The Alzheimer Society of BC is calling on local residents to take part in British Columbia's largest Coffee Break on Sept. 15.
This do-it-yourself event is part of a nation-wide fundraiser that each year raises important funds to support more than 70,000 British Columbians living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Anyone can host a Coffee Break - friends, families or corporations - at home, at work or a public venue by exchanging a cup of coffee for a donation on behalf of the society. This year's national goal is $1.5 million.
"The dementia crisis is now and it's in our communities," Jean Blake, CEO for the Alzheimer Society of BC said in a press release. "We still don't have a cure for the disease but support, education and information about what to expect on the dementia journey help families to develop the skills and confidence to live well and independently longer. Our programs are increasingly vital. We need community support and funds to keep them active."
Demand for services is steadily climbing as the number of Canadians with dementia surges. An estimated 1.3 million Canadians will be affected by 2038. This number does not take into account thousands of caregivers who already clock a staggering 231 million hours a year in unpaid care. Burgeoning baby boomers will compound this trend. The risk for dementia doubles every five years after age 65.
While Coffee Break officially kicks off Sept. 15, participants can host their event any time for one month after, and they can be simple or elaborate, from organizing corporate challenges to holding trivia nights, to staging events at local coffee shops or shopping centres.
For registration, tips and information on how to get started, visit www.alzheimerbc.org/Get-Involved/Coffee-Break.aspx.
Alzheimer's disease, the leading form of dementia, is a fatal brain disease that progressively impacts memory, speech and behaviour. Eventually, those affected will become dependent on others for every aspect of their care. The disease can start to develop 10 to 20 years before symptoms appear. Age is still a major risk factor but the disease can also strike people in their 40s and 50s.
