Women Doubly Affected by Alzheimer`s Disease
Transcription
Women Doubly Affected by Alzheimer`s Disease
Women Doubly Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease D id you know that women are doubly affected by Alzheimer’s disease? Of all the Canadians living with Alzheimer’s, women represent 72% of that total1. You know these women. They are the special women in your life – mothers, wives, sisters, grandmothers, aunts and friends. This month, Alzheimer Awareness Month, the Alzheimer Society has launched a nationwide campaign called The 72%. It aims to inform women in their 40s and older about the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, brain health and how the Alzheimer Society can help. Why women? Women live longer than men and age is a significant risk factor. That’s why there are more women living with Alzheimer’s disease than men. Yet the impact on women is twofold. They also account for 70 per cent of family caregivers2, which takes a tremendous toll on these women who eventually provide round-the-clock care. The burden is especially high for women raising families and holding down jobs. “The 2015 campaign is intended to make Alzheimer’s disease a women’s issue” said Deborah Barker, Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce. “With their busy lives women often pay a price with their own health and wellbeing. “The Alzheimer Society is encouraging women to become aware of and understand the warning signs. “If you are concerned about getting Alzheimer’s, if you have been diagnosed, or if you are a caregiver, we want you to reach out to our local Society. We can support you throughout the disease.” Know the signs The campaign’s call to action is for women to learn the disease’s 10 warning signs, not only for themselves but for those they care about. Warning signs, often misunderstood or ignored, are critical. In absence of a cure, early diagnosis allows for treatment and support so people can live as well as possible and start planning for their future needs. Over the past 20 plus years, support and programs and services designed to help people cope with dementia have flourished. Research is looking into both pharmacological and lifestyle means to help people manage the disease. “People with dementia can live long productive lives and their caregivers don’t have to go it alone,” Barker said. “Although there is no cure yet, there are many ways to help improve the quality of life for those with dementia. The Alzheimer Society of GreyBruce has many programs and services that can help make a difference “If you have any concerns or questions, please contact us.” For additional information contact the Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce at 519-376-7230 or 1-800-265-9013 or by emailing info@alzheimergreybruce.com You can also visit our website at www.alzheimer.ca/greybruce 1 Figure derived from data in the Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society, 2010. 2 Figure derived from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging Working Group: Patterns of caring for people with dementia in Canada. Can J Aging 1994; Vol. 13 no 4: 470-487 KNOW THE 10 WARNING SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE MEMORY LOSS THAT AFFECTS DAY-TO-DAY ABILITIES DIFFICULTY PERFORMING FAMILIAR TASKS PROBLEMS WITH ABSTRACT THINKING MISPLACING THINGS PROBLEMS WITH LANGUAGE CHANGES IN MOOD AND BEHAVIOUR CHANGES IN PERSONALITY IMPAIRED JUDGMENT LOSS OF INITIATIVE A small home with a big heart 519-794-2244 TURBITT Edward J Barker, CPA, CA - Flu and Shingles vaccines administered in store; NO appointment needed! S i T lt t Senior Tax C Consultant PHARMASAVE RR 3 HWY 6 & 10 CHATSWORTH, ON DISORIENTATION IN TIME AND SPACE Prompt Q P Quality li T Tax S Services i Edward Barker, 747 2nd Avenue East, Suite 4 Owen Sound, ON N4K 2G9 - Ideal Protein weight loss method; ONLY available here! - Free in-town delivery and after hours service! 1010 - 9th Ave West Owen Sound, ON. 519-376-0120 519.371.1648 • 800.634.5537 edwardbarker.ca@gmail.com www.edwardbarker.com COME AND SEE ME FOR BETTER HEARING HAVING TROUBLE HEARING? CALL ME. I CAN HELP! Brian Morassutti is an Audiologist with 26 years experience and was raised in Owen Sound. 1529 9th Avenue East • Owen Sound 519-371-6800 • www.soundspeechnhearing.com HANOVER CARE CENTRE / MCVEAN LODGE 700 - 19th Avenue, Hanover, Ontario N4N 3S6 Tel: (519) 364-3700 Fax: (519) 364-7194 Tasha Hamel, RN DOC Brenda Weppler, Administrator Where To Turn: The Alzheimer Society’s First Link Learning Series® Programs To be told you have dementia can be one of the most difficult and frightening diagnoses you will ever experience. To best deal with a diagnosis, you need to gather as much information support and guidance as possible to better manage the changes associated with the disease. Sandra Hong, The Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce education coordinator, said the local Society is one of several local societies across Ontario offering an educational program called First Link® that is designed to provide essential information for the person with dementia AND their caregiver. “The program also includes support and counselling services that will help both cope with the disease process from the point of diagnosis throughout the entire journey,” she said. First Link is designed to help: • Understand dementia, what to expect and how to manage it. • Manage dementia’s symptoms and improve your quality of life. • Navigate the health-care system and direction to services and support in your community. • Connect with others on the same journey. You are not alone! • Receive on-going support so that you feel more confident, whether you have