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Regional sessions planned for Alzheimer's Awareness Month

‘Supporting people living with dementia, and their care partners, is a really important part of what we do,’ emphasizes Erin Celebre, a public education coordinator with the Alzheimer Society

In the spirit of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the team at the Alzheimer Society Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts, is going all out to inform people about the services available to those suffering from the disease.

Erin Celebre, public education coordinator with the Alzheimer Society, noted “There’s always a lot of interest in the workshops and sessions that we do, and they are well-attended.”

She added that the Alzheimer Society hosts workshops and sessions every month in various locations. However, throughout January, Celebre and staff also create booths and bulletin board displays around the region to bring awareness to the people.

Celebre noted, “Supporting people living with dementia, and their care partners, is a really important part of what we do.”

Alzheimer’s Canada estimates more than half a million Canadians are affected by dementia. One in five Canadians has experienced caring for someone living with dementia. Despite these high numbers, the organization noted there remains “Stigmatizing attitudes against dementia that misrepresent the realities of the disease and diminish the experiences of people living with dementia, families and caregivers.”

Moreover, Alzheimer’s Canada noted, “Many long-term care homes and hospitals are not equipped to meet the needs of Canadians living with dementia.”

See: Enhanced dementia care coming for seniors

For folks within the region affected by the disease, Celebre has some upcoming sessions for you. On January 13, you can take part in Introduction to Dementia and Communication. This takes place in North Bay, at 140 King Street West from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Registration is required, as space is limited.

Same for the Dementia Learning Series, which takes place at The Empire in North Bay at 425 Fraser Street. These take place on January 15, 22, and 29 from 10 a.m. to noon.

These sessions are free.

The Alzheimer Society Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts is also setting up a few Alzheimer’s Awareness Month booths throughout the region. Stop by to learn more about the programs and services offered and feel free to ask some questions of the staff.

Listed below are the days and locations of those booths. Note that you don’t have to register for these, just stop by during the posted hours:

  • January 14, North Bay Mall (North Bay) from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • January 21, West Nipissing Public Library (Sturgeon Falls) from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
  • January 28, Au Chateau (Sturgeon Falls) from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • January 30, Wellwise (North Bay) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The awareness campaign doesn’t end there, as the Alzheimer Society is also creating a few resource displays where people can find information. Come January 20, you can see one at the East Ferris Public Library in Astorville. Others can be found at the North Bay Public Library and at 250 Clark in Powassan.

For more information, and to register for those above sessions, visit the Alzheimer Society of Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts’ website.

David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.


David Briggs, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

About the Author: David Briggs, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering civic and diversity issues for BayToday. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada
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