Keeping track of time by watching the ferries come and go from their home in Victoria, Joe Ross and Amy Cameron explain that they now B次元官网网址渇unction as a pair.B次元官网网址�
This shift is quite different from their earlier working lives, where they both travelled extensively for different jobs. This new mindset has evolved after 30 years of friendship, almost a decade of marriage, and a move from Europe to Vancouver Island as a result of AmyB次元官网网址檚 diagnosis of young-onset AlzheimerB次元官网网址檚 disease in her 50s.
January is , an opportunity for people to have conversations about dementia. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is recognizing AlzheimerB次元官网网址檚 Awareness Month by sharing the experiences of people like Joe and Amy Ross, who have found meaning, connection and joy after a dementia diagnosis, in part by connecting with the Alzheimer Society of B.C.
Together, Joe and Amy navigate their journey with the support of a community of people affected by dementia B次元官网网址� connections they first made while participating in the Alzheimer Society of B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Shaping the journey education series. Designed for people experiencing early symptoms of dementia and their care partners, they enrolled in this program soon after AmyB次元官网网址檚 diagnosis.
For Amy, being introduced to this community helped her come to terms with a diagnosis that she initially felt was B次元官网网址渄evastating.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淭hat took a while to sink in, but I soon realized the diagnosis was not as debilitating as I first thought,B次元官网网址� Amy says. B次元官网网址淵ou realize youB次元官网网址檙e not on your own and that youB次元官网网址檙e not the only one.B次元官网网址�
Joe and Amy remain focused on that shared journey as they look ahead to the future. They attend symphonies and live music performances when they can, take walks, try to motivate each other to go to the pool, take part in weekly Zoom calls with their families and watch the ferries B次元官网网址� cherishing the moments they can spend together.
Take part
In January, caregivers and people living with dementia will explore this yearB次元官网网址檚 AlzheimerB次元官网网址檚 Awareness Month theme by sharing their unique journeys living with the disease in two virtual panel discussions. Participants will learn how the Alzheimer Society of B.C. listened to families' needs and guided them to programs, resources and education that were right for them.
Learn how finding a guide can help you to continue to find joy, meaning and connection, no matter where you are on the journey.
- on Jan. 15 from 2 to 30 p.m. PT
- on Jan. 22 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. PT.
Find support
If you have questions about AlzheimerB次元官网网址檚 disease or other dementias, call the Alzheimer Society of B.C.'s for information and support (toll-free in B.C. only):
- English: 1-800-936-6033 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Cantonese and Mandarin: 1-833-674-5007 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu: 1-833-674-5003 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)