While the world and daily life has shifted, Maple Ridge residents living with dementia still need to access support and education.
To help fund these services locally, a team representing the Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows Katzie, Seniors Network will be taking part in the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s online.
Team members will be made up of people from the Dementia Friendly Community Task Group and they will be raising money in support of the Alzheimer Society of B.C.
For the past two years the task group hosted a community event called Walk In A Box in Memorial Peace Park but will, instead, be taking part in the online walk because of the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
On the team’s fundraising page, the group noted that they are working to make the City of Maple Ridge more dementia friendly and inclusive of people with memory loss.
They say they are taking part in the walk because, “dementia is the fastest growing healthcare issue of our time”.
And, they wrote, as more people are impacted, more programs and services are needed.
More than 70,000 British Columbians live with dementia and this number is expected to grow.
“Dementia doesn’t stop and neither do we,” says Alzheimer Society of B.C. CEO Maria Howard. “Even though the ways we are delivering our programs and services have needed to change, we are still committed to helping British Columbians affected by dementia. I invite all of you to help us do this by registering and fundraising for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s online.”
Taking place on Sunday, May 31, the online event will start at 9 a.m. and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.
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Participants will hear from people across Canada who are affected by dementia, and will be encouraged to move in a way that works for them.
This could be laps around someone’s yard, a living room dance party, or jumping jacks on a balcony.
It’s easy to get involved. People can visit walkforalzheimers.ca to register to represent their community and get updates about the online walk experience.
People are encouraged to do a fitness challenge before, during or after the event and create a fundraising page to share with friends and family.
Proceeds will help fund programs and services to support people living with dementia in Maple Ridge. They will also help enable research into the causes of and cure for dementia.
“We know that due to physical distancing, many people are feeling isolated,” Howard added. “We hope that by joining us at the online event, Canadians affected by dementia can connect with each other and honour and remember people in their lives affected by the disease. Now, more than ever, connection is important.”
Fundraising opportunities and registration for the walk is available at walkforalzheimers.ca.