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MEDIA CENTRE

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | November 10, 2008

RICHMOND HILL, Ontario — Responding to Canadians' alarming concerns about memory loss, the Alzheimer's Foundation for Caregiving in Canada (AFCC) will offer free memory screenings at local sites throughout Canada as part of its inaugural National Memory Screening Day on November 18th.

AFCC is introducing the initiative to promote the early detection of memory problems and appropriate intervention, and to educate the public about memory concerns, successful aging and resources. National Memory Screening Day will be held annually.

“This event will catapult memory issues into the public eye,” said Taras Rohatyn, AFCC's President. “Canadians need to feel comfortable talking about memory concerns — and, most importantly, acting on them. The earlier we attend to memory problems, the better, in terms of quality of life. This is becoming more and more critical as our population ages.”

National Memory Screening Day directly addresses Canadians' concerns about memory loss. According to results of a survey on Age Associated Memory Impairment that was conducted for AFCC last June, 59 percent of aging Canadian boomers self-reported short-term memory loss over the past year, with 68 percent of them noting that they are very or somewhat concerned about this complaint. More than two-thirds of respondents said they would be interested in participating in a memory screening clinic with a nurse, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.

The AFCC encourages adults with memory concerns, a family history of Alzheimer's disease or a desire to establish a baseline score for future comparison to get screened on National Memory Screening Day. Local sites throughout Canada include more than 50 Wal-Mart and 10 London Drug pharmacies, as well as retirement and nursing homes and health care professional offices.

Qualified healthcare professionals will administer the confidential face-to-face screening, which takes about five minutes and consists of a series of questions and tasks. The results do not represent a diagnosis, and screeners encourage participants with abnormal scores as well as those who still have concerns to pursue a full medical checkup.

“These screenings are an important first step. The next steps include consultation with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional, and further medical testing,” Rohatyn said.

A diagnostic follow up may reveal that the person's memory problems stem from a reversible condition such as a vitamin deficiency or thyroid problem or from an irreversible disorder like Alzheimer's disease. Early identification of memory loss, Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia allows affected individuals and their family members to benefit from available treatments that can help slow the progression of symptoms, as well as to plan for the future and access social services support.

AFCC's National Memory Screening Day patterns a similar event that its sister organization, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA), has successfully held in the United States since 2003. A survey of screening participants last year found that more than two-thirds of respondents had self-reported memory complaints, but only one in five had discussed them with their physicians despite recent visits.

Warning signs of memory loss include forgetting people's names and events, asking repetitive questions, loss of verbal or written skills and confusion over daily routines.

It is estimated that more than 300,000 Canadians have Alzheimer 's disease, which causes loss of memory and other intellectual functions, and the incidence is expected to triple by mid-century. Age is the greatest risk factor. The annual net economic cost of dementia is predicted to escalate to over $12 billion by 2031. Alzheimer's disease is ranked 5th for women and 8th for men as the leading cause of death in Canadians 65 years of age or older.

For information about AFCC's National Memory Screening Day, including screening sites, visit www.alzfdn.ca or call 1-877-321-2594.

OVOS Natural Health Inc., (www.ovos.com) a nutraceutical company is the Event's Platinum sponsor, having provided AFCC with significant supporting resources. Lundbeck Canada is the AFCC's Remembrance sponsor.

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 organization who service families affected by Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses.

For information, call (toll-free) 1-877-321-2594 or visit www.alzfdn.ca .

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Robert Appleton
1-877-321-2594
afcc-pr@alzfdn.ca