“The researchers used magnetic resonance imaging or MRIs to see if hearing loss is associated with specific parts of the brain,” explained Wendy Moore, research and marketing manager for Hear Well Be Well Hearing Clinics. “They found physical changes in the areas of the brain that look after processing sound and that govern attention. These changes may make the brain less resilient and open the door for development of dementia.”

The researchers suggested these regionally specific brain changes may occur due to sensory deprivation, not hearing sound, and the increased effort used to understand sounds and speech.

The lead researcher, Linda K. McEvoy, PhD, suggested the extra effort involved with trying to understand sounds may produce these changes in the brain which, in turn, may lead to increased risk of developing dementia. McEvoy is professor emeritus at the University of California, San Diego, Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and senior investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute.

Statistics Canada estimates 50 per cent of adults over the age of 50 have some hearing impairment. Hearing impairment can be caused by illness, medication, loud noise exposure and genetics in addition to aging.

Other studies have shown even mild hearing loss can double the risk of developing dementia. Severe hearing loss increases that risk by five times.

“So many people think, ‘oh, well, losing my hearing is just part of getting old’,” Moore said. “That’s not the case. It’s part of a person’s overall health and what their future could look like. The repercussions of ignoring hearing loss are fairly wide and include relationship breakdown, serious falls that put you in hospital and an increased risk of depression.

“Hearing tests are free for adults, at least at Hear Well Be Well they are,” Moore added. “There’s no reason to not know where you stand with your hearing.”

Hear Well Be Well has 14 locations in Ontario serving rural, small and mid-sized communities. More information about the current research is available on their website, HearWellBeWell.ca.

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When you reach out to your local Alzheimer Society, you gain access to dementia-friendly expertise and resources to help you feel understood and supported. At any point in your experience living with dementia or caring for a person with dementia, your local Alzheimer Society is your first place to turn – and the Society’s First Link^® program offers services and information to people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias and caregivers. First Link includes information about risk reduction, living well with dementia, the latest research and advocacy efforts, as well as referrals to programs to help you manage the challenges that dementia can present.

The goal of the Alzheimer Society’s First Link^® program is to ensure that people living with dementia and caregivers have the right support and information, from the time of an initial diagnosis and throughout the progression of the disease.

To get connected to your local Alzheimer Society for support, visit www.alzheimer.ca/FirstLink

The post For People Living With Dementia, Support Changes Everything appeared first on Muskoka411.

The Light It Up Blue campaign was created to help raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in our local area, and to help our communities become more dementia friendly. For a $20 donation, you will receive a blue light bulb, which can be displayed for the whole month of January to show your support. Each $20 donation enables 1 person to attend a training session where they can learn skills to help recognize, interact with, and understand a person living with dementia when they are in the community or their business.

“Dementia-friendly communities are crucial in supporting individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia,” said Amanda Stanton, Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Muskoka. “By purchasing a blue lightbulb, you can help us provide training to local businesses, organizations, and community members, enabling them to better understand and support those living with dementia in our community.”

All funds raised by this campaign will stay within our local communities to support essential programs and services, but we can’t do this without our supporters. From governments and local shops to book clubs and churches, we all have a part to play in creating communities where people with dementia feel active, engaged, and valued.

In addition to the sale of blue lightbulbs, the society will also be hosting flag raisings in Parry Sound (11am on Tuesday Jan 3rd), Bracebridge (2:30pm on Wednesday Jan 4th), Huntsville (11am on Thursday Jan 5th), Lake of Bays (10am on Monday, Jan 9th), Port Carling (10am on Wednesday Jan 11th), and Gravenhurst (2:30pm on Wednesday Jan 11th) to kick off Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

“We invite the entire community to join us at these flag raisings and show their support for those living with dementia,” said Michael Schneider, Public Education Coordinator. “Together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all members of our community.”

For more information about the #LightItUp campaign, including pick-up locations, visit the Alzheimer Society of Muskoka’s website at www.AlzheimerMuskoka.ca, or call the office at (705) 645 – 5621.

The post Light Up Muskoka Blue For Alzheimer’s Awareness Month appeared first on Muskoka411.

The Light It Up Blue campaign was created to help raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in our local area, and to help our communities become more dementia friendly. For a $20 donation, you will receive a blue light bulb, which can be displayed for the whole month of January to show your support. Each $20 donation enables 1 person to attend a training session where they can learn skills to help recognize, interact with, and understand a person living with dementia when they are in the community or their business.

“The Light It Up Blue Campaign was created to bring our communities together in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease,” said Amanda Stanton, Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Muskoka. “This Campaign is helping to create a dementia-friendly community where people living with dementia are understood, respected, and supported.”

But we can’t do this without the community. From governments and local shops to book clubs and churches, we all have a part to play in creating communities where people with dementia feel active, engaged, and valued.

To donate and receive a lightbulb, or for more information about the #LightItUpBlue campaign, visit the Alzheimer Society of Muskoka’s website at www.AlzheimerMuskoka.ca, or call the office at (705) 645 – 5621.

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