Investing in Dementia Friendliness

Join us at Yorkton Public Library - Wednesday, November 16^th at 6:30 pm – for a public forum about Dementia in our Communities.

Learn more about Alzheimer Society programs and services and how you can help create a more dementia friendly community for your family, friends, and neighbours. For more details, click here.

Learning the Warning Signs of Dementia 

Over the past two months, Our Dementia Community Coordinator travelled to Kamsack and Melville to share our ABC’s of Dementia presentation, which highlights the 10 warning signs of dementia and the importance of a timely diagnosis.

Some of the presentation attendees were surprised to learn that genetics is not the only risk factor for developing dementia and that there are specific lifestyle choices you can make to lower your risk of dementia. One person requested our Alzheimer Society Getting a Diagnosis Toolkit to help them prepare for a doctor’s appointment.

During the Melville ABC’s of Dementia presentation, we were able to introduce Carolee Zorn, our new Alzheimer Society First Link® Coordinator for Yorkton, Melville, and the surrounding rural communities. Both events had over 20 people attend. It was great to see so many community members take initiative to increase their understanding of dementia.

Our Dementia Community Coordinator would like to extend a big thank you to the Quilting Group in Melville for helping her set up for the ABC’s presentation. Some members from the group attended our ABC’s of Dementia presentation in Melville this summer, so it was nice to see them again.

Heritage Baptist Church 

Our Dementia Community Coordinator has been in discussion with Heritage Baptist Church in Yorkton about hosting a Dementia Friendly Communities presentation since 2020. The day finally came when we could meet in-person with the church’s 55+ Group to help them learn more about dementia friendly spaces and communities for people living with dementia and their care partners, and the Dementia Supports in Rural Saskatchewan project.

We would like to recognize Edna Parrot for her ongoing efforts in coordinating this learning opportunity. Edna is an active dementia advocate in the community – she is currently on committees for two exciting dementia initiatives that will be coming soon to Yorkton and area.

Springside Community Resource Centre 

Throughout the pandemic, we have also been trying to organize an in-person learning opportunity with Springside Community Resource Centre. We are pleased to announce our Dementia Community Coordinator will have a booth at their Holiday Market on November 12^th. The Holiday Market will be an excellent way to meet residents from Springside and informally share information about dementia.