January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

13 Jan January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month … you are not alone.

More than half a million Canadians are living with dementia
today.  Approximately 71,000 of them are under age 65.*

Within a generation, the number of Canadians with dementia will more than double to 1.1 million.  This year alone, more than 103,000 Canadians will develop dementia.  This is equivalent to one person every five minutes.  By 2038, this will become one person every two minutes, or more than 257,000 people per year.

This year, Alzheimer Societies across Canada will be promoting the importance of early diagnosis for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.  They will be releasing the results of a study with important information for those who are concerned about possible symptoms of dementia in themselves or someone they care about.

Dementia is an umbrella term for a variety of brain disorders. It is not a normal part of aging.  Symptoms include loss of memory, judgment and reasoning, difficulty performing familiar tasks, problems with language and changes in mood and behaviour.  These become worse over time.

Brain function is affected enough to interfere with a person’s ability to function at work, in relationships or in everyday activities.  Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Other dementias include Vascular dementia, Frontotemporal dementia (including Pick’s disease), Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease and Lewy body dementia.  No cure currently exists for these diseases but medication and lifestyle changes can slow symptoms.  The good news is that Researchers are confident that within seven to 10 years they will have treatments that target the disease itself, not just the symptoms.

Dementia is most often diagnosed in people 65 and older, but it can begin to develop well before signs appear – as early as age 40.   If you are concerned for yourself or a family member, don’t leave it to chance. Talk to your family doctor or visit your local Alzheimer Society. The earlier the diagnosis the sooner you can get help.  For more information, contact our local Brampton Alzheimer’s Society office or visit their website at www.alzheimerpeel.com

Alzheimer Society Peel – Brampton Counseling
150 East Drive
Brampton, ON L6T 1C1
Phone: (905) 792-1319

Take care of yourself and those you love.  Find out more about dementia – what to look for and where to get help in our community.  There is help and hope.

Georgia Mouka, Volunteer Blogger for Brampton Meals on Wheels

(*Source:  Alzheimer Society of Canada)