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Have you ever have a day where you left the grocery list on the counter and forgot what you needed at the grocery store? Who hasn’t? This is a scenario which has happened to many of us at some point in our lives, and it doesn’t mean that you have Alzheimer’s.

Have you ever had a funny story you wanted to share with your family and friends and when you walked into the room you forgot what you were going to say to them? Here too, failing to remember a story isn’t a sure-fire sign of dementia. Many of us find these moments annoying when they happen, but more often than not we can laugh them off and move on with our lives.

Where things can become more concerning is when these sorts of events start happening more frequently, perhaps even every day. When the laughter about lapsed memories is taken over by worry and anxiety, it’s time to ask for help. When you start to feel like you are losing control of situations, and this is affecting your confidence, it’s probably a good time to schedule a doctor’s visit.

Another good first step can be visiting your local Alzheimer’s Society, at 100 Strowger Boulevard (Unit 107) in Brockville. It is a place where you and your family members can get help along the journey, be free of judgment, and feel safe in your community.

The Alzheimer’s Society of Lanark Leeds Grenville provides support with a host of programs and services, advocacy and public education, adult day programs and weekend respite for caregivers, dementia-friendly training and brain booster programs. The Society also funds research to improve care and find new medical treatments.

Did You Know?

• Today, one in 11 Canadians over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s or a related disease. As more and more people are being affected by Alzheimer’s, chances are you will know someone who is living with the illness; perhaps a relative, a neighbor, a co-worker or a friend.
• Over half a million Canadians are living with dementia today, excluding the thousands of family members who provide direct care. In the next 12 years, nearly a million Canadians will have dementia. This illness affects people of all different ages, ethnicity and social economic backgrounds.

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Ask anyone who has the condition or is impacted as a caretaker that one of the biggest obstacles for people living with Dementia/Alzheimer’s is the stigma associated with the illness. The Alzheimer’s Society of Canada wants to shine the light on this illness and educate the public and move toward acceptance and compassion. This is the second year of an awareness campaign called Yes. I live with dementia. Let me help you understand.

As part of the campaign the Leeds Grenville chapter is also running contests every week during the month of January on their Facebook page with a variety of different prizes. The main goal is to get everyone thinking about dementia and talking about it openly to break the stigma.

The Chapter has a monthly giving program called our 15 Campaign. You commit to $15.00 on the 15th of each month for a minimum of one year. Your support helps with programs and research. If you want more information visit: https://alzheimer.ca/en/lanark