Nearly 564,000 Canadians have dementia, and experts say we can expect this number to increase more than 66 per cent in the next 15 years.
That’s why a new campaign encourages Surrey residents to become a Dementia Friend, to create more awareness of the disease as it becomes increasingly more common, and dispel myths and reduce stigma about it.
“As the population of our province ages, we will all be affected by dementia – as friends and family members, neighbours and people in the labour force,” says Melissa Badger, an Alzheimer Society of B.C. Support and Education Coordinator for Surrey and the South Fraser region.
“Living with dementia dramatically changes an individual’s life, but they will be affected by more than just the symptoms of the disease. The understanding, care and support they receive from friends or family will help them.”
That’s where the Dementia Friend campaign comes in. To make it easy for Surrey residents to participate, the non-profit Society brings a Dementia Friends workshop to Guildford Recreation Centre on Thursday, Jan. 26.
“This is an opportunity to enhance your knowledge of how to best support people living with dementia in your community,” Badger says. “We can all play a role in making our community a great place to live for people with dementia.”
The workshop runs from 1-2:30 p.m. at the recreation centre, 15105 105 Ave. To pre-register, call 604-449-5000 or e-mail info.southfraser@alzheimerbc.org
Caregivers or person living with dementia can get information or assistance by calling the Society’s First Link Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033.
For more information on becoming a Dementia Friend, visit www.dementiafriends.ca, hashtag #Becomeafriend or go to Facebook and Instagram.
