World Alzheimer’s Day is this Saturday.
In the lead-up, the Alzheimer Society for Kenora-Rainy River has scheduled a variety of events to raise awareness.
“This week is really important for the Alzheimer’s Society because we want to raise awareness and stop to end the stigma about dementia and people living with it,” says Client Services Coordinator Rily Rieu.
“Oftentimes, people are afraid to share that they have dementia. They’re afraid of what their family will say, their friends, their neighbours, their community. A big part of my role is to talk with people, to educate people on dementia and effective strategies for communication, to set everybody up for success.”
One event gives people a better understanding of what it is like living with dementia.
The Dementia Experience is a 30-minute session that gives participants an interactive and hands-on experience.
“Over the years that we’ve offered this, we’ve had tremendous feedback from this approach. It just puts things into perspective for those that have, you know, gone through this experience.”
“Maybe they become more patient with their spouse, or maybe they’re more understanding of what their dad is experiencing kind of thing. And it just really adds value to it.”
The program will be offered in Kenora on September 25th, Fort Frances on September 18th, and Dryden on September 18th for families and September 19th for caregivers.
Other events in Kenora include an information booth at the Kenora Library on September 16th.
There will be a charity barbeque at the Alzheimer Society’s Kenora office from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Society staff will also be at the Farmer’s Market on Wednesday, September 18th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to hand out ribbons, a symbol of the awareness.
In Fort Frances, the area’s Client Services Coordinator, Mary O’Connor will offer a presentation called ‘Interacting Effectively with a Person Living with Dementia.’
This takes place on Tuesday, September 17, beginning at 1 p.m.
Also at the library on the same day, there will be free hearing tests starting at 2:30 p.m.
There will also be an information table at the Fort Frances Safeway Store from 2-4 p.m. on Friday, September 20th.
In Dryden, there will be a Memory Lane Cafe at the Dryden Go-Getters Activity Centre for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
For further information on any of the events or to register for the Dementia Experience, contact the Society’s Kenora office at 807-468-1516.
