Alzheimer Awareness Month

Tuesday, 6 January 2015 15:54

This year's theme for the month is the 72 Percent .

OXFORD COUNTY - Journeying with people and working to make the journey easier is the purpose of the Alzheimer Society of Oxford.

That's according to Executive Director Shelley Green as the society kicks off Alzheimer Awareness month.

"We really want to encourage people who are concerned about themselves or who are concerned about members in their own family, to reach out to the Alzheimer Society. It's never too early to call us with concerns, we're here to speak with you, we're here to provide education, we're here to provide support, that's the very reason why the Alzheimer Society of Oxford is here."

The local office offers a variety of programs and services ranging from before diagnosis to after death including Volunteer Companion program, Medic-Alert Safely Home Registry and Reducing the Risk of Dementia which is open to anyone in the public. "There's a lot of really positive things that people can do now to protect their brain health, living a healthy lifestyle we've learned is very, very important. Eating well, exercising regularly, keeping your numbers for your blood pressure, your cholesterol in a healthy level, keeping your brain stimulated, staying socially active -- those are all things that people can do now to keep themselves healthy."

This year's campaign, "The 72%" focuses on the education and awareness of women's health with Alzheimer and dementia. Recent stats indicate that women constitute for 72% of the current cases and 70% of those caring or providing round-the-clock care for Alzheimer/dementia patients are women. It aims to inform women in their 40’s and older about the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, brain health and how the Alzheimer Society can help.

Approximately 200,000 people in Ontario are living with dementia and new cases are on the rise. The number of people living with dementia is expected to increase to 250,000 by 2020.

Green says locally, over 2000 residents are currently living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

The Alzheimer Society of Oxford will be hosting their annual Walk For Memories this month -- Saturday January 24th from 9:00 - 11:00 am in Tillsonburg at the Lion's Auditorium and 3:00 - 4:30 pm at Ingersoll's UNIFOR Hall. Woodstock's event will be held Saturday January 31st at the Oxford Auditorium from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Click here