Dementia & Alzheimer's
Behaviours that merit attention or might signal a need for change
Even though seniors are usually the experts on themselves and know when they need assistance, family caregivers are frequently the ones who observe the need for additional care. Some of the following observations may give you a ‘heads-up’ that further investigation is needed and that some action needs to be organized.
- The home has fallen into disarray
- Person lacks interest in eating or has spoiled food in the refrigerator
- Shows memory loss or confusion
- Hygiene is poor; same clothes are worn for long periods of time
- Fails to pay bills
- Appears uninterested in life or loses contact with friends
- Communicates a fear of falling or has recently fallen or nearly fallen
- Feels overwhelmed by a new diagnosis or denies health issues
- Is confused about medications
- Has increasing dependencies on tobacco, alcohol or drugs
Alzheimer Society
www.alzheimer.ca/greybruce
info@alzheimergreybruce.com
519-376-7230 or 1-800-265-9013
The Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to helping people affected by Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. In addition to providing programs to the community we also support research through the Alzheimer Society of Canada as well as the Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases.
Caregiver Support
Please refer to the Resources for Caregivers section.
Home and Community Support Services, Grey-Bruce
www.hcss-gb.ca
519-372-2091 or 1-800-267-3798
St. Francis Place, Suite 104, 340 10 th St.East, Owen Sound
Provides support services to assist eligible seniors and physically challenged adults to maintain independence. It operates throughout Grey/Bruce, including Thornbury-Clarksburg and the city of Owen Sound. Professional staff and volunteers provide services such as transportation, housekeeping, Meals-on-Wheels and day-away programs to give respite to Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers. It’s a non-profit organization with modest fees for some services and others have no fees.
Miscellaneous Information
thehealthline.ca is web site that has a vast amount of information about health and community services in south-western Ontario, including Grey Bruce. The information is accurate and regularly updated. It is also well organized by type of service and by region so it is easy to find services close to home.
Viewing/Reading About Dementia (including Alzheimer's Disease)
Reviewed by Answers4Seniors
Films
- Iris 2001. Judi Dench, Jim Broadbent, Kate Winslet. True story of the lifelong romance between novelist Iris Murdoch and her husband John Bayley, from their student days through her battle with Alzheimer's Disease.
- Away From Her 2006. Sarah Polley Film – Gordon Pinsent, Julie Christie. A husband coping with the institutionalization of his wife because of Alzheimer’s. It ‘s based on Alice Munro's short story "The Bear Came over the Mountain”.
- Iron Lady 2011. Meryl Streep. Biographical film of the life of the former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher; includes “a dramatic depiction of her descent into dementia”.
Fiction
- Still Alice by Lisa Genova. A story about a university professor, wife, and mother of three, who finds herself in the downward spiral of Alzheimer’s disease at 50 years of age.
- The Bear Came over the Mountain by Alice Munro. A short story, originally printed in the New Yorker magazine in 1999; entire story available on New Yorker website, included in her 2001 collection Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage; basis for Away From Her (see Films)
Non Fiction:
- The Long Way Home by Marian Ritchie. Focuses on the author’s ‘turbulent journey through Alzheimer’s as she cared for her husband … human aspects of the disease rather than the medical.
Not Reviewed by Answers4Seniors
Films:
- The Notebook
- Savages
- Aurora Borealis
- Age Old Friends
- Firefly Dreams
- Cocoon
- Song For Martin -Swedish
Non-Fiction:
- And Still The Music Plays: Stories Of People With Dementia by Graham Stokes
- Keeping Mum: Caring For Someone With Dementia by Marianne Talbot