The Citizen, 1997-09-10, Page 25THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,1997. PAGE 25.
Alzheimer’s Disease — not a normal part of aging
Mary can’t remember who these
people are.
They hug her and stand around
and talk, but she can't understand
what they're saying. "I hope they
don't take my purse," she thinks.
Suddenly, there's a cake and
candles and then lots of noise.
"My purse, my purse ..." she
says frightened. She's cold and just
wants to be held.
Mary has Alzheimer's disease, a
disease which along with other
dementias affects over 1/4 million
Canadians.
Most are aware that certain
changes occur to people as they
age. Alzheimer's disease, however,
is not part of the normal aging
process.
Named after Alois Alzheimer the
physician who first identified it in
1906, Alzheimer's disease is a
degenerative brain disorder that
destroys vital brain cells. It most
commonly occurs after the age of
65, but can strike adults at any age.
The disease is progressive,
gradually taking away a person's
Festival City Fun Run, Oct. 5
Calling all runners!
It's time to register for The Lung
Association's Festival City Furl
Run being held in Stratford on
Sunday, Oct. 5. The third annual
fundraising event is sponsored by
Ontario Home Oxygen and Health
and Shoppers Drug Mart with all
proceeds benefitting The Lung
Association, Huron-Perth Counties'
Lungs Are For Life School
Program.
The Festival City Fun Run
consists of a 2.5 km beginning at
the Kiwanis Centre on Lakeside
Drive at 9 a.m., followed by the 10
km run at 9:30 a.m. In both runs,
there will be six age divisions for
men and women: 14 and under, 15-
memory, robbing them of their
ability to think, reason,
communicate and finally, taking
their life.
The changes that occur to people
with Alzheimer's disease are
challenging for both the individual
with the disease and the caregivers.
"He used to take care of all our
family finances. Now, he doesn’t
even notice if the bills go unpaid,"
said Margaret, who has been caring
for her husband Tom for a number
of years.
’ Although there are unlikely to be
any sudden changes in a person
who has the disease, healthcare
professionals have grouped
Alzheimer symptoms that mark the
disease's progress. There may,
however, be periods during the
course of the disease when the
person does not experience further
decline for months or even years.
Because the changes in someone
with Alzheimer's disease are subtle,
they may not initially be
recognized by family members. In
the early stages of the dise?-«e., the
19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50 and
over. Medals will be awarded to the
top three finishers in each age
category, plus the top three overall
winners of each sex. There will
also be great food for all partici
pants and a draw for prizes.
This year, participants are
encouraged to collect pledged
monetary sponsorships to qualify
for great pledge prizes which
include water bottles, Fun Run t-
shirts, and gift certificates. The
person collecting the most pledges
will receive a $100 gift certificate
from The Running Room in
London.
Registration/pledge forms for the
Festival City Fun Run are available
person still has many abilities, yet
may begin to forget some names,
lose the thread of conversations and
begin to ask repeated questions.
As the disease progresses, it
becomes more difficult to carry on
a conversation. The person may
search for words, may not be able
to link sentences together or
understand what is being said.
These changes can be frustrating
for the caregiver and finding
support can be helpful.
In the middle stages, behavioural
changes become more apparent.
The disease may cause the person
to become agitated or irritable and
their sleep patterns may be
disturbed. They may also begin
wandering and may not be able to
remember where they live. At this
point, round-the-clock care is
required.
Eventually, placement in a long
term care facility may be necessary,
as dependence increases and the
person can no longer perform the
basic activities of daily living such
as dressing, feeding and bathing.
Understanding how Alzheimer's
at fitness clubs and sport stores
throughout Huron and Perth
Counties, as well as at The Lung
Association, Huron-Perth Counties
at 519-271-7500.
Registration fees are $18 (youth
14 and under $9) until Sept. 29 and
$20 (youth $10) after that date.
Although all participants are
encouraged to obtain pledged
sponsorships, it is not necessary to
collect pledges to participate in this
event.
Registrations will be accepted the
day of the event at the Kiwanis
Centre on Lakeside Drive in
Stratford at least one half hour prior
to start time.
disease progresses and knowing
caregiving techniques can help
individuals provide the best care
for a person with the disease and
plan for the future. As well, the
first drugs to treat the symptoms of
the disease are becoming available
in Canada: for information consult
Fundraiser, Sept. 17
Drink an extra cup of coffee
Sept. 17 and contribute to a good
cause.
The Alzheimer Society's major,
nationwide fundraiser, Coffee
Break, is being held next Wednes
day to raise money for the more
than 1/4 million Canadians stricken
with the disease. Four local busi
nesses as well as Huronlea in Brus
sels will be among the 15,000
events across the country.
By enjoying a coffee at Scrim-
geour's Food Market, Blyth Inn,
BJs Cafe or the Grandview Restau
rant, all in Blyth, and Huronlea in
Brussels, a donation will be made
Diana will be remembered for good, says minister
Continued from page 17
saw this past week for Diana is a
testimony as to how much she gave
to others during her lifetime. Some
people will only remember Diana
for her glittering image. Some will
recall her failings and her temper
and her personal problems. But
long after the sparkle has gone out
of her gowns, her good works will
continue to shine."
"This is a good example of how
God works in our lives. Already
Princess Diana's faults and
mistakes are being forgotten and
forgiven. Her good deeds are what
she will be remembered for. She is
going to be with us, as a cultural
your doctor.
The Alzheimer Society provides
information and support to people
coping with the disease. For more
information, call your local
Alzheimer Society. You may also
wish to visit their Web site at
www.alzheimer.ca.
to the fund. The monies will be
gathered either though a collection
box or by business owners donating
a portion of the proceeds.
The fundraiser will support pro
grams and services for both suffer
ers and their caregivers coping with
the effects of Alzheimer's Disease.
Close to $4 billion is spent on the
disease each year, a figure which
will jump significantly by the year
2030 when more than 3/4 million
Canadians are expected to have
Alzheimer and related dementias.
The second annual Coffee Break
is supported in the corporate sector
by Imperial Life Financial and
Pfizer Canada Inc.
icon, for a long time."
Rev. Murray said, "God takes all
that we are, and holds nothing of it
against us. God takes what our life
is and turns it to the best use to
which it can be used. Even in
death, God frees us to be better
than we are. Our earthly lives do
come to an end. But what our lives
have meant does not end. It is taken
up into everlasting life. The grass
withers, the flower fades. And
God's acceptance of what we
contribute will stand forever."
"So let us be people who live out
our faith in good deeds each day.
For we are people who hear God's
word and we are people who live
out and do God's word as well."
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Tho North Huron
itizen
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