Dee Hon
Special to the Chief
It's been 100 years since two German scientists, Emil Kraepelin, and Alois Alzheimer, discovered plaques and tangles ravaging the brain of a person suffering from dementia.
Their work in 1906 eventually led scientists to acknowledge that dementia, once regarded as a normal part of aging, is in fact a disease.
This month, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. is teaming up with the geriatric outreach program at the Sea to Sky region's mental health services to promote January as Alzheimer Awareness Month.
Their goal is to let people know what resources are available for people affected by the disease, and also to raise funding for research.
An educational display will be set up all month at the Squamish Public Library. Other events are planned as well."Our main goal is to improve the quality of life for those affected by the disease," said Gail Whitney, a support and education coordinator for the society.
Alzheimer Disease is an often-devastating decline in brain function that affects many people as they age.
"Aging is the number one risk factor," said Donna Howard, who coordinates the geriatric outreach program in Squamish.
Howard said about 40 per cent of people who reach their 90s will have Alzheimer Disease. People with later onset of the disease often have a less dramatic progression of symptoms than people who first experience symptoms in their 40s and 50s. While no cure has yet been discovered, Howard said early diagnosis can make the disease more manageable and more effectively treated.
Many people associate Alzheimer Disease with memory loss, but Howard said that's just one of the warning signs.
"Some of the early symptoms aren't memory loss," she said.
Some people experience severe depression. Insomnia is another possible sign.
Howard said that by recognizing these signs, people can seek treatment for their depression, sleeplessness, or other symptoms. Those treatments won't stop the course of the disease, but can improve a person's quality of life.
Genetics can be a risk factor for Alzheimer Disease, as is aging. But Howard said people can exert control over other factors. Exercise can delay cognitive decline. Eating sensibly can reduce risk factors such as diabetes, high cholesterol, weight, and high blood pressure. Being mentally and socially active can improve brain function, and stave off stress and depression.
People who are interested in some exercise and social activity can join the Alzheimer Society of BC's Walk for Mem-ories on Sunday Jan. 22 and help raise funds for the society at the same time.
Anyone interested can register online at www.walkformemories.com, or simply show up at the event, which starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Stanley Park Rowing Club in Vancouver. Registration lasts until 10 a.m., when the walk begins. Non-participants are of course, welcome to donate and can call 1-800-667-3742 for information.
Anyone looking for help or resources can call the Alzheimer Society's dementia help line at 1-800-936-6033, or Vancouver Coastal Health's geriatric outreach program coordinator Donna Howard at 604-892-2293. There are support groups, books, videos, and other resources available to help anyone affected by the disease.
