By ALEXANDER SOMERVILLE Staff Writer

Memory loss, difficulty performing common tasks, problems with speaking, poor judgment and changes in personality are just a few symptoms people may experience if they have dementia, a common form of Alzheimer’s disease. 

January is Alzheimer Awareness Month, and the Alzheimer’s Society released Rising Tied: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society to show new reports on how cases of dementia are increasing. According to the reports, if demographic trends continue at the same rate as they are now, we will have more than double the cases of dementia in 30 years with the cost going up by as much as 10 times. The report goes on to state that by 2038, someone in Canada will develop dementia every two minutes, instead of once every five minutes, as it is now. The numbers rise from there as the number of people living with dementia in Ontario could reach 395,540 by that time. If that wasn’t enough to make people more aware of Alzheimer’s, the report says health-care costs would go from $15 billion, to $153 billion a year. Teena Kindt, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region, is quoted in Rising Tide as saying there needs to be more services available. “We’ve already seen an almost 20 per cent increase in the number of referrals over the past year. When we are able to give families support, education and the right tools, they are better equipped to manage and have fulfilled lives beyond the diagnosis.” David Harvey, Ontario spokesperson for the Rising Tide project, commented on the future of dementia and the improvements needed on research and diagnostic methods. “Investing more in research to improve early diagnosis, prevention and treatments and investing more in the training of frontline workers is a first good step towards stemming the tide and offering families real hope.” There are several upcoming events to give people more of an understanding on Alzheimer’s and ways to help the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region raise money for their cause. Reducing Stress for a Healthy Brain was one public forum event in Pelham on Jan. 27. On Jan. 23, the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region in St. Catharines hosted Treasured Memories for children who have a relationship with someone with dementia. As well, Christopher Wynn showed his documentary about his personal story with Alzheimer’s disease, titled Forgetful Not Forgotten, at the Auditorium of Linhaven Home for the Aged in St. Catharines. The last event, Alzheimer’s Walk for Memories, will take place on Jan. 31 at the Pen Centre in St. Catharines. Registration will start at 9 a.m. and the walk will begin at 10 a.m. For a calendar of these events and other information, please visit http://www.hnhblhin.on.ca/showcalender.aspx or check out the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region’s official page at www.alzheimerniagara.ca. Stay tuned for more upcoming stories about Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in the upcoming issues.