dementia or are caring for someone with dementia. Hong said the Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce helps connect individuals with dementia and their caregivers to coordinated services in the community through partnerships and linkages between primary care providers, diagnostic and treatment services and community service providers. Here is an overview of each of the modules that make up the educational component of the First Link Learning Series: First Steps for People with Dementia and Caregivers: This four week series is designed for those newly diagnosed with dementia who have insight into their condition and are interested in learning what to expect. It educates them on topics such as memory loss, changes to the brain, coping strategies and directions for future planning. Next Steps for Families and Friend: A four week series for those caring for individuals in the early stages of dementia to provide an overview of the changes caused by the disease, coping and planning strategies and available community resources. Care Essentials: A four week series for family and friends caring for people in the middle stages of dementia. Topics include problem solving strategies for responsive behaviours and safety concerns and approaches for effective communication and coping with caregiver stress. Options for Care: A three week series to help family caregivers evaluate their current caregiving needs and explore other possible care options available, including adult day program, in-home care services, and long term care. Care in Later Stages: This three week series offers family members and friends of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias an overview of what to expect in the later stages of dementia, including topics such as recognizing pain and distress and providing comfort and quality of life. Each of the series sessions are facilitated by trained health care professionals. All sessions will also allow participants the opportunity to share their experiences and connect with others on a similar journey. “Please contact our local Society office for any further information,” Hong said. Additional information can be found on the Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce website www.alzheimer.ca/greybruce or by contacting our office at 519-376-7230 or 1-800-265-9013 or by emailing info@alzheimergreybruce.com Walk for Memories WALK FOR MEMORIES The annual Alzheimer Society of GreyBruce Walk for Memories is coming up at the end of this month and public support is more important than ever before. Alzheimer Society Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce Walk for Memories Walk for Memories is an Indoor Walkathon Date: Saturday January 31, 2015 Time: Registration for all walks opens at 9 Walks begin at 10 Presentations and draws at 11:30 Locations: Owen Sound – West Hill Secondary School Hanover – Hanover Heights Community School Meaford/Thornbury – Beaver Valley Community School, Thornbury Saugeen Shores/Kincardine – Huron Heights Public School, Kincardine For further information or to obtain a pledge form visit our website www.alzheimer.ca/greybruce Or contact our office at 519-376-7230 or 1-800-265-9013 or email btwaddle@alzheimergreybruce.com To register and collect pledges online or to support a walker you know go to www.walkformemories.ca “Walk for Memories is our biggest annual awareness and fundraising event and the success of the 2015 Walk is essential to our ability to provide information, education, support and counselling services,” said Deborah Barker, executive director of the local Society. Owen Sound at West Hill Secondary School; in Hanover at Hanover Heights Community School; in Meaford/ Thornbury at Beaver Valley Community School in Thornbury, and in Saugeen Shores/Kincardine at Kincardine Heights Community School, Kincardine. Registration for all Walks starts at 9 a.m., the Walks official begin at 10 and everything will be wrapped up by about noon. The Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce is a service organization with a staff of registered health professionals providing information, education, support and counselling services for individuals with dementia, and for their families and caregivers. “We look forward to seeing as many people as possible at each of our Walks,” Barker said. “Everyone knows someone who has been affected by dementia and the Walk for Memories is an opportunity to show support for and honor those whose lives have been impacted. “Only 60 per cent of our funding comes from government or other outside sources,” Barker said. “We depend on the generosity of the local community to make sure we can continue to meet the growing need for these services, and Walk for Memories is a key part of our annual fundraising efforts.” “We invite you to come out on a cold winter morning. We promise to send you home with a nice warm feeling.” Walk for Memories is a series of indoor Walkathons taking place on Saturday, January 31. This year we will be holding Walks in For more information or a pledge form please visit our website www.alzheimer. ca/grey-bruce or contact our office at 519-376-7230 or 1-800-265-9013. You can also register online or make a pledge to a walker you know at www. walkformemories.ca RCR Realty, Brokerage I am proud to support the efforts of the Alzheimer Society of Bruce-Grey Independently Owned & Operated Royal Canadian Legion Memorial Branch #6 Owen Sound Help to find a cure by supporting the Alzheimer Society. 2876 Hwy 6, Ferndale N0H 1W0 618 William St., Durham, Ontario N0G 1R0 Contact us today to book a tour! Please call (519) 364-3700 for Kate Schnurr www.canadiancarecentres.ca Pike Bay Rd., Pike 822 Bay N0H 2T0