Awareness bracelets help to dispel myths about Alzheimer’s disease

St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada-

Saturday October 08, 2005

St. Thomas Times Journal

By Libby Peters
Times-Journal Staff
Seven years ago, when his wife was diagnosed with the disease, Gord Hind didn’t know much about the Alzheimer Society.
His wife, Dorothy (Jackie) Hind had been a nurse for a number of years and witnessed patients struggling with Alzheimer’s as they got older.
“It scared her a lot, knowing it was coming,” said Hind.
When Dorothy was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, the Hinds contacted the Alzheimer Society for support and information. Gord said he was impressed with the amount of help that was available through the society, and now considers it his responsibility to help other people and spread awareness.
Gord has been a volunteer with the society for almost five years, participating in many of the group’s regular events: organizing the breakfast with Santa event, selling tickets and bracelets, delivering posters, and co-ordinating the A&P grocery tape program — the store donates a sum of money to the society for every so much spent in groceries.
And the events are in full swing right now. September was Coffee Break Month, the Alzheimer Society’s major annual fundraiser during which communities across Canada gathered to raise funds to help support local programs and services.
Randy Grozelle, events co-ordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Elgin-St. Thomas, said this September marked the 10th anniversary of the coffee break. Sept. 21 was World Alzheimer Day.
The society “recognizes that Canadians love drinking coffee,” said Grozelle, and this is a good way for people to get together and share a cup that counts.
Julie Johnston, executive director for the Alzheimer Society of Elgin-St. Thomas, said that although the disease is gaining awareness there are still a lot of myths.
“So many people are touched by Alzheimer’s, and many don’t even know it,” she said, referring to the number of people who don’t recognize that they have the disease.
One way the society hopes to spread awareness is through their new “unforgettable” silicone bracelets, sold across St. Thomas and Elgin, including at Valleyview, Elgin Manor, and Terrace Lodge in Aylmer.
Hind has sold more than 145 bracelets so far for the society. He said the wristbands are popular with young people, and everyone loves the light blue colour. Hind and Johnston point out that the bracelets have become a vehicle to educate about the disease across generations. Youngsters are interested in owning them and asking their parents what the bracelets mean — and that spells education.
“Parents say the name and explain what they know about the Alzheimer Society,” said Hind.
Never was awareness so fashionable.