Many Cowichan Valley residents are making one of their most important New Year’s resolutions.
They’re becoming Dementia Friends, committing to learning a little bit about dementia so they can be supportive toward people with the illness, which has become one of the country’s most pressing health issues. Statistics suggest three out of four area residents know someone living with dementia.
“People affected by dementia continue to live in and be a part of our communities, and we can support them to stay connected in ways that are meaningful for them,” says Jane Hope, of the non-profit Alzheimer Society of B.C. for the Valley and the Central and North Island.
The Dementia Friend campaign is the cornerstone of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, which runs until the end of January.
Becoming a Dementia Friend is easy, says Hope. The process starts by signing up at DementiaFriends.ca. The next step is to understand five simple things about dementia: it is not a natural part of aging, it is not just about losing your memory, it is possible to live well with dementia, there is more to a person than a diagnosis of dementia and the Alzheimer Society of B.C. can help people with dementia and their care partners.
For information call Jane Hope toll-free at 1-800-462-2833 or jhope@alzheimerbc.org, or visit www. alzheimerbc.org