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The Huron Expositor, 1985-09-25, Page 3NEWS AND FEATURES THE HURON EXPOSITOR, SEPTEMBER 25, 1085 — A3 •BARBERSHOPCYCLISTS—The Rural Roads, a mobile barbershop quartet charmed the crowd watching the annual Fall Fair parade on Friday, The group, from left: Barry Vincent, Gord Miller, Bryan Vincent and David Campbell, travelled up and down the parade route on their special four -seater bicycle, giving everyone'a chance to hear some good old-fashioned four-part harmony. (Raftis photo) Alzheimer's affects- entire family When someone has Alzheimer's Disease, it has an impact on the entire family. Take Alice R. for instance. Her husband •Joe first noticed her `orgetfulness. At first her "mistakes" seemed minor. She'd forget phone messages. She'd forget dinner on the stove. As the months passed, her forgetfulness grew more pronounced and Alice began displaying other uncharacteristic traits. She seemed disoriented. She was unable to sleep at nights. She became fearful, hostile and suspicious. Alice at first blamed her forgetfulness on old age and senility. As her problem grew progressively worse her husband Joe admitted that something was terribly wrong. Alice felt angry, depressed, embarrassed and humiliated. She wept tears of frustration and said she was "going crazy." A complete medical, neurological and psychiatric examination confirmed that Alice R was suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. There is no cure for Alzheimer's Disease. It is a progressively incapacitating disorder in which functions of the brain gradually deteriorate over a period of years - sometimes even months. It is a disease that primarily affects older people. Because the need for care and n'tention increases, all family members may have to take on new responsibilities and make changes in their lifestyle, which can be 'extremely stressful, both physically and emotionally. The Community Psychiatric Services in Clinton is offering a six week support group to families and friends of diagnosed Alzheimer's Disease. ' The project will look at ways of coping with the disease and will focus on such topics as home support services, family adjust- ments, legal and financial concerns, man• agement of difficult behavior and long term care Caring for an Alzheimer's patient is a 24 -hour -a -day job. Some have even called it a 36•hour day The first stage of the disease is manifested by slow, subtle changes in the person's ability to learn, problems in communication, memory loss for recent events, impaired judgement, difficulty in making decisions, coping with new situations, suspiciousness and possible outburst of temper resulting from Frustration. l:n the second stage, while memory functions continue to deteriorate, other aspects of intellectual abilities also decline, including language and the ability to communicate and to conduct daily activities without supervision or guidance. The Alzheimer's patient is often unaware, of lost abilities and may respond to people or objects in an aggressive way, due to misperceptions of what is happening. Increased disorientation to time and place occurs, and the person may be unable to recognize him -herself in the mirror. There may be inability to write or understand and use language. Often there is a struggle to maintain bodily functions. The person may be restless, especially at night. There is loss of dexterity, which may interfere with tasks such as dressing and other self-care routines. Body movements are slower and the person physically resists being helped. Mrs. L. of Lachine, Quebec said that her brother now shows so much impairment that "comprehension (is) too poor to determine if there is still any memory." She said that he is "fearful, suspicious, has episodes of depression and weepsig - and sometimes of giggling. He needs to be guided for he has just fallen and broken his hip." Mrs. S. of B.C. said that her 53 -year-old husband showed an "inability to concentrate and to work on figures." She said that "he seems a different person, but is not too hard to handle " Later, however, she reported that he had visual and speech impairment, as well as loss of bladder and bowel control. In the final stage of the disease, home care is often not sufficient. Twenty-four hour nursing care is usually necessary. The ability to speak or communicate disappears. along with increased immobil- ity. Loss of bowel and urine control greatly increases. Twitches or jerking may develop and seizures may occur. Muscles stiffen and in the final stages the Alzheimer's patient is left immobilized Death follows shortly. Mrs G. of Edmonton, Alberta reported that she had been nursing and caring for her 65 -year-old husband at home for about two years. "hut finally i could no longer stand the physical' and emotional strain and was able to have him placed in a nursing home - three months before he died." Coping with someone who has Alzheim- er's is an intensely emotional experience. Family members can resent the fact that it requires so much of their time: or resent other family members who don't seem to be pulling their weight. They may even feel guilty because they think they are not doing enough, or because they get impatient with the person. Huron citizens join forces to raise funds for blind Huron citizens are joining forces to raise funds with which to provide seeing eye dogs for visually impaired Canadians at the