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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-01-23, Page 20Crossroads 20 Times -Advocate Wednesday, January 23, 2008 RecognizingAlzheimerAwareness Month with a look at the Society By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF HURON — January is Alzheimer Awareness Month, with its nationwide awareness campaign, "Heads Up for Healthier Brains!" in full swing. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and degenerative brain disease destroy- ing memory, reasoning, orientation in time and place and cognitive functions. As time goes on, the disease affects personality, mood, behaviour and activ- ities on a daily basis. It is not a normal part of aging. In Canada about one in 13 Canadians over 65 years old, or approximately 450,000 people, are affected by Alzheimer's and related diseases, with 160,000 living in Ontario. It is estimat- ed that if a cure isn't found, 750,000 Canadians by 2031 will have Alzheimer's or related diseases. In Huron County about 10 per cent of our senior population has Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. That fig- ure is expected to double in the next 20 years. Every third Thursday in Exeter, a sup- port group is run between 1 and 2:30 p.m. at the Exeter Town Hall address- ing Alzheimer's disease. Last week the T -A spent some time getting to know the people behind the scenes at the Alzheimer Society of Huron County. Executive Director Cathy Ritsema As executive director of the Alzheimer Society of Huron County Cathy Ritsema "acts as operations manager and liaison between the board of directors, staff and the volunteers," overseeing all operations of the Society. "I am an ambassador for the Society," says Ritsema, explaining that through the direction of the board of direc- tors, Ritsema handles the financial man- agement and pro- grams within the Alzheimer Society. Ritsema, who has been with the Society Cathy Ritsema for 10 years, says her favourite part of her job is "knowing that we have accomplished our mission. Knowing that at the end of the day we've achieved the mission of the Society." Over the years, the Society has seen many changes. "I started in Clinton by myself," says Ritsema, adding, "The staff and the profile in the community has grown tremendously." Ritsema gives much credit to the Public Education Funding given in the fall of 1999 to the 39 Alzheimer Society chapters in Ontario. "The funding increased the awareness and the impact of getting the message out there," says Ritsema, adding, "Since then we've been growing and growing." Ritsema says the funding allows the different chapters to work more closely with the caregivers, educating them, "The people with the disease are diag- nosed earlier. This is what we need. The advancement and treatment thera- pies has grown tremendously." Public Education Co-ordinator Maggie Brennan "I provide education throughout the county," says public education co-ordi- nator of the Alzheimer Society of Huron County Maggie Brennan, adding that Maggie Brennan through education sessions and provid- ing training for front line staff in nursing homes, she's able to take the "gentle per- suasive approach," to "work with people with Alzheimer's dis- ease and ensure they have the highest quality of life." Brennan does presen- tations, speaking and helping families and caregivers better understand Alzheimer's disease. Brennan, who has been with the Society for three years, says the high- light of her position at the Society is, "When we give the bears out," referring to the Cuddle Bear Program. The program began in 1998 by two past board members of the Society. Its main focus is to alleviate some of the feelings of loneliness and isolation peo- ple feel with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Every year the "Cuddle Bears" are hand knit and given out by volunteers to people in nursing and retirement homes across the coun- ty. "I feel really blessed, really lucky knowing that I'm making a difference in the quality of life. I love what I do. It's so rewarding," says Brennan, adding, "We're small, but we're mighty." Office Manager/Volunteer Co-ordinator Karla Crocker "I am the first voice that people hear when they call," says office manager/volunteer co-ordinator of the Alzheimer Society of Huron County Karla Crocker. "I get them to where they should be at." Crocker, who has been at the Society for about nine years says, she also takes care of all office items and administrative duties. Crocker oversees the 160 Huron County vol- unteers with their many fundraising events and activities, and when asked if more volunteers are needed, Crocker replied, "Yes, we're always looking for volunteers. We truly appreciate them. We couldn't do it without them." Events Co-ordinator Theresa Wilson "I plan the fundraisers, says events co-ordinator of the Alzheimer Society of Huron County Theresa Wilson, who has been with the Society for five years. Wilson says 90 per cent of the funds raised in Huron, "stays in Huron for programs and ser- vices," while the other "10 percent goes to research." The 13th Annual Manulife Walk for Memories is Saturday, with five loca- tions in Huron. Exeter is hosting its walk at South Huron District High School between 10 a..m. and noon. The community is encouraged to col- lect some pledges and support the soci- ety. Other towns hosting walks are Clinton, Seaforth, Goderich and Wingham. Karla Crocker Theresa Wilson 9____------ 1 S ALZHEI FF ________y_-__----------------- __..__ fir. ■i6 71 !■I •W 'E.` `11 16 . f,,r a■ 11,1111 111I�y. 11F ■ !! 11 - ■ ■ 11 44 11" 1'1 ■4V ■, :16`111 1 J 1 n I I • •' • aI Ir r. 1■w■ 1 1-,--1: j■■■ i■ ■ !1 II ■`` ■ q 1! !�. !r ! iU • !L_ IA Ii 1■ -.'■?i Yui li if 1��, r �� U ■f Y� ■a �e sr N 1■ Cilii iPi1 ■ • ■ r • til . II ''■■■ u■ n ,'ir■ er. •■■■ IM ■ ■ 11 I_ ' ' -., i, Qpi` p i 1. u�Y .1 Ij i{il IF '` IM f 1 I; = n ■ .- 1:4,. 1 - Forget Me Not — January is Alzheimer Awareness Month. Saturday is the 1 3th Annual Manulife Walk for Memories, held at South Huron District High School in Exeter.Above from left working for the Alzheimer Society of Huron County are office manager/volunteer co-ordinator Karla Crocker, events co-ordinator Theresa Wilson, executive director Cathy Ritsema, public education co-ordinator Maggie Brennan and First Link co-ordinator Trish HarrisTousignant,encouraging the com- munity, with their "Forget Me Not" tattoos and running shoes to come out and support the cause. Below from left Brennan and Blue Water Rest Home activity/volunteer co-ordinator Stacey Pfaff give a Blue Water resident a bear from the"Cuddle Bear Program." (photos/Nina Van Lieshout) For more information contact 1-800- 879-4226 or visit www.walkformemo- ries. ca Another fundraising event coming up is the Forget Me Not Auction on April 26 on Clinton at the Betty Cardno Centre. Tickets are available soon. First Link Co- ordinator Trish Harris Tousignant Working only at the Society for a year, Trish Harris Tousignant is the First Link co-ordinator for Huron, Perth and Grey -Bruce counties, a two year pilot pro- ject funded through the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. If a family member has been diag- Trish Harris Tousignant nosed, First Link connects the family or caregivers to Alzheimer Society pro- grams and services, providing informa- tion about other related community and health care services. "It is designed for newly diagnosed individuals with Alzheimer's and relat- ed dementias and their caregivers," says Harris Tousignant. First Link educates the public on every step in the Alzheimer journey, from beginning to end. "Anyone can refer to First Link," says Harris Tousignant, adding she loves "getting out in the community and part- nering and working with them." For more information on the Alzheimer Society of Huron County visit www. alzheimerhuron. on. ca In next week's T -A we interview a Huron Park man affected with Alzheimer's disease.