Tens of thousands turned out for the Cornwall Walk for Alzheimer Society

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Even as resources are stretched to help current clients with Alzheimer’s, there are always more residents living in the shadow of this growing mental health condition.

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“A lot of people don’t realize they need help, or if they do, they don’t know where to go for support,” said Kaylee Ferguson, a first link care navigator for the Alzheimer Society of Cornwall and District (ASCD).

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Ferguson was one of many volunteers who helped register and educate participants in this year’s IG Wealth Management Walk for the Alzheimer Society at the Benson Center Fieldhouse on Saturday morning.

Publicizing the walk helps make sure more people become aware that support is out there, Ferguson said.

“A lot of these caregivers think they can do it themselves,” she said.

She estimates the number of people with Alzheimer’s and related dementia to be between 120 and 170 in the Cornwall branch’s catchment area.

There are many more affected and thousands of family and friends who are directly affected.

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“The (initial) benefits of (ASCD) is that we can help them navigate what they need,” Ferguson said.

She said the services are designed to keep clients at home as much as possible.

“And you don’t even need a diagnosis (of dementia) to get our services,” she said.

Volunteer Rita White lost her husband Rod last year while he was suffering from Alzheimer’s.

“(ASCD) has been a big part of our lives,” White said.

“It feels really good that people are recognizing that there are challenges that we face,” she said of participating in the walk.

The walk was expected to generate nearly $50,000.

The money helps the society add new programs and services, such as a new partnership with local police started last year called the Lifesaver bracelet, which helps locate clients with dementia.

To continue donating or to find more information about the disease, visit alzheimer.ca/cornwall.

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