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Category: Ontario Posts

Your research questions answered

Your research questions answered

During World Alzheimer’s Month, we invited people to tell us what they would ask an Alzheimer’s researcher if they bumped into one on the street. Now, we have answers from Dr. Melissa Andrew, MD, PhD, Dalhousie University, who chairs the quality of life panel for the Alzheimer Society Research Program. Stay tuned for more of your questions answered throughout the year. Are we any nearer to understanding the cause of this disease today than we were 20 years ago? A…

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This election, support a National Dementia Strategy

This election, support a National Dementia Strategy

On October 19, 2015 the Canadian federal election will be held. And we want to reaffirm that every vote matters. On May 6 of this year, our chance for a national dementia strategy becoming enshrined into Canadian law through MP Claude Gravelle’s private member’s bill C-356 was sadly defeated 140-139. Yes, by one vote. When we hear about people who think votes don’t matter it’s disheartening, because regardless of context, every vote matters. Right now, each one of us gets…

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Canadians do something AMAZING for Alzheimer’s during World Alzheimer’s Month

Canadians do something AMAZING for Alzheimer’s during World Alzheimer’s Month

My mother had Alzheimer’s disease and I saw firsthand its impact on my family. That’s why I believe research into the cause and cure is critical. With over 47 million people in the world living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, this is a problem that touches everyone. This year, the Alzheimer Society encouraged Canadians to do something AMAZING for Alzheimer’s research during September, the global World Alzheimer’s Month™ campaign to raise awareness and challenge stigma. I stepped up as…

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Les Dakens is our matching research donor in September

Les Dakens is our matching research donor in September

Les Dakens, Alzheimer Society board member, advocate and matching donor for the 2015 research campaign, knows how difficult Alzheimer’s can be on families. “I saw firsthand the impact Alzheimer’s disease had on my family and especially the life of my mother. I wanted to do something.” And so he did. Not only has Les stepped up to challenge Canadians to double the impact of their donations by matching his $25,000 donation for research this month, but he has also made…

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Dr. Larry Chambers comments on large European dementia study

Dr. Larry Chambers comments on large European dementia study

In August, an exciting new research study was published that drew on the results from five population studies from four European countries—the UK, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden, which had two population studies sampled. The results have significance for governments and dementia researchers across the globe, but also here in Canada. One of the most important findings was that all five studies examined showed remarkable similarities in dementia prevalence (total number of cases per population) by age, sex and years…

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What would you ask a researcher?

What would you ask a researcher?

These people have told us what they would say to a researcher. Here’s a sneak peak of what they asked to get you thinking: what would you say? Stay tuned for more in September. How is the work you are doing connecting to all the other work going on? Everyone shouldn’t be working in silos.                                                                                         Julie Foley, caregiver                                                                                    …

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Etching memories in stone

Etching memories in stone

As CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex County, I am constantly reminded of the impact of dementia on the person with the disease and the families who care for them and grieve when they pass away. I was so pleased in 2006 when our Society decided to create a granite Monument of Memories in beautiful Jackson Park for our 25th anniversary to remember all those in our community who have lived with dementia. We offered the opportunity to anyone…

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Erica’s story

Erica’s story

I was ten years old when I first noticed the problem. My whole family was attending my brother’s hockey game on a typical Thursday night. My Papa came to every game since I could remember. As we prepared to leave, there was only one person missing, my Papa Joe. With no sign of him in the arena, we went out into the parking lot to check if he was taking a minute and having a smoke. But to our surprise…

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Jay Ingram on “The End of Memory” (Contest)

Jay Ingram on “The End of Memory” (Contest)

Looking for a new book to pick up this summer? Science writer, broadcaster, and journalist Jay Ingram has spent his career educating the public on issues of science and technology, and in his latest book “The End of Memory: A Natural History of Aging and Alzheimer’s” he set out to explore the complicated history of the disease, its treatments, and the research into its causes. Want to learn more about it? Read an interview with Jay here and enter the…

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Nightmares or the Orange Pill

Nightmares or the Orange Pill

I’m tired this morning. The lingering affects of my nightmares stays with me. One of the characteristics of Frontotemporal dementia is sleep disturbances. In addition to this I have been diagnosed with REM sleep behavioural disorder. This “… is a disorder in which you physically act out vivid, often unpleasant dreams with vocal sounds and sudden, often violent arm and leg movements during REM sleep.” Normally you don’t move during REM sleep. About 20 % of your sleep is spent…

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