first-ever national Canine Vision Canada W alk -A -Dog -A -Thou, The area walk being held in Goderich on Sunday, October 6 is sponsored by lions Clubs throughout the district and is one of 49 similar walks being held in centres across Canada on that day. To enter is simple: those interested simply obtain sponsors to pledge any amount of money per. kilometer and then completes as much of the course as possible. Those taking part may accompany their own dog or the dog of a friend or neighbor. In 1983 The lions Foundation of Canada undertook the project of developing a national dog guide school for visually impaired Canadians -- Canine Vision Canada (C.V.C.), a non-profit organization and a former public schoolhouse in Oakville, Ontario, was chosen for the site. Thropgh the foundation's support, proceeds from the 1984 Walk-A-Dog-A-Thon held in Oakville, the C.V.C. had a financial base to •begin renovations to the schoolhouse. Today, C.V.C, is in its final stages of completion and will open its doors to qualified visually impaired Canadians across the country next November. The school is designed to eventually train 120 dogs per year. During the training stage, participants in the program will be provided, at no cost with: transportation from anywhere in Canada to the school; team training with their dog; and room and board. The actual cost of this program is $5,600 per student, all of which is paid by C.V.C. Discussing these feelings with family, friends, or seeking professional counselling can often help. The support group being offered locally aims to offer that professional and support counselling. The program is the first of its type to be held in Huron County. in fact, the only other support group offered to families of Alzheimer's patients is currently run at Parkwood Hospital, London. Kate Moriarty, director of the Community Psychiatric Services in Clinton hopes that the six week program will develop into a self-supporting group. She believes that the participants in the group can carry on the program if enough interest is generated. "These are the people who need the program and need the help," she empha- sized. The six week program, to be held Thursday evenings at the Community Psychiatric Services, 105 Shipley Street, Clinton will feature six guest speakers. Dr, C.F. Doorly of Goderich will be leading the topic, Overview of Alzheimer's Disease. Betty Cardno will speak about the home support services that are available and Nancy Larone will load the discussion on family adjustments. Ralph Smith will speak about the legal and financial concerns, Corrie Van Miftenberg, the assistant direct- or of nursing at Huronview viilf speak on the management of difficult behavior and long term care for Alzheimer's patients. Alzheimer's is not a new disease. It was first diagnosed in 1906 and while still little is known about the illness, more help and research is becoming available as medical professionals bestt aboutthe current estimated Theindicate that more than three million North Americans may suffer from it. In Canada, it has been estimated that at least 10,000 deaths a year are attributable to Alzheimer's Disease, and as many as 100,000 to 300,000 may be affected to a varying degree. After cancer, heart disease and stroke, it is thought to be the fourth or fifth most common cause of death in Canada. Rita Hayworth suffers from Alzheimer's. Artist Norman Rockwell died of it. There is no known cure for Alzheimer's Disease and still the cause of the illness remains a mystery. Scientists are applying the newest know- ledge and research techniques to study of human brain tissue removed at autopsy. Although there are a number of promising dues. determination of the actual cause of Alzheimer's Disease must await more extensive scientific investigation. Meanwhile, courses like those offered through the Community Psychiatric Services in Clinton are attempting to offer some support and consultation for the families of Alzheimer sufferers. The six week program in Clinton will begin on Thursday, October 3, from 7:30-9:00 . p.m. Anyone who is interested in taking part in this program is asked to pre -register by calling 482-3961. PET PIGEONS—The pet competitions at any fair always attract the attention of the younger fair -goers and this youngster was found getting down to eye -level with a pair of prize pigeons. Among the most unusual pets on display at this year's Seaforth fair were a pair of chinchillas. (Refits photo) f Dog guides go through a demanding training period before they are paired with C.V.C. students. C.V.C. accepts three breeds for their guide dogs: German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers. The majority of the puppies come from professional breeders. These 8 to 10 week-old puppies are placed in foster homes for a one-year "socializing" period. One of these puppies just recently completed a one year stay at the farm home of Dr. W .J. Thompson of McKillop, The dogs are then brought to the school for an intense three-month training pro- gram. At the end of this program, the dogs are put through a final test, to ensure their capabilities as a guide dog. The graduates are then matched with the newly -arrived students. As a team, they work and live together for four weeks, building their trustand experience in day-to-day situations such as crossing gtmets 6-•^''r4r-" `. riding in el,•„QumS. After graduation C V.C. encourages on- going communication between the student and the school's staff to keep aware of their progress and if necessary, to help with • problems. Currently, C.V.C. has over 60 puppies placed in foster homes throughout Ontario. By the end of this year, they hope to have 20 graduates. Already, the school has gradu- ated nine teams which in all cases were second dogs for visually impaired people. Details and pledge forms may be obtained from Dr. William J. Thompson, RR 2, Seaforth. Phone 527-0108 or from Dr. Brian Nuhn, Seaforth. Phone 527-1760 or 527- 0999. CORNY POSE?