Dear editor,

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. thanks the people of the Comox Valley for their encouraging response to January鈥檚 annual Alzheimer鈥檚 Awareness Month and to our campaign intended to challenge stigma surrounding the disease: 鈥淵es. I live with dementia. Let me help you understand.鈥�

When we talk about raising awareness about Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and other dementias, we need to talk about challenging stigma. Negative attitudes about the disease mean that when someone begins to suspect that they 鈥� or someone close to them 鈥� might have dementia, they are less likely to seek out a diagnosis. They鈥檙e less likely disclose their situation to others. Worrying that someone will judge them or think of them as being less of a person means people are less likely to ask for help.

When we talk openly about the disease and challenge preconceived notions, people living with dementia begin to feel like they aren鈥檛 alone and can ask for help. They can better prepare themselves for the challenges ahead. Communities play a key role in helping people living with dementia, their families and caregivers feel like they belong, just by being aware of the disease and actively engaged with learning more about it.

With over half a million Canadians currently living with dementia 鈥� a number that will only grow as the population ages 鈥� it has never been so important to be open to having a conversation about dementia. It鈥檚 never been so important to change the conversation.

Though Awareness Month is now over, you can still visit. Find tips on how to be more dementia friendly, as well as resources to take action against stigma and be better informed about a disease that has the potential to affect every single one of us. You can also use the hashtag #ilivewithdementia to help spread the word.

We would like to thank our local staff and volunteers for their work. We also appreciate the local media鈥檚 coverage of dementia issues. The stories help foster a better understanding of the impact this disease has on local families and help the Alzheimer Society of B.C. work towards our goal of a dementia-friendly province.

If your family lives with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and other dementias, please contact our regional Alzheimer Resource Centre at 250-734-4170 (toll-free 1-800-462-2833) for information on support groups and the many other services we offer to assist you. You can also call the First Link Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033 and visit www.alzheimerbc.org.

Jane Hope,

Alzheimer Society of B.C.

Do you have an opinion you鈥檇 like to share? Email letters@comoxvalleyrecord.com