Even as the population of North Bay diminishes, diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease (or related dementia) continue to rise. A combination of longer life expectancy, improved diagnostic tools, and the shedding of the stigma surrounding the disease are contributing factors.
Still, 1,600 confirmed cases (or 3.1 per cent) from a population of 51,500 is a telling figure when compared to the national average of 1.6 per cent, derived from the Alzheimer Society of Canada figure of 564,000 currently living with dementia from an overall population of 35.85 million. Including North Bay's surrounding areas in the equation continues to produce a result higher than the nationwide figure.
Families, friends, and caregivers of those affected by dementia gathered Sunday afternoon at the Kiwanis Bandshell in solidarity with the Alzheimer Society Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts to "Walk to Make Memories Matter."
All funds raised for the pledge-based walk stay within the community and will go toward front-line programs and support services for those 1,600 local citizens and future patients. According to the Alzheimer Society, the disease "accounts for more years lived with a disability than heart disease, stroke, and all forms of cancer."
Ashlin Rich, a representative of the North Bay district Alzheimer Society said Sunday that the importance of the role of families and caregivers (often one and the same) cannot be overlooked when it comes to Alzheimer's patients. Many of those on hand were walking in support of a relative.
The funds raised will help to augment current programs offered to patients at the Alzheimer Society. Art therapy and art-related activities that provide a chance for socialization are available, as is the Minds in Motion program that runs for eight weeks and combines physical activity with mental stimulation.
"Art gets their brains moving, it's better than staying home and watching TV. Caregivers use that time for respite as well, because we do lack a lot of respite services in the area," added Rich.
Rich also touted the Living Well With Dementia program, a tool for local businesses to help educate on interactions with customers who are dementia patients. Businesses can become certified and then post an emblem in their window to signify that the business is dementia-friendly.
"We have our iPod music therapy program," a program that has shown positive results, said Rich. "We make a personalized playlist and we find that music really helps stimulate the memory. It's not just the songs they remember," but what that song is associated with, such as a wedding song.
The Alzheimer Society not only offers programming for patients but also offers memory testing as an aid for medical professionals who ultimately make the diagnosis. Alzheimer's falls under the umbrella term "dementia," and is categorized by the progression of the disease and the signs and symptoms shown.
Dementia by the numbers, courtesy of the Alzheimer Society of Canada:
- 5% The percentage of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s (CIHR) budget invested in dementia research
- 45% The greater your risk of developing dementia if you smoke
- 65% Of those diagnosed with dementia over the age of 65 are women
- 16,000 The number of Canadians under the age of 65 living with dementia
- 25,000 The number of new cases of dementia diagnosed every year
- 56,000 The number of Canadians with dementia being cared for in hospitals even though this is not an ideal location for care
- 564,000 Canadians are currently living with dementia
- 937,000 The number of Canadians who will be living with the disease in 15 years
- 1.1 million The number of Canadians affected directly or indirectly by the disease
- $10.4 billion The annual cost to Canadians to care for those living with dementia
