What is World Alzheimer’s Month?

Each September, the Alzheimer Society supports World Alzheimer’s Month.

During this month, we at the Society encourage organizations and individuals like you, to learn more about dementia and its stark impact on Canadians.

In particular, we invite everyone to listen to the voices of Canadians unable to avoid the immediate realities of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias – from people living with dementia, to their families, to their care partners, to their healthcare providers, and more.

We also ask you to go one step further and share what you’ve learned with people you know, such as your friends, family members, and co-workers.

And while World Alzheimer’s Month may stop at the end of September, the experiences of people who live with dementia do not. As such, we ask you to take what you’ve learned during the month and continue to share it throughout the year.

By understanding what people living with dementia experience in their day-to-day-lives – their struggles, their successes and their hopes – together we can raise awareness of dementia throughout Canada and the rest of the World.

Awareness is the first step to fighting stigmareinforcing human rights, and pushing for policy change, as well as other actions that can lift up Canadians living with dementia.

Please support World Alzheimer’s Month. It’s an easy start to helping your fellow Canadians who are living with this serious disease.

Six Ways You Can Support World Alzheimer’s Month

1. Learn the 10 Warning Signs

Follow along with us throughout the month of September has we highlight the 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias on our Facebook and Instagram accounts.

2. Donate to your local Society

Our services are offered free of charge thanks to the generosity of our donors. Donate today to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by dementia.

3. Visit our special website

Check out ilivewithdementia.ca for useful information and resources to help you learn more and take action to end dementia stigma.

4. Learn more about dementia and stigma

Misconceptions are often at the root of stigma. Find out about communication, behaviour, safety, and more. Learn about the stigma against dementia.

5. Connect with your local Society

Find out what’s going on your local Alzheimer Society, including how your local Society helps in your community and how you can get involved. Find your local Society.

6. Share what you’ve learned

Talk to your friends and family about dementia and the stigma that is attached to a diagnosis.

7. Support our other campaigns

Besides World Alzheimer’s Month, the Alzheimer Society also supports people living with dementia assert their rights and fight stigma through the Canadian Charter of Rights for People with Dementia.

We also support the implementation of Canada’s first-ever national dementia strategy that can systemically reduce stigma against dementia in Canada.

We’re committed to taking a person-first approach to the Dementia-Friendly Canada project to ensure all Canadians living with dementia feel valued and empowered, that organizations be inclusive and accessible and that everyone uses their awareness of dementia to make changes, individually and as a society.

 

Originally appeared at: https://alzheimer.ca/ab/en/world-alzheimers-month

Source: https://alzheimer.ca/ab/en/world-alzheimers-month

More resources:

World Alzheimer’s Month 2022 

Reducing Risk & Increasing Support: Risk Future Directions in Dementia Care

For people living with dementia, support changes everything

‘You Never Give Up,’ Alzheimer’s Society Raising Awareness With Unique Campaign