An estimated 70,000 British Columbians are living with dementia and this number is expected to grow.
"As the population of our province ages, we will all be affected by dementia - as friends and family members, neighbours and people in the labour force," says Melissa Badger, an Alzheimer Society of B.C. support and education coordinator for Delta.
That's why the Alzheimer Society of B.C. encourages South Delta residents to become a Dementia Friend.
A Dementia Friend is someone who takes the time to learn a little about dementia so they can be supportive and inclusive towards people living with dementia.
To make it easy for South Deltans to become Dementia Friends, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. will offer a Dementia Friends workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
"This is an opportunity to enhance your knowledge of how to best support people living with dementia in your community," Badger says. "We can all play a role in making our community a great place to live for people with dementia."
The workshop runs from 10 a.m. to noon at KinVillage Community Centre, 5410 - 10th Ave. To pre-register, contact the Alzheimer Resource Centre at 604-449-5000 or [email protected].
Caregivers or people living with dementia can get information or assistance by calling the society's First Link Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033.
