ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF MANITOBA
WHERE TO TURN FOR DEMENTIA CARE BY JENNIFER MCFEE
It’s not always easy to know where to turn for help with dementia and related care, but it’s important to know that you are not alone.
According to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, about 62 percent of Manitobans know a family member or friend living with dementia. “Currently, there are over 600,000 Canadians living with dementia, and over 18,400 of those are Manitobans,” says Jessica Harper of the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. “This number is growing — and by 2050, it is expected to reach 39,100 Manitobans.” Dementia is a broad umbrella term describing a variety of symptoms that may include memory loss and mood changes, as well as difficulties with thinking, problem-solving and language, Harper explains. These symptoms are significant enough that they affect day- to-day abilities as well as a person’s ability to function at work, in social relationships or in general activities of daily living. “Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases or a series of strokes,” she adds. “As more brain cells become damaged over time, the symptoms of dementia gradually progress.” Many diseases can cause dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease is the most common, making up about 64 percent of dementia diagnoses in Canada. Other types include Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, mixed dementia and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. For Manitobans impacted by dementia, support is available.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Jessica Harper, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba
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MATURE 7
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