(Angie Rolheiser/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

ABC's of Dementia

Alzheimer Society stops in Melfort to talk about the ‘ABC’s of Dementia’

Jul 18, 2019 | 5:00 PM

The Alzheimer Society made a stop in Melfort on Thursday, July 18.

The group was at the Melfort Public Library talking about the ‘ABC’s of Dementia’. The Alzheimer Society has been in Melfort before giving these presentations, and Public Awareness Coordinator Abby Wolfe said they want to keep getting the word out.

“Really trying to encourage people to learn more about dementia,” she said. “To recognize the warning signs, and the fact that it’s about more than just memory.”

Right now in Saskatchewan, there are over 19,000 people living with dementia, a number that is expected to rise to 20,000 in 2020.

“And what that boils down to is that every 24 hours, someone develops dementia,” Wolfe told northeastNOW. “So Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, but it is only one type, and there are many more.”

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The main aspect of the presentations is to talk about the abilities, behaviors, and communication associated with dementia. There was also talk about the resources, and how we can eliminate the stigmas that come along with dementia.

“I think awareness is increasing,” Wolfe said. “That’s certainly something that’s very important, because awareness is that core piece to understanding. And having better recognition about what someone with dementia can experience allows us to then think about ways that we can be supportive and inclusive.”

Wolfe said they want people to also know that dementia does not only affect older people, meaning everyone is encouraged to go to the presentations to learn more about the disease.

She added that the response to the presentations have been very good.

“Quite often when we have attendees come out to these presentations they are giving us feedback that, it has helped them learn more about it, it has helped dispel some common myths or misconceptions around dementia, of which there are many,” she said. “And it’s a good way to pick up on information for absolutely anyone.”

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6