Bancroft has recognized January as Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. And those who want to learn more about the disease, which impacts thinking and memory, have a new local place they can go.
The Alzheimer Society of Hastings-Prince Edward has opened a new office in town. It’s at 24 Flint Ave.
Spokesperson Amelia Huffman said there was a need to open a location in Bancroft, because the region has a high number of seniors.
And with the baby boom demographic aging, demand for Alzheimer and dementia support programs are expected to skyrocket in the coming years.
“Right now there are approximately 565,000 Canadians living with dementia,” she says.
“By the year 2050 we expect there to be 1.7 million Canadians. We’re looking at a serious increase. We’ve been terming it ‘the tidal wave of dementia.’
“We’re trying to get ahead of that and make sure there’s more awareness about prevention. There’s so much that we can do, that people don’t realize, that can help mitigate the risk of dementia.”
Huffman adds that no doctor’s referral is needed to visit the centre.
“Anyone experiencing memory loss or the challenges associated with that in their life can reach out for free information, support, support groups, resources, one-on-one discussions,” she says. The office “provides you with that help for today and hope for tomorrow.”
The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. If you’d like to meet with the education co-ordinator there, Kim Aide, it’s recommended you reach out ahead of time. You can contact her at [email protected] or call 613-332-4614.
