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News Release

January 2, 2006

JANUARY IS ALZHEIMER AWARENESS MONTH
Alzheimer Society To Mark The Discovery Of Alzheimer’s Disease 100 Years Ago

TORONTO – The Ontario government’s strategy to build greater public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is working and is helping to improve the quality of life for Ontario seniors, Minister Responsible for Seniors Jim Bradley said today.

“Alzheimer’s disease can have a devastating effect on individuals and their families,” Bradley said. “But we are committed to helping people with the disease to live safely, with dignity and as independently as possible, with the supports that they, and their families and caregivers, need.”

Ontario ’s Alzheimer strategy has resulted in the expansion of more than 80 respite programs, the hiring of 50 psycho-geriatric resource consultants across the province, and Public Education Coordinators at each of the 39 local Alzheimer Society chapters.

“The health and safety of our seniors is a shared responsibility, and this government is proud to be working with groups such as the Alzheimer Society of Ontario to help seniors remain active and productive,” Bradley said.

Progress and Hope is the theme of a two-year public education and awareness campaign run by the Alzheimer Society of Canada that began in January 2005 and will continue through December 2006. The Alzheimer Society is educating Canadians about the important milestones that have been reached since the d isease was first given a name after Dr. Alois Alzheimer presented a case study on a person with dementia in 1906 .

Special events will be held in January to foster greater public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The Alzheimer Society of Ontario and its chapters will be marking the month by holding various events across the province, including fundraising activities such as the Walk for Memories.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disease which currently affects 1 in 20 Canadians over the age of 65. There is no known cause or cure for the disease. Dementia is a syndrome consisting of a number of symptoms that include loss of memory, judgment and reasoning, and changes in mood, behaviour and communication abilities. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, accounts for almost two-thirds of all dementias in Canada.

To learn more about the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, visit http://www.alzheimerontario.org.

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Contacts:
Donna Piasentini, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7242