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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2014-01-15, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, January 15, 2014 Walk for Memories bringing awareness to Huron County Whitney South Huron Expositor Peeking through the ice and snow of winter, bright blue forget-me-nots can be seen popping up in communities across Canada this month. For those living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, the tiny blue flower is a symbol of the aware- ness and fundraising taking place throughout the month of January. Representing memory loss, one of Alzheimer's many symptoms, it reminds us to think of those battling the disease, as well as their familes and caregivers. The Alzheimer's Society of Canada website states an esti- mated 500,000 Canadians have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. With an increased number of cases being diagnosed each year, that number is expected to double by 2038. Organizations like the Alzheimer Society of Huron County are non-profit corporations supported by individual and community donations and special events fundraising, with some funding coming from the Southwest Local Health Integrated Network. Offering families everything from education and training, to support and councilling, staff come to work each day with the desire to assist seniors, as well as other people experi- encing dementia, and their caregivers to are dealing with the disease 24/7. Cathy Ritsema, executive director of the Alzheimer Soci- ety of Huron County, has experienced the hardships, and 'oys, of working with seniors for many years after discover - 'ng a passion for helping people early on in her career. "That's what brought me here, and that's what keeps me here too," she explained. "For every hour we spend with one of our seniors, to give their loved ones some help and some comfort - somebody to say, yes we know what you're going through - if we can even just give that little bit back, it's worth it!' With a constant need for community aid in raising funds and support for Alzheimer Societies across Canada, the organization's annual Walk for Memories is just one way people can help, according to Ritsema. "This is our largest fundraiser of the year," she said. "You can register as a team or as an individual in order to contribute." The Walk for Memories is the largest fundraising event in Ontario, and is dedicated to increasing awareness, as well as raise funds for research, vital programs and other services. Though most see Alzheimer's as a disease that affects only the mind, few realize that it's actually fatal. According to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada, Alzheim- er's not only robs people of their memory, it destroys brain cells, causing the body to forget how to perform even the simplest tasks in order to survive, such as talk, move or eat. Jennifer Burns, First Link and support services coordina- tor with the Alzehimer Society of Huron County, has been working with individuals with dementia for over a decade and says working with families is what keeps her going. "I support people within the Clinton and Seaforth area," she said. "We do a lot of things like group and family infor- mation sessions as well as an early stage group. It's really important, once a diagnosis happens, to stay connected to other people, and so we talk about building that network of support!' For Burns, providing the right amount of understand at the right time is one of the most imporant things to remem- ber when dealing with someone with dementia. Just because someone has been diagnosed with a form of dementia, doesn't mean they need constant aid and supervision right away, and it's vital for families to seek out information and not become overwhelmed. "It's all about the key phrase - see me, not my disease," she explained. "They are a person first and foremost, and a really big part of the stigma is the fear of interacting with the person because we don't know how they're going to act. But it's about understanding the disease, and why someone may react the way they do." With education being a big part of what the society is all about, Burns she hopes this month's fundraising walk and information sessions will help rid many of the stigmas that plague the many people living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. "People live with dementia everyday and they're a huge part of our community," she said, adding all of the money raised by the walk will go directly to services provided in Huron County. "With the right kind of support in place, we can really help these people:' This year's Walk for Memories will take place Saturday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at several locations across Huron County, including Seaforth, Clinton, Exeter, Goderich and Wingham. For more