A group of around 50 walkers came to Kinsmen Park to support the awareness for Alzheimer's, dementia, and other kinds of brain degeneration diseases. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Election issues

Alzheimer’s Society reaches out to provincial election candidates

Oct 3, 2024 | 5:00 PM

New data suggests that over the next 30 years, the number of people in Saskatchewan living with dementia will increase to over 40,000.

That’s why the Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan is hoping to get the attention of the provincial candidates. CEO Kaleta Strain told paNOW there’s a need for improved timely diagnosis and connection to that post-diagnostic support.

“We’ve also heard that there needs to be improved support for people to stay at home, so these would be things such as home care, adult day programs and respite,” she explained. “And there’s also a need for increased education for care partners to help them to better cope with and manage responsive behaviours.”

The Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan receives funding from the provincial government and while noting how grateful she is for the support they have received, Strain said people with dementia and their care partners have voiced a need to be better supported.

“And so part of our efforts around the election are to raise the voices of people with dementia and so some of the needs there are certainly can be fulfilled by the Alzheimer’s Society, with increased support from the government and some of the areas we need to partner with the government to be able to find solutions together.”

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The annual Alzheimer’s awareness walk was held last May in Prince Albert. It was part of a nation-wide event put on by IG Wealth with 400 other walks happening in other communities across Canada.

First Link Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Society of Saskatchewan Laura Erickson-Lumb said that Alzheimer’s affects more than just one person.

“It doesn’t just affect one person, there’s a ripple effect,” she said. “The person with Alzheimer’s, they’re part of a family and a community, often at jobs and with friends – all of those people are affected as well.”

For those seeking more information about their own, or a loved one’s condition, call the Dementia Helpline at 1-877-949-4141.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell