While the memories of people affected with dementia may fade, the Alzheimer Society wants to ensure those with the disease and their caregivers are not forgotten.

Therefore, when faced with a diagnosis of dementia, knowing where to get information about the progressive disease is vital, said Shawna Gillis, the navigator at the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, Yellowknife chapter.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is true that there is no cure, but there is help out there, and people can still live a good life with dementia,SA国际影视传媒� Gillis said.

January is AlzheimerSA国际影视传媒檚 Awareness Month and Gillis said the one of the first steps towards seeking help is the First Link early intervention program offered by the society.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think the biggest thing is just finding that support in your community and in your circle of friends and family, and that everyoneSA国际影视传媒檚 on board and accepting the diagnosis and the next step,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

First link, first step

The First Link program was designed to connect people with the external support they require to begin navigating the health services and information that will assist both the person diagnosed and those involved in their care, according to Gillis.

An initial two-hour session provides the basic information about the effects of dementia on the cognitive functions of the brain.

SA国际影视传媒淭hat program is currently offered virtually but we will have in-person sessions available here in Yellowknife this year,SA国际影视传媒� Gillis said, adding that anyone across the territory can join a virtual, hybrid-type session.

SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of families and caregivers find this really helpful because it gives them communication skills for when theySA国际影视传媒檙e dealing with the person and that kind of helps them to understand whatSA国际影视传媒檚 going on with them.SA国际影视传媒�

Gillis said once that initial contact is established, programs such as the in-person care partner support group prove helpful as well as the LetSA国际影视传媒檚 Sing program. The latter program incorporates music and song into an interactive setting and gives participants the opportunity to revive long-term memories unaffected by the disease.

Participants SA国际影视传媒榗ome aliveSA国际影视传媒�

One of the AlzheimerSA国际影视传媒檚 society volunteers in the LetSA国际影视传媒檚 Sing program, Martha MacLellan, said itSA国际影视传媒檚 heartwarming to see residents SA国际影视传媒渃ome aliveSA国际影视传媒� when they hear a song from long ago.

SA国际影视传媒淥ne song SA国际影视传媒� Sweet Caroline SA国际影视传媒� was someoneSA国际影视传媒檚 favourite. It triggers memories,SA国际影视传媒� MacLellan said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 good for family to participate SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 something positive to do.SA国际影视传媒�

Gillis said the grant-based, volunteer-run program, supported by Aven Manor and the Yellowknife Community Foundation, held its fourth session last fall and itSA国际影视传媒檚 open to both residents of Avens and the public.

SA国际影视传媒淲e hope to be able to run this again in the near future,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

During AlzheimerSA国际影视传媒檚 Awareness Month, Gillis said the society has plans to have an information table at the Co-op grocery store and then in May, the AlzheimerSA国际影视传媒檚 Walk will be held. She encourages people to reach out to the society for more information about any of its programs or about the disease.

According to the AlzheimerSA国际影视传媒檚 Society of Canada, more than 600,000 Canadians have dementia and that number is increased by more than 350 each day. By 2030, upwards of 1 million people could have the disease.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think everyone that you can talk to has at least a family member or someone that they know affected by it,SA国际影视传媒� Gillis said.

SA国际影视传媒擝y Jill Westerman