Alzheimer Awareness Month  (Advance January 26, 2003)

There is a good chance that someone you know is dealing with Alzheimer Disease - perhaps a family member or a friend.  Over the next 25 years, with our aging population, it is expected there will be an explosion in the number of people in our community with Alzheimer Disease and related dementia.

 Dementia is a syndrome consisting of a number of symptoms that include loss of memory, judgment and reasoning, and changes in mood and behaviour.  It can develop in adults at any age, but occurs most commonly in people over 65.  It is not a normal part of aging. 

Alzheimer Disease and related dementia take a heavy economic and social toll on the community. Dementia affects every aspect of life for people with the disease, their caregivers, family and friends.  This disease affects jobs, finances, retirement and physical and emotional health.   People with dementia tend to have fewer friends and relatives to count on beyond the primary caregiver than do seniors without dementia.  Approximately one third of caregivers in the community are over the age of 70. 

The results of a recent opinion poll commissioned by the Alzheimer Society of Canada show that 81% of Canadians feel they would be looked upon or treated differently if others knew they were diagnosed with the disease.  With education, there is hope that this stigma toward people with the disease could disappear.  Life does not stop with a diagnosis.

If a diagnosis is made while still in the early stages of dementia, and information and support are provided, the individuals and their caregivers can, and often do, cope quite well for the initial period.  Drugs are now available that treat some of the symptoms of Alzheimer Disease.  Often individuals and caregivers, however, do not receive help from health care professionals early enough in the disease process.  Unfortunately, it is often a crisis that provides the first link to service.

Many people with dementia and their families prefer to remain together as long as possible.  The lack of community and home based services can make this difficult.  Services must support people to live as independent and normal a life as possible.  In order to postpone institutional placement and prevent or alleviate caregiver burnout, a comprehensive and co-ordinated range of quality care and housing options are needed for individuals throughout the progress of the disease.  In particular, a full range of respite options for the caregiver must be available.

The Alzheimer Society is an excellent source of support.  You can:

·                      learn about the disease, including coping strategies for the person with the disease and
            caregiving strategies for family and friends.

·                      find the support you need whether with a telephone counsellor or a local support group

·                      register with the Wandering Person Registry to ensure that if the person with Alzheimer’s gets lost, there is help to return them home safely.   The Registry is voluntary and consists of a fact sheet and a photo of the person with Alzheimer’s.  The information is kept with the local police detachment, primary caregiver and local Alzheimer Society.

Alzheimer Muskoka offers monthly support groups for caregivers in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville and Parry Sound.  Support groups for people with Alzheimer Disease also meet in Bracebridge and Huntsville.  Please call them at 645-5621 or 1-800-605-2075.

Caregiver Meetings: