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January is Alzheimer’s awareness month and the province of British Columbia has begun work to create more dementia-friendly communities.
With support from the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia, the North and Central Okanagan Alzheimer Resource Center is working in partner with local government to encourage more dementia friendly communities. A toolkit called, “Dementia-Friendly Communities,” is being provided to local governments as a new resource to make communities more supportive of people with dementia.
Dementia is the overall term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain, Alzheimer's being one of those diseases. Alzheimer’s disease destroys brain cells, causing thinking ability and memory to deteriorate. Symptoms of dementia may include memory loss, challenges thinking and problem solving, and in severe cases, can affect a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.
The initiative is still in its early stages, but the toolkit provides governments with resources, networks, and programs to support those with dementia, as well as caregivers and families.
Resources currently in place in the Central Okanagan region include First Link, “an early intervention service designed to connect individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia with services and support as soon as possible after diagnosis.”
While many people associate memory loss with aging, the Alzheimer's Society of Canada says there are a number of ways to tell the difference between the normal aging and dementia. Those suffering from dementia will often not be able to recall details of recent events or conversations and may not recognize or know names of family members.
For more information on the resources available to those diagnosed with dementia, as well as for caregivers and families, visit the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia’s website.
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