January is Alzheimer’s
Awareness Month 

In recognition of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the West Fraser Guild and the Visitor Information Centre at Green Square will shine bright in blue for the month of January.

The colour blue signifies individuals that are currently experiencing Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. The Light it Up Blue campaign was created to help raise awareness on Alzheimer disease, services available for families in our area and to help our community become more dementia friendly.

All throughout January, the Alzheimer Society of Canada plans to do their best to connect people living with dementia and their families to support networks and a sense of community.

According to the Society, more than half-a-million Canadians live with dementia today, and they expect the number to reach 1.7 million by 2050. This rising number is a major factor in the society dedicating time and support to help those in need early-on in their journey with dementia.

A focus in this year’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is the Alzheimer’s Society’s First Link program. The First Link program’s goal is to ensure people living with dementia and their caregivers have the right support and information by the time of the initial diagnosis and moving forward as dementia progresses.

To access more information on the First Link program, the Alzheimer’s Society encourages those affected to visit their website https://alzheimer.ca/ab/en.

“By understanding what Alzheimer’s is and how it affects a person and their family, we are better prepared to support people with Alzheimer’s and their families.” - Alzheimer’s Society

During this month, the Society encourages organizations across Canada, and individuals like you, to learn more about dementia and its stark impact on Canadians.
And while Alzheimer's Awareness Month may stop at the end of January, the experiences of people who live with dementia do not. As such, take what you learn during the month and continue to share it throughout the year.
By understanding what people living with dementia experience in their day-to-day-lives – their struggles, their successes, and their hopes – together we can raise awareness of dementia throughout Canada.
Awareness is the first step to fighting stigma, reinforcing human rights, and pushing for policy change, as well as other actions that can lift up Canadians living with dementia.

For caregivers and family members of people living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia (spouses, family, or friends), Charlene Sitar, Elder Abuse Supports Navigator with the Town of Hinton FCSS, in cooperation with the Alzheimer’s Society of Alberta & Northwest Territories, offers a peer support group for caregivers.

Dementia can leave those with the disease and their care partners feeling isolated. However, you are not alone. There are other people to share the journey with you. This group is offered the first Tuesday of each month. For more information or to register, please contact Charlene at 780-223-8009 to register.

Please support Alzheimer's Awareness Month. It's an easy start to helping your fellow Canadians who are living with this serious disease.