Monday, January 6, 2014
Dealing with Dementia - January is Alzheimer's Month. Local Author Helps Families, Caregivers and Patients Find Creative Solutions
December 8th, 2013 - The body of 76 year old dementia patient Joan Warren is discovered near the Lynn Canyon suspension bridge after she wandered away from her seniors' residence. This tragic incident is only one of many recent cases highlighting the national crisis of dementia.
January 3, 2014—Cases like those of Ms. Warren underscore the importance of improving our understanding of dementia-related behaviours. With a rapidly aging population in BC, caring for and coping with dementia has become part of the daily reality for many. Day to day challenges continue for many families and caregivers, and there is an increasing need for effective strategies and tools to reduce caregiver-stress and better protect dementia patients. According to dementia consultant and educator Karen Tyrell, "understanding wandering and other behaviours, and being able to come up with creative, personalized solutions is going to be vital."
During Alzheimer's Awareness month, a series of Vancouver events featuring dementia consultant Karen Tyrell will be taking place. These January and February events are aimed at raising awareness about solutions to cope with dementia:
• Jan 19, 10am-3pm: Shred-a-thon Fundraiser for the Alzheimer Society of BC. Dementia Consultant and Educator, Karen Tyrell, will be signing copies of her book, Cracking the Dementia Code, and offering some quick dementia support if time permits. (Location: Shoppers Drug Mart, Burquitlam Plaza.)
• Jan 23, 7-8pm: Dementia Education Session hosted by Concepts Group Financial, Karen Tyrell will be the guest speaker on the topic Wandering and Dementia: Making sense of it. Seating limited, free event, to register please call 604-939-2345.
Location: Concepts Group Financial, 222 St. John St., Port Moody.)
• Jan 26, 1-3:30pm: The Tri-Cities Investors Group Walk for Memories in support of the Alzheimer Society of BC. (Various Locations. Visit www.AlzheimerBC.org to learn more.)
• Jan 30, 10-11am: Karen Tyrell will be presenting Cracking the Dementia Code- For Families. Seating limited, free event, to register please call 604-927-6940.
Location: Glen Pine Pavilion, Coquitlam.)
• Jan 30, 6:30-7:30pm: Dementia Education Event hosted by Five Star Senior Services, Karen Tyrell will be the guest speaker on the topic Dementia Behaviours & Creative Solutions for Families. Seating limited, free event, to register please call 604-616-8401 after 2pm or email
ernest@fivestarseniorservices.com.
Location: Vancity Branch, 5064 Kingsway, Burnaby.)
• Feb 8, 10-11:30am: Open Dialogue Panel Discussion, Tough Talks-Are you and your aging parents avoiding some difficult discussions? Seating limited, free event, to register please call 604-904-1199.
Location: Churchill House, North Vancouver.)
For further details on all above events please visit:www.dementiasolutions.ca/alzheimer-awareness-month-events/
For media interested in covering the events or for interviews with Karen Tyrell, please contact: Influence Publishing,
communications@influencepublishing.com, tel. 604-980-5700.
To order or learn more about the Cracking the Dementia Code book and workshops, please visit: www.DementiaSolutions.ca