Many Sicamous residents are this month making one of their most important new year’s resolutions ever.
They’re becoming dementia friends, committing to learning a little bit about dementia so they can be supportive and inclusive toward people with the illness, which has become one of the country’s most pressing health issues.
“People affected by dementia continue to live in and be a part of our communities, and we can support them to stay connected in ways that are meaningful for them,” says Carly Gronlund, regional education and support co-ordinator for the non-profit Alzheimer Society of B.C. for Sicamous and the North & Central Okanagan.
Becoming a dementia friend is easy, says Gronlund. The process starts by signing up at DementiaFriends.ca.
The Society has supported people living with dementia for 35 years. One of its initiatives, First Link®, connects people affected by dementia with information, support services and programs and dementia education sessions at any stage of the journey.
To learn more, call Gronlund at 250-860-0305, 1-800-634-3399, or email cgronlund@alzheimerbc.org.