A predicted increase in the number of people suffering with dementia will occur in the next several decades according to experts studying the disorder. The Alzheimer Society of Canada is desirous of helping businesses and the general public know more about it. 

Jennifer Harder is the Regional Coordinator for the society and is here in Portage to help.

"Part of my job here is to help educate the public, not just the care partners, but also to help educate businesses," says Harder. "That's a program called Dementia Friendly Community. For example, having the lighting adjusted at a place of business so that it's easier for them to see, having the music turned down a little bit, training your staff to know how to help people, what to say to them, and things like that. Unfortunately, there's a lot of stigma around dementia. People don't know what to say. They don't know what they're going to experience."

She notes this has, unfortunately, led to some isolation for the caregivers, adding they don't see their friends as a result.

"Friends don't know what to do and, sometimes, people stop visiting their loved ones even in care homes, which is also really unfortunate," continues Harder. "I don't mean that in a judgmental way. It's difficult. But that's what we're here for; to just educate the public and help reduce some of that stigma, so that people do feel more comfortable with things like that."

Harder says, for example, you might be at a grocery store and you notice somebody who's looking very, very lost. They might be overwhelmed, and you can learn how to help.

"You can understand and feel comfortable going up and seeing what kind of help you can give them," says Harder. "Maybe they've ended up walking away from their homes and they don't know where they are. This has happened, and so it's important just for us as a community to be able to support people and to recognize it. Just to offer that kind of help that, I think, is really beneficial for a community to know that people are there for them."

One statement that Harder says she hears a lot is from spouses who have concerns for long-time friends, in particular, who don't visit anymore, or not quite as often.

"It's an intimidating thing to face because this is a person and a friend that they've known for a very, very long time," adds Harder. "There's a stigma with dementia. They might have some incorrect perceptions as to what that means, and so they're afraid to go there. Maybe they want to just hang on to the memory of who that person was. I've heard that people say, 'I want to remember this person for who they were.'"

Harder explains the hard truth of the matter is it's not about who these people were, seeing as they're still here.

"Things have changed," notes Harder. "You have to make some adaptations, but they're still here. People with dementia can still live quite a long time and have good quality of life with the support of their community and their family. People can still maintain meaningful friendships or relationships with these people that are living with dementia. And you know, sometimes that just takes a little education. We can help them as well as businesses."

She says she's available for presentations.

"We have the program entitled Dementia Friendly Communities and it usually refers to businesses, but also anyone in the public," notes Harder. "Places can be a little more dementia-friendly, easier to understand, and easier to navigate for these people. We have our First Link program. I can do presentations for that or even just general dementia education, which can cover a variety of things. What is dementia? What are the types of dementia."

Harder says people want to know what to expect along the way while working with those who have the disorder. She explains this helps people get prepared in different problem areas including behaviours.

"I can talk a lot about that," adds Harder. "Even things like recreational activities. There's a lot of recreation that is really important. Socialization is extremely important, both in preventing dementia and even just slowing the progression of the disease, too. Socialization is probably one of the most important things you can do."

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