Alzheimer Information Guide Winter 2024

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There are approximately 3,000 persons living with a form of dementia in Lambton County. Our Case for Support You can help alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Many people experience some memory loss as they get older. But only a portion of people develop dementia that progresses from mild to severe over several years. Dementia, like any other health condition, requires treatment and interventions to allow the person affected to have the best quality of life possible. Each year the Alzheimer Society of Sarnia-Lambton helps close to 1000 people live better with dementia. With few medical options to slow the progression of dementia and no cure, a diagnosis of dementia can feel hopeless and isolating. The services provided by the Alzheimer Society help to reduce the stigma associated with dementia and ensure people living with this disease have a network of support and the help they need to live well. Supports and services are provided to both the person living with dementia and their care partner to help them navigate the dementia journey from the very beginning. We have come a long way in the past five years, introducing new programs and services and doubling the number of clients we serve. However, our population is aging and the number of people living with dementia is expected to triple within the next 30 By Marie Marcy-Smids years. We are already experiencing strain on our capacity to meet the needs of our clients, and we know this will only get worse. Wait times result in unnecessary hospital admission and early admission to long-term care Currently, our clients face waits of up to three weeks for intake. This is simply not acceptable. Many of those who reach out to us do so in the later stages of their dementia journey when they have reached a point of crisis; a time when they need service in that moment. If supports are not accessible at the time they are needed, the only option is to access service through the emergency department, resulting in hospital admission or early admission to long-term care. This situation is avoidable. Family care partners deserve better. People living with dementia deserve better, and you can help. The Alzheimer Society of Sarnia- Lambton is fortunate to receive funding from Ontario Health, but it is not enough. It is not enough now, as we face a $125,000 deficit just to maintain our current service levels; and it will not be enough in the coming years as the need for service continues to grow. Your financial gift and support can directly affect our wait times for service and help us expand programming. It will directly improve the quality of life for both people living with dementia and their care partners. SLEEP HEALTH SERVICES & CPAP SUPPLIES Sleep apnea and Alzheimer’s are directly linked. Many studies show that sleep apnea can contribute to paents developing Alzheimer’s disease and many people with Alzheimer’s do have sleep apnea. Restwell would like to recognize Alzheimer’s disease by helping our community in any way we can. If you think you have problems sleeping, give us a call today! • Free CPAP Machine Consultaon & Assessment • CPAP Supplies & Sleep Accessories • Home Sleep Apnea Tesng - In your home, no wait list, professionally analyzed & sent to your doctor in 1-2 weeks • Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Joel Clarke RPSGT, RCT Execuve Director 481 London Rd Sarnia, ON 226-776-8891 RestwellSarnia.ca Please contact us for more informaon - We are always happy to help! Memory loss that affects Sign1 day-to-day abilities It is normal to occasionally forget appointments, colleagues’ names or a friend’s phone number only to remember them a short while later. However, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may forget things more often or may have difficulty recalling information that has recently been learned. Difficulty performing Sign2 familiar tasks Busy people can be so distracted from time to time that they may forget to serve part of a meal, only to remember about it later. However, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may have trouble completing tasks that have been familiar to them all their lives, such as preparing a meal or playing a game. Problems with Sign3 language Anyone can have trouble finding the right word to express what they want to say. However, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may forget simple words or may substitute words such that what they are saying is difficult to understand. Disorientation in time Sign4 and space It is common to forget the day of the week or ones destination - for a moment. But people with Alzheimer’s disease can become lost on their own street, not knowing how they got there or how to get home. 10 Impaired Sign5 judgment From time to time, people may make questionable decisions such as putting off seeing a doctor when they are not feeling well. However, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may experience changes in judgment or decision-making, such as not recognizing a medical problem that needs attention or wearing heavy clothing on a hot day. Problems with abstract Sign6 thinking From time to time, people may have difficulty with tasks that require abstract thinking, such as balancing a chequebook. However, someone with Alzheimer’s disease may have significant difficulties with such tasks because of a loss of understanding what numbers are and how they are used. Misplacing things Sign7 Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or keys. However, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in inappropriate places: for example, an iron in the freezer or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl. Is it Alzheimer’s disease? WARNING SIGNS Changes in Sign 8 mood and behaviour Anyone can feel sad or moody from time to time. However, someone with Alzheimer’s disease can show varied mood swings - from calmness to tears to anger - for no apparent reason. Sign Changes in personality 9 Personalities can change in subtle ways over time. However, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may experience more striking personality changes and can become confused, suspicious or withdrawn. Changes may also include lack of interest, fearfulness or acting out of character. Sign Loss of initiative 10 It is normal to tire of housework, business activities or social obligations, but most people regain their initiative. However, a person with Alzheimer’s disease may become passive and disinterested, and require cues and prompting to become involved. 