A short look at the two main events the society has planned for Awareness month this coming January

1. Media Release
For any further inquiries, please contact:
Vicki Poffley Caitlin Norwich-Stevenson
Executive Director Public Education Coordinator
Alzheimer Society of KFL&A or Alzheimer Society of KFL&A
Office: 613-544-3078 ext. 201 Office: 613-544-3078 ext. 203
vpoffley@alzking.com cnorwich-stevenson@alzking.com
Local Events focus on the awareness of Alzheimer’s disease
In January 2013, the Alzheimer Society of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington
(KFL&A) will be hosting 2 special events in honor of Alzheimer Awareness Month:
Thursday January 17th, 2013 @ 7:00pm: Public Awareness Night featuring
keynote speaker Dr. Susan Ilkov-Moor, MD, FRCPC, Psychiatrist, who will be
discussing the value and need for purpose and direction for those living with
dementia. She will be joined by a panel of community professionals who will
provide practical advice on how to lead a purposeful life. There is no cost to
attend, but space is limited. Please RSVP by contacting Amy Van Steenburgh at
613-544-3078 ext. 202 or avansteenburgh@alzking.com
Sunday January 27, 2013 from 9:00am to 11:00am: The Walk for Memories.
This annual event provides residents of KFL&A the opportunity to not only come
together to honor and remember people in their lives who have been touched by
Alzheimer’s disease, but also to raise money for the programs and services the
society provides to those diagnosed and their families. The goal of 2013
campaign is to raise $35,000 in the KFL&A area. The “Walk for Memories” will
take place in center court level of the Cataraqui Centre at 9:30am, with
registration beginning at 9:00am. Contact the Sharon McGrath at 613-544-3078
ext. 206 or smcgrath@alzking.com to register.
1/2

2. About the Alzheimer Society
The Alzheimer Society is a nation wide; not–for–profit health organization dedicated to
helping people with Alzheimer’s disease. Consisting of a national office, 10 provincial
societies and more than 140 local groups across Canada, the Society is the leading source
of information and support for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. The
Society offers many programs to support those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and
their families. The Alzheimer Society is also a leader in research funding, improving
care-giving methods and most importantly, finding the cause and cure for Alzheimer.
The Alzheimer Society of KFL&A has been serving those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s
disease or a related dementia, and their care partners, since 1982. In 2012 there were an
estimated 3,317 people who have been diagnosed in the KFL&A region alone1. If you
are over the age of 65, your chances of developing this disease is 1 in 11 – by the time you
reach 85, the chances are 1 in 3. The risk for dementia doubles every five years after age
65.2
The time to act is now.
1
Dementia Projections for the Counties, Regional Municipalities, and Census Divisions on Ontario, June
2010, Robert W. Hopkins, Ph.D., Providence Care Mental Health Services, Kingston, Ontario.
2
Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society, 2010, Alzheimer Society of Canada
2/2