageing population, is no stranger to the trend, but places in residential care homes are in short supply.

“One wonderful piece of news is that we have been offered the chance to purchase a centre at the back of the Sylvia Richardson Home in St George’s, which would be totally sustainable for dementia care,” Ms Everson added. “It’s already set up with bedrooms, facility rooms and four assisted-living units. We are looking to raise $1.5 million for it. We realise that the Government cannot assist at this time but we hope in some way to be able to access a property of 3.3 acres. This is a stunning opportunity.”

• For more information, contact the Bermuda Legion at 703-6180, 293-3975 or at nosoldierleftbehind@hotmail.com