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HEALTHY HEARING & BRAIN TIPS: MEDS RX M E D S R X Almost 80% of the public are concerned about developing dementia at some point. Mindfulness: Start by being mindful of your stress level noise exposure, daily habits, and overall health. • Be aware of your stress levels • Use meditation and deep breathing to reduce stress • Limit exposure to loud sounds to protect your hearing and brain • Be mindful of preventing or effectively managing chronic conditions Exercise: Stay active and move your body. • Move your body regularly to stay healthy • Aim for 30 minutes a day, even in shorter sessions • Talk to a doctor before starting a new exercise routine Diet: Choose good foods for your body and brain. • Eat fruits and veggies to protect your brain with antioxidants • Have lean proteins like chicken and fish for a healthy brain • Don’t eat too much sugar or bad fats, and drink plenty of water Sleep: Time to talk about sleep and how it helps your brain. • Aim for 7 to 9 hours each night • Keep a regular sleep schedule Relationships: Focus on the importance of staying connected. • Stay connected with family and friends • Being social is good for your brain • Regular contact and social activities help prevent loneliness • Join clubs, volunteer, or make new friends • Seek help if you feel very lonely Extras: Here are some extra tips to keep your brain sharp and safe. • Treat all hearing loss, get regular hearing checks • Challenge your mind with memory games and puzzles • Stay safe and prevent falls SCHEDULE YOUR HEARING TEST NOW Bluewater Hearing & Balance (519) 344-8887 | www.bluewaterhearing.ca Sarnia: 714 London Road, Sarnia Ontario N7T 4X6 A Message from our CEO The Alzheimer Society of Sarnia Lambton offers support, information, education, and system navigation to people living with dementia, their families, and their care partners. We strive to increase public awareness of dementia and advocate for services that respect the dignity of the individual. Our caring team of staff and volunteers work diligently to fulfill the Society’s mission, to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and to promote research. Support is available to anyone affected by memory loss or dementia, and our staff work with healthcare professionals, and other community agencies so that they too can provide person-centred and meaningful support to people living with dementia. The Society prides itself on forwardthinking, collaborative, inclusive, diverse, and equitable practices and is recognized as a leading resource in the community. We make informed decisions based on input from our clients and our community. We know that social isolation is one of the most difficult outcomes for people living with dementia and their care partners. The benefits of active Dementia is a call for us all to be more patient in a busy world. living programs and social programs can help reduce isolation and relieve care partner stress. Evidence demonstrates that programs such as day programs, respite, social recreation, education, support groups and counseling assist people to live well in our community. It also eases the burden on our healthcare system. In the testimonials included in this publication, you can see the wonderful feedback received from clients participating in our services. We hope this publication will be helpful for you to learn more about our services and programs and how they can help you, your family member, your neighbour or anyone else in Lambton County living with dementia. Clients have shared that they wish they had connected with the Alzheimer Society earlier to help with navigation throughout their journey. Early intervention has proven to be helpful to everyone involved. Do not hesitate to reach out to us for more information or support. ilivewithdementia.ca | #ilivewithdementia (Melanie Bouck, CEO) Welcome to ... THE CLUB Sarnia Lambton’s MAGAZINE FOR 55 + LIKE NO OTHER! It has been a great honour for us to partner with the Alzheimer Society in creating this important publication. THANK YOU for all the work you do to benefit our communities. welcometotheclub.ca • 519-491-1676 Volunteer Opportunities Alzheimer Society Sarnia-Lambton provides help for people living with dementia and their care partners. We need people of all ages, skills, and interests to help plan, coordinate, advocate, organize, lead and inspire. We will do our best to match your skill set and interests with our need for support. How you can help: • Individual and Group Supports • Social Activation Programs: Minds in Motion, Inspirational Moments, Forget Me Not Social Club • Client Services Support • Special Events and Fundraising Support • Young Leader Collective • Bingos • Board of Directors To get involved: Call: 519-332-4444 Email: arand@alzheimersarnia.ca Web: alzheimer.ca/sarnialambton alzheimersarnia.ca Page 3
Page 1: Alzheimer’s Awareness INFORMATION
Page 5 and 6: 350,000 persons in Canada experienc
Page 7 and 8: 1 in 11 persons over the age of 65
Page 9 and 10: Up to three quarters of those livin
Page 11 and 12: Over 50% of carers globally say the

Alzheimer Information Guide Winter 2024

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