January is Alzheimer Awareness Month in North Bay and it’s all about creating awareness around Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay and Districts Alzheimer Society board president Greg Godin says they offer support, services and programs for patients including and and memory programs.

There’s also programs for caregivers.

He says, “caregivers are important as well, because they are the ones looking after the patient, so we make sure we have services for them and we do have training programs for caregivers, actually, an educational program.”

Mayor Al McDonald proclaimed January as Alzheimer Awareness Month in the city.

He says his family has been impacted, having lost his grandfather to Alzheimer’s 14 years ago, “We lost a loved one, but just as sadly, he didn’t know who we were and he loved us dearly.”

McDonald added, “it’s an awareness piece that we need to find a cure, but also to support the families that are going through this.”

Officials say one out of ten seniors in Ontario is living with this devastating disease but increasingly people in their 40’s and 50’s are also being affected.

An educational event is being held January 25th while a dinner with the North Bay Battalion, in support of the Alzheimer Society is also taking place February 7th.

Contact the Alzheimer’s Society at 705-495-4342 for more information.