information on the Alzhiemer Society of Huron County, as well as events going on throughout the month of January, visit www.alzheimer.ca/huroncounty, or to find a Walk for Memories near you, visit www.wallcformemories. ca. Dementia: ten things you should know Changes in a person in the early stages of dementia can sometimes be mistaken for normal aging. How often have you misplaced your car keys or walked into a grocery store and forgotten what to buy? Memory lapses are common as we age, but when memory loss begins to impact our daily lives, it could be the early signs of dementia. Ignoring these signs often leads to people not being diagnosed for months, even years. An early diagnosis allows you to know what you're dealing with and make important decisions with the right information so you can live well with dementia. Take 10 minutes to learn these 10 signs: Memory loss: having trouble remembering recent events or retaining new information Difficulty doing day-to-day tasks: forgetting how to write a cheque or cooking a familiar recipe 1076 I • ft a • CLINTON RADARS 2013-2014 HOME GAMES FRIDAY • JANUARY 15" • 8:30 pm KOMOKA CLASSICS CLINTON RADARS @CLINTON SPONSORED BY: DYKSTRA. _ L 4,7A, CONSTRIJCTION OFFICE: 519-482-9082 CELL: 519-525-8675 Language problems: finding the right words or using them inappropriately Disorientation - getting lost in your own neighbourhood or not knowing the time of the day Poor or decreased judgment: wearing light clothing in freezing weather Difficulty with abstract thinking: struggling to perform mental tasks like adding numbers Misplacing things: putting the ice cube tray in the oven instead of the freezer Changes in behaviour: exhibiting severe mood swings for no apparent reason Changes in personality: becoming unusually depressed, suspicious, or anxious Loss of initiative: withdrawing from friends and family and losing interest in favourite activities If you're concerned about any of these signs for yourself or someone you care about, see your doctor. And remem- ber, there is a great deal that you can do to live a fulfilling life after diagnosis. The Alzheimer Society can help. To find out more, visit www.earlydiagnosis.ca. HAIRCUTS NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED DApprpi I1 PROFESSIONAL HAIR STYLES FOR GUYS WALK-IN CONVENIENCE, AFFORDABLE PRICES MAIN ST. CLINTON OPEN TUES-SAT 519 -606 -HAIR (4247) t 411 0 :1 "Mr t I-1-1 You are invited to attend these area churches ST. THOMAS CHURCH 21Jarvis St. Seaforth Rector The Rev. Karine Farmer Rectory 519-482-9071 Church Office 519-527-1522 Sunday, January 19 Worship at 9:30 a.m. Followed by "Coins for Camp" Coffee Hour Everyone Welcome ST. JAMES ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH WELCOMES YOU 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 519-345-2972 Sun. Mass 11 a.m. ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN at. Mass 5 p.m. S Sun. Mass 9 a.m. FR. CHRIS GILLESPIE BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Pastor Mark Kennedy Sunday School for all ages 9:45-10:45 SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICE 11 a.m. Wednesday Evenings • Youth Groups - Junior & Senior High 6:30 to 9 p.m. • Boys & Girls Club JK to Gr. 6 7 - 8:15 p.m. • Adult Bible Study 7 p.m. 6. EVERYONE WELCOME EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH Pastor Steve Hildebrand Youth Coordinator - Laura Nakamura Worship Jan. 19th, 11 a.m. Everyone is Welcome Youth Sunday School at 11 a.m. Adults at 10 a.m. Earbuds and elevator available Website: www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com Like us on Facebook NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH MINISTER MARY FLETCHER Sunday, Jan. 19th, 11 a.m. Guest speaker: Bob Heywood You are invited to join us in worship. Sunday School and Nursery Provided. 54 Goderich St. W. . 519-527-1449 N 6 www.cavannorthsideunited.ca FIRST 59 Robbie PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Goderich St. W. Seaforth 519-527-0170 Rev. Linda Moffatt Lome Baker - Organist Worship SusnadtayjaJnan2.5195tlii011p.am.m. Burns Pot Luck & Fun Night All Welcome Sunday Schoo l & Nursery Provided. Office Hours Wed. 9 a.m. - noon. "That's what brought me here, and that's what keeps me here too," she explained. "For every hour we spend with one of our seniors, to give their loved ones some help and some comfort - somebody to say, yes we know what you're going through - if we can even just give that little bit back, it's worth it!' With a constant need for community aid in raising funds and support for Alzheimer Societies across Canada, the organization's annual Walk for Memories is just one way people can help, according to Ritsema. "This is our largest fundraiser of the year," she said. "You can register as a team or as an individual in order to contribute." The Walk for Memories is the largest