January is Alzheimer’s Awareness month. There are a number of activities across the region to mark the month from flag raising ceremonies to information booths at grocery stores. Alzheimer Society Cochrane-Temiskaming Executive Director Tracy Koskamp-Bergeron says the organization provides people with tools to understand more about their own personal health and warning signs.
“You misplaced your keys but you know they are your keys and they were missing,” she said. That’s different than thinking your shoe is a phone and having that miss-step in your brain so to speak or your brain doesn’t know what this item is anymore.”
Koskamp-Bergeron says the organization also gives caregivers strategies to keep loved ones at home for as long as possible.
“But also to keep them well, because if the caregiver isn’t well they are not able to look after their loved one at all,” she said. “So does that mean relieving their stress helping them reach out to family and friends to help.”
Koskamp-Bergeron says a New Years’ resolution might be to help a caregiver or a friend with meals or snow removal.
Here is a complete list of activities in our region:
Hearst:
Wed., Jan. 11 — Flag raising ceremony
Thurs., Jan. 19 — Information booth – Brian’s Independent Grocer.
Tues., Jan. 31 — Dementia 101 in French — 3:30 pm.
Kapuskasing:
Mon., Jan. 9 — Flag raising ceremony
Wed., Jan. 25 — Information booth — Independent Grocer
Cochrane:
Friday, Jan. 6 — Flag raising ceremony
Timmins:
Mon., Jan. 9 — Flag raising ceremony
Wednesday, Jan. 11 – Timmins Public Library — 10-3
Sat., Jan. 14 — Steve Skate — 2 -4 pm at Hollinger Park.
