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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | August 19, 2010
NEARLY 5,000 CANADIANS RECEIVE MEMORY SCREENINGS
ON NATIONAL MEMORY SCREENING DAY
Majority of survey respondents had not spoken to healthcare professionals about concerns
RICHMOND HILL, Ontario, August 19, 2010 - The majority of people who took memory screenings on the Alzheimer’s Foundation for Caregiving in Canada’s (AFCC) 3 rd annual National Memory Screening Day are concerned about their memory, but few have spoken about this issue with their healthcare professionals, according to survey results released today.
AFCC estimates that nearly 5,000 individuals took advantage of the free, confidential memory screenings at nearly 550 sites throughout Canada on June 15. An additional 10,000 people picked up educational materials, including information about memory concerns, caregiving and successful aging. Participation has increased dramatically each year since AFCC began the initiative, which is aimed at promoting early detection of memory problems and raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions that can cause memory loss.
According to the results of the voluntary survey, which was completed by 504 individuals who were screened, 70 percent of males and 71 percent of females said they are concerned about their memory. However, 18.6 percent of respondents said they had not spoken to anyone about this. Among those who had voiced concerns, 33 percent indicated that they had spoken to their spouse and only 17 percent had talked to a healthcare professional. The results confirm findings about this issue from previous years.
In addition, nearly a third (31.2 percent) of respondents indicated that they were taking the non-invasive screening to establish a score for future comparison
On National Memory Screening Day, more than 16 percent of screening participants scored below normal and were referred to their primary healthcare provider or other healthcare professionals for follow-up. The screening results do not represent a diagnosis, and the qualified healthcare professionals who administered the tests encouraged participants who had below-normal scores or who still had concerns to consult with a primary care provider.
Some memory problems can be readily treated, such as those caused by vitamin deficiencies or thyroid problems. Other memory problems might result from causes that are not currently reversible, such as Alzheimer’s disease. In general, the earlier the diagnosis, the easier it is to treat one of these conditions.
“The phenomenal growth of our event in the last three years tells us that an aging Canadian public is concerned about brain health and are being proactive about it when the opportunity to discuss the subject is made available to them,” said Taras W. Rohatyn, AFCC’s president. “This re-confirms the value of memory screenings.”
To further promote successful aging, AFCC earlier this year unveiled a healthy living Web site that provides information about lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise and mental stimulation. The survey results emphasize the need for this type of education: among the participants, 24.9 self-reported hypertension; 16.3 percent, diabetes; 16.3 percent, depression; and obesity, 15 percent—all of which are risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
During National Memory Screening Day, qualified healthcare professionals administered the face-to-face screenings at pharmacies at Walmart, Ontario Metro, Sobey/Lawtons, Safeway, the Overwaitea Food Group and London Drug; healthcare professional offices; and retirement and long-term care facilities.
The event’s sponsors were Novartis Canada., as Emerald sponsor, and Janssen-Ortho Canada, as Remembrance sponsor.
Next year, AFCC will hold National Memory Screening Day on June 14.
Alzheimer’s disease affects an estimated 480,000 Canadians and the incidence is expected to more than double to 1.25 million by 2031. The brain disorder results in loss of memory and other cognitive functions, and, ultimately, death.
About the AFCC
The Alzheimer’s Foundation for Caregiving in Canada (AFCC) is a national not-for profit charity headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario and provides programs to meet the educational, emotional, practical and social needs of its caregiver member organizations who service families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses. For additional information, please visit www.alzfdn.ca.
PLEASE CONTACT:
Taras W. Rohatyn
President
1-877-321-2594
president@alzfdn.ca