fundraising event in Ontario, and is dedicated to increasing awareness, as well as raise funds for research, vital programs and other services. Though most see Alzheimer's as a disease that affects only the mind, few realize that it's actually fatal. According to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada, Alzheim- er's not only robs people of their memory, it destroys brain cells, causing the body to forget how to perform even the simplest tasks in order to survive, such as talk, move or eat. Jennifer Burns, First Link and support services coordina- tor with the Alzehimer Society of Huron County, has been working with individuals with dementia for over a decade and says working with families is what keeps her going. "I support people within the Clinton and Seaforth area," she said. "We do a lot of things like group and family infor- mation sessions as well as an early stage group. It's really important, once a diagnosis happens, to stay connected to other people, and so we talk about building that network of support!' For Burns, providing the right amount of understand at the right time is one of the most imporant things to remem- ber when dealing with someone with dementia. Just because someone has been diagnosed with a form of dementia, doesn't mean they need constant aid and supervision right away, and it's vital for families to seek out information and not become overwhelmed. "It's all about the key phrase - see me, not my disease," she explained. "They are a person first and foremost, and a really big part of the stigma is the fear of interacting with the person because we don't know how they're going to act. But it's about understanding the disease, and why someone may react the way they do." With education being a big part of what the society is all about, Burns she hopes this month's fundraising walk and information sessions will help rid many of the stigmas that plague the many people living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. "People live with dementia everyday and they're a huge part of our community," she said, adding all of the money raised by the walk will go directly to services provided in Huron County. "With the right kind of support in place, we can really help these people:' This year's Walk for Memories will take place Saturday, Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at several locations across Huron County, including Seaforth, Clinton, Exeter, Goderich and Wingham. For more information on the Alzhiemer Society of Huron County, as well as events going on throughout the month of January, visit www.alzheimer.ca/huroncounty, or to find a Walk for Memories near you, visit www.wallcformemories. ca. Dementia: ten things you should know Changes in a person in the early stages of dementia can sometimes be mistaken for normal aging. How often have you misplaced your car keys or walked into a grocery store and forgotten what to buy? Memory lapses are common as we age, but when memory loss begins to impact our daily lives, it could be the early signs of dementia. Ignoring these signs often leads to people not being diagnosed for months, even years. An early diagnosis allows you to know what you're dealing with and make important decisions with the right information so you can live well with dementia. Take 10 minutes to learn these 10 signs: Memory loss: having trouble remembering recent events or retaining new information Difficulty doing day-to-day tasks: forgetting how to write a cheque or cooking a familiar recipe 1076 I • ft a • CLINTON RADARS 2013-2014 HOME GAMES FRIDAY • JANUARY 15" • 8:30 pm KOMOKA CLASSICS CLINTON RADARS @CLINTON SPONSORED BY: DYKSTRA. _ L 4,7A, CONSTRIJCTION OFFICE: 519-482-9082 CELL: 519-525-8675 Language problems: finding the right words or using them inappropriately Disorientation - getting lost in your own neighbourhood or not knowing the time of the day Poor or decreased judgment: wearing light clothing in freezing weather Difficulty with abstract thinking: struggling to perform mental tasks like adding numbers Misplacing things: putting the ice cube tray in the oven instead of the freezer Changes in behaviour: exhibiting severe mood swings for no apparent reason Changes in personality: becoming unusually depressed, suspicious, or anxious Loss of initiative: withdrawing from friends and family and losing interest in favourite activities If you're concerned about any of these signs for yourself or someone you care about, see your doctor. And remem- ber, there is a great deal that you can do to live a fulfilling life after diagnosis. The Alzheimer Society can help. To find out more, visit www.earlydiagnosis.ca. HAIRCUTS NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED DApprpi I1 PROFESSIONAL HAIR STYLES FOR GUYS WALK-IN CONVENIENCE, AFFORDABLE PRICES MAIN ST. CLINTON OPEN TUES-SAT 519 -606 -HAIR (4247)