January marks Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia is continuing to offer virtual programming amid COVID-19 restrictions

CITYnews halifax \ Stephen Wentzell

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January marks Alzheimer’s awareness month, and a local organization who provides supports to those with Alzheimer’s and their families is gearing up for a month of programming.

The theme this year for the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia is connectedness in communities.

“This year the focus is getting connected, so the importance of getting connected to the Alzheimer Society if you’re worried about your memory or if you’ve recently had a diagnosis of dementia or if you’ve been living with it for a long time, those connections all matter,” explained Linda Bird, director of programming and services at the Alzheimer Society.

She says while in-person services are shut down due to COVID-19 restrictions, programming for patients and care partners continues in a virtual capacity.

“Not only is information really important, but so is connecting to other families, other people who are living with the disease and living well,” Bird said. “Sharing tips and strategies, resources that can help, just sharing that understanding. Being with people who are on a journey such as you can help take away that isolation.”

The Society will also be sharing stories on their website throughout the month of January to highlight the Nova Scotians who have benefited from their programming.