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MEDIA CENTRE
Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 18, 2009
RESEARCH SHOWS THAT TWO-THIRDS OF CANADIAN NMSD PARTICIPANTS REPORTED MEMORY COMPLAINTS
GETTING SCREENED ON NATIONAL MEMORY SCREENING DAY ON TUESDAY, JUNE 23RD IS THE FIRST STEP IN ADDRESSING BRAIN HEALTH
RICHMOND HILL, ON—
Results from voluntary surveys of participants who were screened at last year’s National Memory Screening Day found that more than two-thirds reported memory complaints, but only twelve (12) percent had discussed them with their physicians.
Following its successful inaugural National Memory Screening Day last year, the Alzheimer’s Foundation for Caregiving in Canada (AFCC) will again be offering free confidential memory screenings—this time at more than 260 local sites across Canada on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
Sites include Wal-Mart Pharmacies, Costco Pharmacies, Lawtons Pharmacies/Sobeys and London Drug Pharmacies, as well as long-term care facilities, retirement homes, clinics, visiting nursing organizations and healthcare professionals’ offices.
Coinciding with Seniors’ Month in Canada, this annual initiative is aimed at promoting early detection of memory problems and appropriate interventions. AFCC encourages adults with memory concerns, a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or a desire to check their memory to get screened and to pick up educational materials about memory concerns, successful aging and local resources.
“We need to engage our Canadian community to bring memory and dementia issues to the forefront of our health care discussions, especially as our population ages,” said Taras W. Rohatyn, AFCC’s president.
On National Memory Screening Day, qualified healthcare professionals will administer a face-to-face, non-invasive and confidential screening, which takes approximately five minutes and consists of a series of questions and tasks. The screening results do not represent a diagnosis, and screeners encourage individuals with below normal scores as well as those who still have concerns to pursue a full medical exam. Follow up with a clinician may reveal that the person’s memory problems stem from reversible conditions such as a vitamin deficiency or a thyroid problem, or from an irreversible disorder like Alzheimer’s disease.
Currently it is estimated that nearly 300,000 Canadians have Alzheimer’s disease and the incidence is expected to more than double by 2031.
For information about this year’s National Memory Screening Day, including screening sites, visit www.alzfdn.ca or call 1-877-321-2594
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 organization who service families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses. For additional information, visit www.alzfdn.caor call 1-877-321-2594.
PLEASE CONTACT:
Robert Appleton
Director of Development & Communication
1-877-321-2594
afcc-pr@alzfdn.ca
