The annual Investors Group Walk for Memories, a fundraiser for the Alzheimer Society, is set for January 26 at the Nelson and District Community Complex. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk starts at 10.
This year’s campaign is highlighting caregivers in Nelson for the special care they provide loved ones suffering from the disease.
Nelson fire chief Simon Grypma is this year’s walk committee chair and he said the focus on caregivers is much deserved.
“My personal experience with my father and the unselfish care he received has left a lasting impression on my entire family. The caregivers are truly a gift to those suffering from this horrible disease that affects so many family members in our community. Caregivers truly deserve our recognition and support,” he stated.
Caregivers have been called courageous individuals who improve quality of life for a person living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
They may be spouses, children, family members, friends or paid professionals.
Many caregivers provide ongoing and around-the-clock care to aging family members on top of holding a job and raising children, sometimes to the detriment of their own health and well-being.
Each person who cares for someone with dementia will experience the challenges associated with the disease in their own unique way.
Organizers of the walk believe it is important to recognize that there are many different approaches to supporting someone with dementia and caregivers often need to explore a variety of techniques and strategies to determine what works best for them.
Caregiving can become a 24-hour-a-day job and people need to recognize that they cannot travel alone in their journey with dementia.
Caregivers and family member can benefit greatly from the help of people around them.
The Alzheimer Society of BC is there to provide people with support and information as they learn to cope with dementia, both now and in the future.
All money raised for the walk stays locally and benefits the West Kootenay through support and education to families.
The West Kootenay Resource Centre offers caregiver support groups in four towns, education sessions in seven communities, pamphlets, and printed info for everyone as well as online and telephone support and online recorded and live video education.
Nelson walkers can help caregivers and the more than 70,000 individuals and families in BC who are living with dementia.