January is Alzheimer鈥檚 Awareness Month, an important time to talk about how Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and other dementias affect Canadians, including the 70,000 British Columbians living with dementia. Throughout January, people across the country will be standing up and saying 鈥淚 live with dementia. Let me help you understand.鈥� .
With 70,000 British Columbians living with dementia, it is important to understand what the terms 鈥淎lzheimer鈥檚 disease鈥� and 鈥渄ementia鈥� actually mean.
Dementia is not one specific disease, but an overall term for a set of symptoms caused by disorders affecting the brain. Symptoms may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language, severe enough to reduce a person鈥檚 ability to perform everyday activities. Dementia may cause changes in mood or behaviour. Dementia is progressive, which means symptoms will gradually get worse as more brain cells become damaged and eventually die.
The term 鈥淎lzheimer鈥檚 disease鈥� is sometimes used interchangeably with dementia. While it is the most well-known form of dementia, Alzheimer鈥檚 disease is only one type of dementia. There are many , including frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and more.
In addition, some treatable conditions 鈥� like vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disease, sleep disorders or depression 鈥� can cause symptoms similar to dementia.
Learn more in this short video:
from on .
The material was created by Dr. Sabina Brennan of Trinity College Dublin and Trinity Brain Health with financial support from GENIO. 漏 2018 Trinity Brain Health. Permission to use this material was granted by Trinity Brain Health (trinitybrainhealth.com) which reserves all rights in the material.
What you need to know
There are many , including that Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and dementia are normal parts of aging 鈥� they are not.
If you or someone you know is experiencing memory problems or other symptoms of dementia, it is important to speak to your health-care provider to arrange for a full medical assessment as early as possible.
The Alzheimer Society of B.C. can help
If you have questions about memory loss or dementia, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. can help. Available throughout the progression of the disease, from diagnosis (or before) to end-of-life care, the Society鈥檚 connects people living with dementia and their care partners to support services, education and information.
Connect to First Link by asking your health-care provider for a referral or by calling the , available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: 1-800-936-6033 (English), 1-833-674-5007 (Cantonese & Mandarin), or 1-833-674-5003 (Punjabi).
