The Murray Alzheimer Research and Education Program (MAREP) at the University of Waterloo has released a new video series aimed at changing the way people think about dementia.
The video series follows on the heels of the G8 Dementia Summit held in London in December. By 2031 dementia will affect 1.4 million Canadians, more than double the number today.
“There is a common perception that a diagnosis of dementia means life has ended. That simply isn’t true,” said Jessica Luh, Associate Director of Education for MAREP. “This video series challenges the stereotypes and stigmas often associated with dementia and offers new hope for those diagnosed with the disease.”
Produced in partnership with Montral-based Director Chris Wynn, A New Voice: living well with dementia, follows Mary Beth Wighton, a 45 year old woman newly diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. Wighton meets three individuals living with dementia and learns the tools and strategies they use to maintain productive, meaningful lives.
Like all of MAREP’s resources, the video series is based on an authentic partnership approach, which includes those living with dementia, their family members and care partners, in the creation of practical tools. The end result puts a new lens on the dementia journey.
Wighton is currently advocating for the creation of a national dementia strategy. Canada is the only G8 country without one.
“Program and policy developers need us at table to help educate and make the critical decisions that will affect us directly. People with dementia have a voice. We just need to be heard,” said Wighton. “We are the ones living with dementia. So we, more than anyone, are the experts on how to live well.”
A New Voice: living well with dementia will be premiered on Wednesday January 15, 2014 at a public event held at Luther Village On the Park. Chris Wynn and Mary-Beth Wighton will be in attendance and available for interviews. Media wishing to attend should register with Nick Manning.
The series can be purchased on MAREP’s website for $35.00 plus HST. All proceeds go to the development of additional educational tools.
About the University of Waterloo
In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's technology hub, has become one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities with 35,000 full- and part-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Waterloo, as home to the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program, embraces its connections to the world and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery. In the next decade, the university is committed to building a better future for Canada and the world by championing innovation and collaboration to create solutions relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow. For more information about Waterloo, please visit www.uwaterloo.ca.
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