By Ethan Ready

Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Fight against stigma continues for residents affected by dementia

Jan 7, 2020 | 4:30 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – January marks yet another Alzheimer’s Awareness Month campaign.

With it comes another year of working towards reducing the stigma associated with the disease, especially following a 2017 study conducted by the Alzheimer Society of Canada.

Based on the results collected from the 1,500 Canadians between the ages of 18 and 65 who participated in the survey, some worrisome numbers were revealed:

• 61 per cent fear they’d face some form of discrimination if they or a family member were to suffer from the disease;
• Over 40 per cent would feel embarrassed if they were to be diagnosed with the disease;
• One in four felt they would feel some form of social isolation and avoided;
• Five per cent of people surveyed said that if they were to find out they had a diagnosis of dementia they would seek help.

Also, it was found that people living with dementia didn’t want to be a burden along with the fear of losing their own independence.

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These numbers all bring people like Laurie De Croos, First Link Support and Education Coordinator with the Alzheimer Society of B.C., into an on-going fight to break down barriers and reduce the stigma associated to Alzheimer’s and forms of dementia.

“When we have a disease of dementia, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a meaningful life. It means your life may be different but it can still be meaningful. Also, your story doesn’t end with a diagnosis of dementia because you’re forgetting or you’re not the same person, it just means your journey continues with dementia being a part of that story.”

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. connected people living with dementia, their caregivers and family members to support and education at any point in the disease through First Link dementia support.

In Prince George, residents can connect to support by asking their health-care provider for a referral, by visiting their local resource centre or by calling the First Link Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. in Prince George can be reached at 250-564-7533.

On January 14th, Alzheimer’ Society of B.C. will be holding a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall at 1 p.m. to further celebrate Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.