Granville Johnson, Prince George musician, and Myrna Norman, dementia advocate and artist, will share their insights on managing sensory changes while living with dementia during a webinar on March 29 at 2 p.m. presented by the Alzheimer Society of BC.
Research shows that 56 per cent of Canadians are concerned about being affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
As of 2020 there were 597,000 people in Canada living with dementia and in 2030 that number is expected to increase to 955,900.
When people think about dementia, most know about its impact on a person’s memory or ability to communicate.
But there’s other symptoms like altered movement and changes to hearing that must also be considered as part of the dementia process.
During the seminar people will hear how Johnson and Norman manage their sensory changes as they continue to live with dementia. The pair will talk about how they live a positive life while coping with changes.
“Taking the time to observe someone’s abilities can help us better understand the support they need,” Lori Kelly, provincial coordinator, program operations at the Alzheimer Society of BC, said “If you notice someone having difficulty maintaining their balance due to changes in gait, for example, one interim solution could be hiking poles, which might be more acceptable than a cane or walker.”
Regular check-ups and thinking creatively about using aids and equipment can ease some sensory challenges.
To register for the webinar visit alzbc.org/sensory-changes.
For more information about dementia visit https://alzheimer.ca/bc/en.
