The Citizen, 2008-11-13, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2008.The Alzheimer’s Society of HuronCounty held Dementia 2008 at theBetty Cardno Centre in Clinton on Tuesday, Nov. 4. This annual event is an informationmeeting for those who work withpersons having dementia or
Alzheimer's disease in long-term
care facilities, for persons caring for
family members and anyone
interested in learning about the
disease.
The two speakers that evening
presented entirely different areas in
the study of dementia.
Dr. Suzanne Tyas, PhD. is an
associate professor in the Dept. of
Health Studies and Gerontology and
Dept. of Psychology at the
University of Waterloo. Her
presentation focused on
identifying the factors that put
people at risk of developing
Alzheimers. The predictors of
the disease during a lifetime on
which she touched were findings
from the Nun Study of which
she was a part. Findings from
that study suggest that the
development of Alzheimer’s disease
is a consequence of a chain of
events.
Participants in the study were 678
Catholic nuns in a convent in the
United States. In 1991 these women
from a teaching background agreed
to give access to their convent
records, to participate in annualcognitive and physical assessmentsand donated their brains after death.The women were between the agesof 75 - 102.There was a wealth of informationavailable for the researchers.
This was a special situation which
differs from the general population
in that records were available
and the lifestyle of the women
was truly similar after entering the
convent. Ergo, as the study
showed, some risk factors are
associated with a person’s early
life – economic advantages,
educational opportunities, emotional
support.
For example, some folk have a
genetic predisposition to developing
dementia which combined with a
low level of education put them at
greater risk. Yet there are those
asymptomatic persons with the
genetic risk or with a large number
of tangles and plaques in the brain
who show no signs of the
disease.
The question researchers are
studying is why some develop the
disease and others do not.
The study concluded that one’s
linguistic ability in early life,
probably related to those advantages
noted earlier, is a predictor of the
risk of developing dementia. The
density of ideas in the written works
of the nuns significantly predictedthe disease 50 or more years later.Dr. Tyas showed interestingcomputer videos and slides of thesetests and subjects.By recognizing the predictors andworking to effect changes in
lifestyle, it is hoped persons can
delay the onset of this debilitating
disease perhaps until the
person succumbs to another
disease. Through mid-and-late
stages of life researchers recognized
the importance of taking on
new hobbies which challenge
other areas of the brain, and to
exercise.
In later life the incidence of stroke
truly affects areas of the brain that
may lead to advanced Alzheimer’s.
Thus reducing risks for stroke
through a healthy lifestyle
is important to one’s brain
health.
The study results related by Dr.
Tyas offer hope on how to remain
functional and cognitively intact
longer.
Sylvia Davidson was the second
speaker of the evening. She is a
senior occupational therapist at the
Toronto Rehab Institute. Her
talk centred on rehabilitation
in dementia and facilitating a
patient’s strengths while promoting
function.
It is her belief that rehabilitation in
the elderly needs more attention and promotion through a person-centred approach. She feels that too often workers focus on a patient’s losses rather than on the abilities that are stillthere.
Normal has a different meaning in
brain-damaged patients. It is
important for workers to keep the
patient interested in their own rehab.
Workers must enable individuals to
maximize their remaining life
potential.
Davidson suggests workers and
family members, too, take time and
give time, to the patients. Listening
and watching more closely to the
patient may save time eventually and
bring a change in results.
Something of the former person is
still there. The patient may have
some understanding of their own
loss. Therefore it is up to
workers and family to reaffirm
in the patient a feeling of
personal worth and social
confidence. With these feelings
will come a sense of trust and
safety.
Davidson cited examples from
case files to support her
theories. She recognized that
caseloads are heavy but by taking
advantage of events as they happen
with patients changes can be
affected.
When the children in the
congregation at Londesborough
United Church on Sunday, Nov. 9
came forward for their time with
Rev. Pat Cook, many of them were
aware that soon everyone would be
observing Remembrance Day. Rev.
Pat showed them the letter P and
asked for words that began with that
letter that would be significant to
Remembrance Day.
Before the children went down to
Sunday school the congregation
held a short service of remembrance.
The minute for mission, read by
Don Goodall, was a report from a
hospital chaplain whose work in
hospitals in the Maritimes is
sponsored by the mission and
service fund of the United Church of
Canada. This particular pastor finds
the work spiritually demanding but
recognizes the support is both a
blessing and a joy to those in the
hospitals.
The senior choir sang a hymn
appropriate for the day, When Quiet
Peace Is Shattered. Laura Scott read
the gospel scripture passage,
Matthew 25: 1-13. This passage is
the parable of the 10 virgins.
The virgins/bridesmaids were
awaiting the arrival of the
bridegroom so they could take him
to his bride and wedding ceremony.
