Huron Expositor, 2014-02-05, Page 9Family and friends
Walk for Memories
Whitney South
Huron Expositor
As Canada's National Alzheimer
Awareness Month came to a close, a
small but determined group of Seaforth
residents came out to support the
annual Walk for Memories on Feb. 1.
Already postponed due to inclement
weather, the event took place at Sea -
forth Public School with walkers and
volunteers braving morning flurries,
still taking time to support the cause.
Shelley McGavin, along with hus-
band Brian and parents Ruby and Laird,
walked to support an organization that
they say has shown them some much-
needed support.
Shelley and her sister Sandra have
been caregivers since their mother was
diagnosed with dementia three years
ago.
"We were afraid of what being diag-
nosed with dementia would mean for
her and our dad," said Shelley. "We
wished it could be different, but it's not,
and you deal with it."
The sisters found that, above all,
patience was a big part of helping their
family deal with what would become a
constantly changing situation.
"It's about kindness and spending
time with each other," added Sandra.
"There's obviously a stigma attached to
something like this, but learning to take
the time and work through it together is
key."
Shelley went on the explain that
learning about dementia was a kind of
wake up call, that a condition that
affects so many needs more education
and understanding from everyone in
the community,
"If you have a broken arm you can
see a cast and know that person has a
broken arm and it can be fixed. But
when someone has dementia, it's some-
thing people can't see and it can't just
be fixed," she said.
Their mother Ruby participates in the
Circle of Friends, an early stage support
group put on by the Alzheimer Society
of Huron County, as well the Day Pro-
gram, where she spends the day with a
volunteer. Members generally consider
each other more than just a means of
support, but a group of friends. The rest
of the family participates in a caregiver
support group.
Without the support of their local
Alzheimer Society, Sandra and Shelley
believe their parents wouldn't be able
to continue to live independently.
"I'm very grateful and thankful that
these types of programs are available
for mom and for dad and for the rest of
us." Shelley explained.
"One of the first things they told us
was to do was let people know and get
them involved," added Sandra. "The
more help you have the better, it can't
just be up to one person."
According to Alzheimer Society of
Canada website, a study conducted by
the organization found the number of
Canadians living with cognitive impair-
ment, including dementia, now stands
at 747,000 and will double to 1.4 million
by 2031. These figures include not only
Canadians diagnosed with dementias,
including Alzheimer's disease, but also
those with cognitive impairment, which
frequently leads to the more degenera-
tive forms.
Sadly, Canada's health-care system is
ill equipped to deal with the staggering
costs. Today, the combined direct and
indirect costs of dementia total $33 bil-
lion per year. By 2040, this figure will
skyrocket to $293 billion per year.
Not to mention pressures on family
caregivers are mounting. In 2011 alone,
family caregivers spent 444 million
unpaid hours per year looking after
someone with dementia, representing
$11 billion in lost income and 227,760
lost full-time equivalent employees in
the work force. By 2040, these caregiv-
ers will be devoting a staggering 1.2 bil-
lion unpaid hours per year.
For more information on the Alzhe-
imer Society of Huron County and how
to become involved, visit www.alzhe-
imer.ca/huroncounty.
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Wednesday, February 5, 2014 • Huron Expositor 9
Whitney South Huron Expositor
Walking for hope
Brian and Shelley McGavin with Ruby and Laird Finlayson.
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