Taking steps to help combat cognitive loss
As the average age of Canadians continues to climb, the number of people with Alzheimer's disease, and other forms of dementia, also grows.
There are efforts to help people live better, longer lives and those initiatives were given a boost on Saturday with fundraising walks for the Alzheimer Society.
"We're going to be hitting almost a million Canadians in less than 10 years," said Maggie Scanlon.
Scanlon is the director of Programs and Services for the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners, which represents the City of London, Ont., along with Middlesex, Elgin and Oxford Counties.
“All of the money raised here today helps support the programs and services that we offer, so they can be free. We really don’t want to have barriers to accessing programs and services,” she added.
The London walk, held at Mother Teresa Catholic Secondary School, was one of four that took place across our region, with others in St. Thomas, Woodstock and Tillsonburg.
Jane and Billy Doran participated in the London Walk. Billy is coping with Alzheimer’s disease as Jane supports him.
“This walk means a lot to me,” said Jane. “It means more than anything, the support I've had from them."
Jane said that support is wide-ranging, "Different programs Bill and I have both attended. The emotional support, the educational support. Also, we take advantage of their volunteers who come and help us once a week for two-and-a-half hours."
Scanlon said Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners sees 150 new referrals a month. The London Walk is 13,500 steps, representing the number of people living with the disease in the region, "With the number people being diagnosed with a form of dementia, it's not just a person being diagnosed, it's all of the friends, family, neighbours that support them to ensure they can continue to live a really successful life in the community."
In recent weeks, there has been a significant announcement regarding a possible contributing factor to Alzheimer's disease, linking it to cholesterol. That may lead to new therapies.
There has also been encouraging news regarding an experimental drug that has the potential to slow cognitive loss.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein's 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case.
BREAKING Monthly earnings rise, payroll employment falls: jobs report
The number of vacant jobs in Canada increased in February, while monthly payroll employment decreased in food services, manufacturing, and retail trade, among other sectors.
Doctors say capital gains tax changes will jeopardize their retirement. Is that true?
The Canadian Medical Association asserts the Liberals' proposed changes to capital gains taxation will put doctors' retirement savings in jeopardy, but some financial experts insist incorporated professionals are not as doomed as they say they are.
Secret $70M Lotto Max winners break their silence
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Remains from a mother-daughter cold case were found nearly 24 years later, after a deathbed confession from the suspect
A West Virginia father is getting some sense of closure after authorities found the remains of his young daughter and her mother following a deathbed confession from the man believed to have fatally shot them nearly two decades ago.
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
Metro Vancouver mayors call for serial killer Robert Pickton to be denied parole
A dozen mayors from around Metro Vancouver say federal Attorney General and Justice Minister Arif Virani should deny parole for notorious B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton, and reassess the parole and sentencing system for 'prolific offenders and mass murderers.'
What do weight loss drugs mean for a diet industry built on eating less and exercising more?
Recent injected drugs like Wegovy and its predecessor, the diabetes medication Ozempic, are reshaping the health and fitness industries.
2 military horses that broke free and ran loose across London are in serious condition
Two military horses that bolted and ran miles through the streets of London after being spooked by construction noise and tossing their riders were in a serious condition and required operations, a British government official said Thursday.