4 Friday, January 24, 2020 brooklintowncrier.com January is Alzheimer's Awareness month. We all have a role to play in making our communities safe and inclusive for people living with dementia. By taking a moment to learn more about the disease, we can all better understand and be able to support those living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. People with lived experience can educate us; we just need to listen. Individuals living with dementia can, and are, making great contributions to our communities. It is possible to live well with dementia with the right support and an educated community. Even as the disease progresses, people can still lead active lives as they continue their hobbies and enjoy family and friendships. Everyone's experience with dementia is unique. If you've met one person living with dementia, you've only met one of the many faces of the disease. However, dementia's impact reaches far beyond those diagnosed with the disease; care partners, families and friends live with dementia as well, and they all need our compassion, understanding and support. There are currently 564,000 Canadians living with dementia, a number expected to double within 10 years. For the over 10,000 residents living in Durham Region who have been diagnosed with dementia, it's essential that we reduce the stigma and make our communities safe and inclusive for people living with dementia. Local families have come to rely upon the many programs of the Alzheimer Society including individual, group, family and care partner support, public education, as well as social and recreational programs. With the prevalence of the disease steadily increasing, the Alzheimer Society is planning now to ensure it can continue to meet the rising demand on its services. If you would like further information on how the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region can help you and your family, please contact our office today at 905-576-2567, or visit our website at www.alzheimer.ca/durham. If you would like to learn more from those living with dementia and find out how you can help in the fight against stigma, visit the dedicated campaign website at ilivewithdementia.ca. Municipalities Proclaim Alzheimer's Awareness Month By Denyse Newton, CEO Alzheimer Society of Durham Region