—The 1985 Seaforth Fall Fair was a huge success, marked for the first time in years by sunshine. This year's Queen, taking over for Denise Dupuis, was Sandra Hunt (center). First runner-up was Lucille Delaney, left, and second runner-up was Rosie Van Dyk, Cathy Kelly won Miss Congeniality (Mcllwraith photo) Man dies in crash A 28 -year-old Walton man was killed in a motorcycle accident which occurred near Wellesley, Friday evening. Sebringville OPP report that Robert Alvin Flligsen. of RR 4, Walton died about 6:50 p.m., when his westbound motorcycle collided with an eastbound car on Perth County Road 9, southwest of Wellesley. Pblice said no charges will be laid as a result of the accident. Mr. Elligsen, a son of Alvin and Velma (Crouchert Elligsen, of RR 4, Walton, was born in Seaforth on September 9, 1957 He received his mechanical engineering degree and his masters at the University of Waterloo and was a teacher's assistant at that University. He was a member of St Peter's Lutheran Church. Brodhagen. Surviving besides his parents are: one brother Glen, of Stratford: two sisters Darlene, of Waterloo and Elizabeth, of Kingston; his maternal grandmother Mrs. Beatrice Croucher. of St. Johns, Newfound- land and a niece Jennifer, of ()riffle A memorial service was held at St. Peter's Lutheran Church. Brodhagen on Monday, with the Reverend Arthur Horst officiating. Mr. F.11igsen was cremated with interment at St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery, Brod- hagen. Sorry, we goofed Oops we goofed. An article headlined "Union approves RTC contract," appearing on the front page of last week's Huron Expositor, contained a mistake The fifth paragraph of the article read, "The agreement also calls for an increase in boot and clothing allowance from $80 to $120 per year and an increase in on-call allowance from $46 to $55 per day " The increase in the on-call allowance is from $46 to $55 per week. not day The Expositor apologizes for any inconvenience this mistake might have caused Hinds shoots big crane in 1885 100 YEARS AGO John Hinds, of Brussels. shot a crane on the river at that place last Wednesday, that measured six feet, one inch from wingtip to • wingtip. The Executive Committee of the Scott Act Association in this County of Huron have decided to hold a mammoth temperance demonstration at Clinton on the 13th of October, at which several speakers of note will be present. 75 YEARS AGO John G. Young has been appointed tax collector for Stephen Township at a salary of $70. Mr. James Snell, the well-known stock man of Hullett, took over $100 in prizes at the big fair in Toronto. On Monday morning last, Mr. T.S. Blues' delivery horse was standing in front of the store when an automobile came along. The animal became frightened and bolted onto the sidewalk, where it slipped and fell, seriously injuring itself. 50 YEARS AGO Delayed harvest or anything else did not affect the attendance at the Seaforth Fall Fair on Friday of last week, as there was a record attendance and the largest gate in some years. An Oxford ewe owned by William J, Dale, of Kinburn, gave birth to twin lambs on Sunday, September 22. Last February, she gave birth to a single lamb. The Oxford breed are never known to lamb twice in one year and Mr. Dale, a breeder of many Wan experience had never heard of it before, certainly not three lambs to seven months. IN THE YEARS AGONE 25 YEARS AGO Seaforth's newest sports centre will open to the public Friday night. The new bowling lanes will be open for the first bowling at that time. Started in early June, the building is one of the most modern six -lane establishments in this part of Western Ontario. Huron County contributed $13,900.76 to World Refugee Year in a campaign held earlier this year. John G Berry, treasurer for the campaign reported that $13,507.59 had been forwarded to headquarters in Thmnto. the net proceeds from the drive. COMMUNITY CALENDAR if you're organizing a nnmprofit event .f i^•eres" ter Seat .r'h area residents, phone the recreation -thee as 527-0882 or 'he Exp• sr'r a' 527.0240 or mail the information to Community Calendar. The Hut n Expositor. Box 69. Seaforth, Ontario NOK 1 WO well in advance of 'he scheduled date Space for the Community Calendar is d;;na'ed by The Hurr,n Expositor Thursday, September 26 Tuesday, October 1 Friends and Family of the Schizophrenia in Huron County will meet October I, 1985 7:30 p.m., at Clinton Community Psychiatric Services, on Shipley Street across from Clinton Hospital. 9 p.m. Eagles' vs, Bandits Final Gane Do you have a meeting, game or special event planned for the near future? If so let us know so we can Inform the public. It's difficult to find out what's happening unless you're willing to keep us Informed. The community calendar Is an eight-day timetable of non-profit events going on In the community Let's keep each other on top of things.