The pandemic hasn't been easy on anyone in Squamish, or beyond, but it has been particularly challenging for those living with various forms of dementia and their families.
"There's been a lot of information that has come out about the impact of social isolation," said Amelia Gillies, a support and education coordinator with the Alzheimer Society of B.C. who works with Squamish residents living with dementia and their families.
"Living well with dementia — a big part of that is being connected, is being connected to a community, is being connected to support, and the pandemic really threw a spanner in the works there."
Gillies said part of the reason the organization's upcoming 10th annual Climb for Alzheimer's fundraiser is important is that it does provide a sense of community for those touched by Alzheimer's or any form of dementia.
The word dementia is an umbrella term for various forms of cognitive impairment.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To take part in the Climb for Alzheimer's, hikers can participate virtually from Sept. 1 to 21 or, for locals who prefer, there's an in-person Grouse Grind hike in North Vancouver on Sunday, Sept. 19.
Approximately 500,000 Canadians are currently living with dementia, according to the Alzheimer Society.
"For each one of those individual people, there's a whole circle of folks who are supporting," Gillies said, adding keeping those with dementia safe has been top of mind for many during the pandemic.
"Especially those living in long-term care and we do have long-term care in Squamish, as well, and I know that has been front of mind for them."
Supporting someone with dementia has never been easy, Gillies said but you don't have to go it alone. The Society offers lots of programs and assistance for family members, which is what some funds raised by the climb will go toward.
"If you have met one person with dementia, you have met one person with dementia," she said, noting each path is different.
One of the big misconceptions people have is that a dementia diagnosis spells the end, Gillies said.
"People can live well with dementia and we have so many people that we are connected with — clients — who have dementia who are really exemplifying that," she said. "We even have folks participating in the climb, whether it is the climb in person at the Grouse Grind… maybe they are going up Mount Crumpit or maybe they are taking the gondola up, instead of doing the Sea to Summit. Regardless of how they are doing it, we are showing that they are able to live full lives."
For questions about dementia or memory loss, or to connect to the Alzheimer Society of B.C.'s programs and services, call the First Link Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033.
The Helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Information and support is also available in Punjabi (1-833-674-5003) and in Cantonese or Mandarin (1-833-674-5007) Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
