HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-01-14, Page 15The Huron Expositor • January 14, 2009 Page 15
News
Alzheimer Society aims to dispel myths after new
study reveals startling facts about dementia
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With startling new data released
this month revealing that almost
15 per cent of people with demen- w
tia are under 65, the Alzheimer
Society of Huron County and other
branches across the Canada are
looking to residents for
assistance.
During Alzheimer
Awareness month in
January, their aim is
to engage residents
to ask their local MPs
"to make dementia a
ri national health care
priority through the
development. of a Ca-
nadian Dementia
Management Strat-
egy," according to the
Alzheimer Society of
Canada's website.
Data from the new
study shows that
about 71,000 of the
half -million Canadians with de-
mentia are under 65. Results of the
study have been released as part of
Alzheimer Awareness Month.
"We've seen that trend but now
there is new data to support it,"
says Cathy Ritsema, executive di-
rector of the Alzheimer Society of
Huron County (ASHC).
Locally, the Huron County chap-
ter of the Society is currently de-
veloping new programs that spe-
cifically focus on supporting those
with dementia under 65.
"We have several people with it
under 65," she says. "Younger peo-
ple require different needs. Some
are still working and some still
,:have teenagers at home."
The study predicts that as the
population in Canada ages over
- ` he next five years, an additional
250,000 people could be diagnosed
she says. "It can be draining."
In an effort to educate caregivers,
the ASHC is offering two-hour in-
formation sessions in five locations
across the county this month -- in
Exeter, Goderich, Clinton, Grand
Bend, Wingham and in Seaforth
at the. Community Mental Health
Centre building, .92
Goderich Street, on
Jan. 30 at 1 p.m.
An overview of de-
mentia and informa-
tion on the progres-
sion and stages of
the 'disease will be
discussed, along with
ways of avoiding care-
giver burnout, Ritse-
ma says.
Another event, the
Manulife Walk for
Memories, will take
place in the same
five communities as
a fundraiser for the
ASHC.
Last year, $35,000 was raised
through the events. All the funds
stayed in Huron
County to sup-
port the ASHC's
programs and
services.
"We're hoping
to meet and ex-
ceed that this
time," Ritsema
says.
The- 14th -an-
nual Manulife
Walk for Memo-
ries is . taking
place - Jan. 24.
Seaforth Public
School will host
the local event,
from 10 a.m. to
noon.
Grade 4 and 5
students across
Huron County
are also invited
to participate
in the third an-
nual Healthy
Brain Writing
and Drawing
Contest. -
Presentations
to the winners
will be made at
each Manulife
Walk for Memo-
ries site on Jan.
24.
For more ' in-
formation on the
'We've seen
that trend but
now there is
data to
support it,'—
Cathy
Alzheimer
Huron
Ritsema
Suety of
County
with Alzheimer's disease or anoth-
er form of dementia.
"There will be an increase," Ritse-
ma adds. "The fact that it's only
prevalent among those over 65 is a
.. myth."
Part of the aim of Alzheimer
Awareness Month is to dispel such
myths by informing the population
about the disease and how caregiv-
ers can support family and loved
ones who are struggling with it.
Anyone can be a caregiver — a
child, sibling, friend or neighbour,
Ritsema says. But after spending
hours of time with a person with
dementia, many are prone to "care-
giver burnout."
"The person with the disease of-
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