Five ran out of oil for their
torches/lamps and went to find
more. They missed the bridegroom
and the wedding.
Ordinary folk may encounter
many situations for which they need
to prepare ahead. They need to
prepare for their service to Christ.
The bridegroom in the parable is
Christ. The bridesmaids, believers
and followers, must be prepared for
the coming wedding or kingdom of
God. In the parable, five bridesmaids
did not offer to help those not
ready. However God would want
His followers to share their faith
and prepare others for the coming.
Rev. Cook will be on study leave
from Nov. 10 - 16. In case of
emergency contact Rev. Sinclair at
519-482-9553.
The senior choir will practise at 10
a.m. on Nov. 16.
The UCW will gather for their
meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 17.
Join the Sunday school for a
family swim at the Vanastra pool on
Saturday, Nov. 15 from 4 - 5 p.m.
Pizza and refreshments will follow
in the hall.
The senior youth group will meet
on Sunday, Nov. 16 at the church
from 7 - 9 p.m. for a night of baking.
The junior youth group will meet on
Friday, Nov. 21 from 7 - 9 p.m. for
games and devotion.
Although it seems this school year
has just begun for everyone at
Hullett Central Public School the fall
term has been extremely busy. Soon
it will be decision time for pupils in
Grade 8. They will be choosing
which high school to attend and
which stream of education to follow
in order to be prepared for a career.
With that in mind the Student
Advisory Council held its first Trade
and Tech Night last Thursday
evening. With so many career
choices in today’s world, the SAC
committee is endeavouring to help
Hullett students make the right one.
Many presenters had handouts for
the pupils.
The event was enabled by a PRO
(parent reaching out) grant offered
through the Avon Maitland District
School Board office. Pupils in
Grades 6 - 8, along with their
families, were encouraged to attend
to get an understanding of just what
a career in the trade and technology
sector involves.
As one presenter explained, “a
trade means working with your
hands”; an area to which
some students may be more
inclined.
Manufacturing is an important and
fast-growing segment of the
economy of Huron County. Most of
the county’s manufacturers are
small, employing less than 50
people.
In 1999 an alliance of these small
manufacturers were formed. Monica
Walker Bolton was present that
evening to offer insight into the
group.
One of the members of that group,
Dorothy Cummings from Barmy
Tech of Walton, did a presentation.
Their line of products, which began
with the production of bags, now
includes aprons, flags, bale covers,
motocross bibs, etc.
Four teachers from the tech
department of Central Huron
Secondary School gave the young
folk some hands-on experience and
showed a video of the department’s
classes. This department offers
courses in manufacturing,
construction, transportation,
communication, technological
design and hospitality and tourism.
Wayne Smith had a working light
display and spoke with everyone
about a career in the electrical
field.
Two women the pupils see in the
halls on a regular basis each gave a
presentation about secondary
interests of theirs. Joy Antoniuk, the
principal, had the pupils doing
simple floral designs. Cosmetology,
as explained by EA Darlene Hymers,
includes hairstyling, skin care,
waxing, manicures and makeup. A
lifetime hobby is taking up more of
Dianne Chalmers’ life now that she
has retired from the field of finance.
In her corner of the auditorium
she was discussing careers in
sewing.
A former Hullett pupil, Matt
Anderson, related the journey he
took to now be working in Stratford
for a company called Wood Decor.
This company works with a
company familiar to many in Huron
County, Oke Woodsmith. He credits
a career consultant with recognizing
this was a field Matt would
enjoy.
Two presenters work with dirt, so
to speak. A video showed the heavy
machinery work done by Doug Bell
Excavating of Mitchell. He
noted that a knowledge of
computers is essential to the proper
handling of heavy machines these
days.
In this area Lavis Contracting is
well known but Rick Penhale
explained that he spends most of his
time for that company in a
laboratory. He brought along many
samples of aggregates he tests in
preparation for the right mix
for asphalt. This company has
an industry leading
cold-in-place recycling asphalt
plant.
Each pupil surely went home with
new possibilities to consider.
NEWS
FROM LONDESBORO
Hands-on learning
Students Zach Drost and Derek deBoer enjoyed the hands
on opportunity with Central Huron Secondary School tech
department staff at Hullett Central Public School’s Parent
Reaching Out evening, Nov. 6. The Avon Maitland District
School Board donated a grant of $541.80 to help the
parents put on this technology and trades night. The intent
was to raise awareness of what trades and technology offer.
Eleven presenters donated their time to show students from
Grades 6-8 what their job entailed. (Photo submitted)
Advisory council holds
trade and tech night
Church
remembers
lost soldiers
Dementia 2008 takes place in Clinton