Women doubly affected by Alzheimer Disease, says local agency

By: Liz Dadson  January 8, 2015  1368

January is Alzheimer Disease awareness month and this year, the focus is on women because they are doubly affected by this debilitating disease.
That's the word from Deborah Barker, executive director of the Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce.

Each year, the Alzheimer Society focuses on a specific aspect of Alzheimer Disease and other forms of dementia in order to create new awareness and to encourage more individuals to seek early diagnosis and support.

“Women represent 72 per cent of Canadians living with Alzheimer Disease," says Barker. "They could be your mothers, wives, sisters, grandmothers or friends – even you.”

The Alzheimer Society is kicking off Alzheimer awareness month with a nationwide campaign called "The 72%." It aims to inform women in their 40s and older, about the warning signs of Alzheimer Disease and how the Alzheimer Society can help.

Why women?

“Women live longer than men and age is a significant risk factor," Barker says. “That’s why there are more women living with Alzheimer Disease than men.”

The impact on women is twofold. They also account for 70 per cent of family caregivers, says Barker. Caregiving can take a tremendous toll on women who often eventually provide round-the-clock care. The burden is especially high for women raising families and holding down jobs.

“The 2015 campaign is intended to make Alzheimer Disease a women’s issue,” Barker says. “Women lead busy, hectic lives, and often pay the price with their own health and well-being. We’re asking them to invest time in understanding the warning signs.
"We encourage women to reach out to the Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce, whether they’re concerned about getting Alzheimer’s, have just been diagnosed, or are caregivers. Our role is to support them throughout the disease.”

Take a moment to know the signs:

1. Memory loss that affects day-to-day function
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks
3. Problems with language
4. Disorientation of time and place
5. Poor or decreased judgement
6. Problems with abstract thinking
7. Misplacing things
8. Changes in mood and behaviour
9. Changes in personality
10. Loss of initiative

Warning signs are often misunderstood or ignored, but they are critical, Barker says. “In absence of a cure, early diagnosis allows for treatment and support so people can live as well as possible and start planning for their future needs.

“Women traditionally monitor the health of their families so it’s even more important they understand this disease to be able to recognize changes in those for whom they are caring.”

The Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce invites everyone, including women, to visit the agency's website at www.alzheimer.ca/greybruce, to take a moment and learn the warning signs of Alzheimer's and then share them with friends and families on Facebook and Twitter.

Visitors will also be able to download other helpful resources.

Alzheimer Disease facts:

• Alzheimer Disease is the leading form of dementia. It is progressive and eventually, fatal.
• Today, 747,000 Canadians are living with some form of dementia. This number will nearly double to 1.4-million in less than 20 years. For every person diagnosed, there are many who are directly affected as caregivers.    
• The risk of dementia doubles every five years after age 65. Accumulating evidence shows the disease can lie dormant in the brain up to 25 years before symptoms appear.  
• Common warning signs of Alzheimer Disease include: memory loss, impaired judgement, thinking or reasoning and changes in personality and behaviour that are out of character.  In addition to age, other risks factors include: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and smoking.

Share

Tweet

Written By

Liz Dadson

Liz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.

Comments (0)

1. No Comments.

Leave a Comment

By submitting this form, I consent that my name (and email, if provided) will be published on kincardinerecord.com as part of this story.