NEWS RELEASE
THE ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF NIAGARA REGION
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There are 10,524 people living with progressive dementia in Niagara, with the most common being Alzheimer’s disease. Anyone may develop dementia and there is no cure.
COVID-19 is significantly impacting persons living with dementia and their care partners. People living with dementia already face deep stigmatization, and the isolation they live with every day has become so much worse. In Ontario, nine out of 10 residents in long term care have some form of cognitive impairment, two-thirds with dementia – and 64.6 per cent of all COVID-19 deaths in Ontario (as of Sept. 17)) are among long-term care residents.
That is why, perhaps more than ever, we need to talk about dementia. It’s imperative people keep talking about dementia, seeking out information, advice and support. Programs and services provided by The Alzheimer Society - such as counselling, care partner education and support groups - help delay admission to long-term care and improve quality of life for people living with dementia and their care partners.
Every year The Alzheimer Society must fundraise more than $500,000 to provide these essential services, which have been adapted and continued throughout COVID-19. Due to COVID-19, many fundraising events have been cancelled. With these setbacks, as well as the uncertainty and changing landscape brought on by the pandemic, fundraising has become much more difficult.
One of the ways The Alzheimer Society has responded is by shifting gears and adapting to create new, innovative ways to raise much-needed funds for our programs.
The Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region is rebranding the traditional Fall fundraiser, Coffee Break®, to Social with a Purpose. Social with a Purpose is a do-it-yourself fundraiser promoting the importance of socializing, staying in touch and building a strong positive relationship with friends, family and community. The launch of Social with a Purpose will take place on September 21, to coincide with World Alzheimer’s Day.
A Social with a Purpose fundraiser is hosted virtually and can be held anywhere and any way. Make your connections more meaningful by supporting people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia and their care partners, who experience social isolation every day.
More information on how to do this and downloadable activities can be found on The Society’s website. (http://www.alzheimerniagara.ca/social) This fundraising initiative is graciously sponsored by I’m Here Home Care, J&L Flooring and Giant Tiger Scott Street.
The Alzheimer Society is also launching a raffle where for just $5 or three for $10 you can have a chance to win a two-night Niagara Falls Romance Package, an iRobot Roomba vacuum, a foursome of golf at Peninsula Lakes Golf Club or a case of wine. The tickets will be available by calling 905-687-3914 or you can find more information online: They will be drawn on Dec. 1, 2020.
Also launching today and running for a month is an online Silent Auction with a Muskoka and Toronto sight-seeing flight, a Kate Spade handbag, autographed sports memorabilia and so much more! Bidding opened up this morning at www.32auctions.com/asnr.
To mark World Alzheimer’s Day on Sept. 21, 2020, Welland Canal Bridge 13 will be illuminated in blue to raise awareness and challenge the stigma associated with dementia. The community is urged to share their pictures wearing blue by uploading then on social media with the hashtag #GoBlueForAlz and learning more about this disease.
Together with the support of the community The Alzheimer Society will provide help for today and hope for tomorrow.
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