Are you a caregiver of someone with early on-set dementia or Alzheimer’s? Dr. Tiffany Chow's new book, The Memory Clinic offers practical and reassuring advice for caregivers like you. We're hosting a special kind of book club for you with an intimate face to face discussion with Dr. Chow. Keep reading for all the details.
Have you ever misplaced your keys and made an off-the-cuff comment about having Alzheimer’s? There are plenty of jokes circulating about forgetfulness and lapsing into senior moments. Why is this? We humans like to make jokes about the things we fear. Making light of a serious disease might help deal with the social stigma but in reality Alzheimer’s and dementia are no laughing matter. There’s nothing funny about watching your loved ones decline into a shell of their former selves.
For all the dread associated with the words Alzheimer’s and dementia, there’s still help for those of us caring for someone who is coping with the disease. There’s also hope on the horizon when it comes to prevention. Dr. Tiffany Chow has made it her professional and personal mission to study and treat people with dementia and Alzheimer's. Dr. Chow is a beacon of hope, help, and healing for an illness where there is, as yet, no cure. Dr. Chow has a genetic legacy of Alzheimer’s disease through her grandmother. Dr. Chow wants to share her research to help others mitigate the impact of genetics through nutrition, exercise, and the concept of cerebral reserve with the use of brain games also known as neuroplasticity.
“This book is a summary of what I’ve learned through my research or from my colleagues about prevention and management of dementia.”
“Even where there is a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, people at risk can do things to prevent its onset or progression.”
Dr. Tiffany Chow, MD is senior clinician-scientist at the Baycrest Rotman Research Institute and staff behavioural neurologist at the Sam and Ida Ross Memory Clinic. She also holds a dual appointment as assistant professor of neurology and geriatric psychiatry with the University of Toronto. She lives in Toronto.
My husband’s mother had Alzheimer’s. I was introduced to my future mother-in-law when her disease was in full effect. I didn’t get to meet the brave, strong woman who raised a family of 3 boys and served as a foster parent to over 100 children. Instead, I met the woman who was no longer there. To be more precise, she spent most of her waking hours rocking in her chair. She would alternate between states of concern and confusion or stare, displaying a flat affect of blankness. I did attempt to engage with questions only to be met with silence or answered with another question similar to “Where is my house?”. At the time I knew very little about the disease but I did recognize my sadness and frustration mirrored and magnified in my fiance's eyes. This is the reality of dementia. It takes away memories, skills, relationships and lives.
My sister's mother-in-law has dementia. Her condition is a source of ongoing concern for her son, daughter-in-law and our extended family. I have a half dozen friends who are part of the sandwich generation, taking care of their children and one or both parents diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia. In all these cases, the disease takes its toll on the person affected and their loved ones.
January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. YummyMummyClub.ca wants to hear from you, if your life or the lives of the people you love has been altered by Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia. We think it's important for caregivers to share their stories and very pleased to offer a special evening event with Dr. Chow.
When: Monday, January 28, 2013 from 7 - 9pm
Where: Fireside Lounge, Baycrest Terraces
(3560 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON)
The Memory Clinic comes out on January 8th, but we will send all event attendees an early copy to read. Then, you’ll join Erica Ehm, yours truly and a group of people like you who are currently facing challenges as a caregiver.
Dr. Tiffany Chow will guide the group through a conversation about prevention, management, and practical strategies. We promise an evening of compassion, hope, and knowledge. We do hope you’ll join us.
Click here to sign up to join us for the event
on January 28, 2013.
And if you aren't in Toronto or can't come to the event, you can pre-order a copy of The Memory Clinic here. And we'll be sharing what we learn from Dr. Chow on Social Media so do stay tuned to the YMC Facebook page and our YMC Twitter feeds.
Relish reading,
Wanda Lynne Young
@BookaliciousCA
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