In addition to having fun and enjoying the weather, getting out and doing something also has a hidden benefit – it reduces your risk of having a stroke. And since June is Stroke Awareness Month, what better time to do it!
In January and February of this year, scientists from across Canada and the United States descended upon Toronto to participate in the annual peer review meetings of the Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP). Their task: to critique research proposals that had been submitted to the ASRP by Canadian students, young investigators and established researchers; and to decide which projects will be funded by evaluating them on the basis of scientific merit, novelty and relevance to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
You never truly experience life, and your true potential for living, until you experience life’s real adventures. These are the moments that, in some ways define you, and in others, stretch you beyond unimaginable limits. I wouldn’t for a moment, suggest that I have overcome unthinkable odds; just watch the recent news and see real people dealing with dire situations. But in the past six months, I have had to face a very real challenge of my generation and it has given me the opportunity to feel that “pain” and immerse myself in some truly important life lessons.
The term “palliative care” makes most people cringe. Dying and end-of-life come to mind: subjects that are not pleasant to openly talk about, or even consider. But this week – National Hospice Palliative Care Week (May 5 – 11), I’d like to raise awareness of the importance of palliative care and advance care planning, and how they can make the journey smoother for the person receiving the care, as well as their family.
April is an important month for both caregivers and volunteers as we celebrate both National Caregiver Day and Volunteer Week. We caught up with Carol Holmes-Kerr, who shared her experience as a caregiver, as well as a volunteer. Carol, a retired nurse and counsellor, tells us more about how her life changed after her husband, Jim, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2008.
I’ve been thinking lately that no one is immune to dementia. In the past few weeks we lost two major political figures to the condition. Former Alberta premier Ralph Klein had been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia only 2 years earlier. Britain’s Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, died of a stroke last week following a lengthy struggle with vascular dementia.
I was recently having lunch with my grandmother and I realized how much she’s changed. She holds her spoon differently, and she uses her fork to painstakingly cut the meat, instead of using the knife. I realized that these changes were brought on by her dementia, but I didn’t really know if there was anything I should do to help.
Dear brother, sister, son, daughter, friend,
I have Alzheimer’s disease.
I know you don’t know what to say, or what you should do.
I don’t have all the answers – but I hope this letter will help.