Dementia News & Events

Holidays - Helping for Families Living with Alzheimer's

Halifax, Canada, December 14, 2006 - A new product released by Halifax-based DementiaGuide offers additional support to Alzheimer's patients and their families during the holidays, and all year round.

The holiday season can be particularly stressful for the 435,000 Canadians living with Alzheimer's disease, at least half at home, and their caregivers.  As family and friends think of ways to support the person with dementia, and help the spouse or other family members who provide day-to-day care, they often ask themselves, "What role can I play?"

Research shows 40% of family caregivers report symptoms of depression.  Improved understanding and monitoring of dementia symptoms help make life easier.

Based on over 10 years of clinical research by dementia specialist, Dr. Kenneth Rockwood at Dalhousie University, DementiaGuide's interactive website offers an online system for tracking and managing over 60 symptoms of Alzheimer's disease over time, and suggests ways to manage those symptoms.

"Repetitive questioning, disorientation and wandering may be particularly stressful during the holidays, when people with Alzheimer's disease encounter unfamiliar faces and disruptions in daily routines," said Dr. Rockwood today.  "Families living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias find it reassuring to monitor and discuss changes in a more meaningful way."

In addition to 800 pages of free information similar to those offered by typical online resources, DementiaGuide's interactive functionality also allows families to print off and share reports that show changes in symptoms over time.  These reports boost communications between family members and health professionals, by allowing others to understand changes in abilities and activities "at a glance."

DementiaGuide's website can be found at www.dementiaguide.ca

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For further information contact:

Kathryn Garden, Vice President, Operations
T 902.421.5710
info@dementiaguide.ca