Alzheimer Society raising awareness in January
January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
Mary O’Connor, a client services coordinator with the Alzheimer Society of Kenora/Rainy River Districts, says the focus is to make residents more aware of dementia and its impact.
“Mostly this month, I focus on Dementia 101. What is dementia? How do you have a great visit with somebody who has dementia? All of those kinds of things is our awareness month,” says O’Connor.
The Alzheimer Society offers a variety of services at no cost to residents, family members and caregivers.
They are paid for in part from donations or fundraising through events such as Coffee Break.
One of the programs offered is known as The Social, formerly Memory Cafe.
“That is a place to get together for people with dementia and their caregivers in the early stages,” says O’Connor.
“We don’t ever talk about dementia, but we get together, and we play music. We do a craft. We have a snack, and it’s just a chance to get out and visit with other people.”
More than half a million Canadians live with dementia today.
The number is expected to reach as high as one million over the next decade.
Area municipalities are also helping raise awareness.
The town of Fort Frances is among those that have raised the Alzheimer Society flag this month.
Mayor Andrew Hallikasa encouraged others to learn more about dementia and its impact on Canadians.
He says no one should face dementia alone.
“Over half of Canadians are worried about developing Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia,” says Hallikas.
“Two-thirds of us worry about losing our independence if diagnosed. But even more troubling, one-quarter of us say that we would rather not know if we had dementia. This is stigma.”
“By understanding what people living with dementia experience in their day-to-day lives, their struggles, their successes, their hopes, together we can raise awareness of dementia throughout Canada and reduce stigma.”
Hallikas adds that the Alzheimer’s Society is the first place to turn for connection, support, community care, expertise and referrals.
For more information, visit the Society’s website Alzheimer.ca/krr/en or click here.
You can also call their Kenora office at 1-800-682-0245.
