-- TheCareGuide.com (www.TheCareGuide.com), a premiere source that offers free information to older adults on elder care and housing solutions, supports the Alzheimer Society of Canada's move during Alzheimer Awareness Month to challenge perceptions of and the stigma about those living with the degenerative disease.
The need for such a move was highlighted in a recent Nanos survey that polled 1,000 Canadians ages 18 years or older and found that 47% of respondents "absolutely disagreed" with the statement that someone with dementia could live well. (Source: “Is it possible to live well with dementia? Half of Canadians say no Alzheimer Society’s #StillHere campaign challenges perceptions,” Alzheimer Society of Canada press release, January 5, 2016; http://www.alzheimer.ca/~/media/Files/national/Media-releases/asc_release_01052016_AW2016_e.pdf.)
"The survey findings expose a prevalent misunderstanding about how Alzheimer's and dementia affect people and their capabilities," notes Fred Schleich, president of TheCareGuide.com. "A diagnosis doesn't suddenly strip someone of his or her autonomy or otherwise mean that he or she can't function or interact with people. Yes, dementia can eventually do these things, but there is a very big difference between diagnoses of a condition and that condition advancing to the most severe point."
Dementia is not a specific disease or conditions in and of itself; instead, it refers to a collection of degenerative disorders that result in declines in memory, reasoning, communication, personality, behaviour, and daily activity. A person's brain can show physical signs of dementia for up to 25 years before they start to show symptoms of the progressive condition.
"The key word here is 'progressive'," insists Schleich. "It advances slowly and the rate changes from person to person. It can take eight, ten, or even more years before dementia reaches its final stages. That is a lot of time during which people can continue to thrive, and it’s a disservice to lump them into a singular category."
According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, 747,000 Canadians are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. That number is expected to increase to 1.4 million in the next 15 years. In addition, women account for 72% of Canadians living with Alzheimer’s disease.
TheCareGuide.com has served as an information resource for elderly adults and their family members since 1996. Their directory and guidance articles cover the full spectrum of care options including home care, community support, retirement homes, independent supportive living, assisted living, memory care, long term care, and hospice. It remains a valued authority on how seniors can find the retirement care option best suited for their unique needs. More information on TheCareGuide.com and the Care Guide publication can be found at www.TheCareGuide.com.
Contact Info:
Name: Fred Schleich
Email: Send Email
Organization: The Care Guide
Address: 9 Cedarview Drive Toronto, Ontario M1C 2K5, Canada
Phone: 416.287.CARE (2273)
Website: http://www.thecareguide.com/
Release ID: 103022
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