MEDIA RELEASE: The BrainyActive Challenge

The Dementia Society is launching the BrainyActive Challenge on September 19^th and will close this new brain health awareness and fundraising campaign on Thanksgiving. During this time, we invite members of the community to share their BrainyActive Challenges on social media to show the diversity of activities you can do to challenge your brain and ward off dementia.

#BrainyActive Challenge

BrainyActiveChallenge.ca

The need in our community for support for people living with dementia, their caregivers and families is great, particularly during this time of social distancing and isolation. To raise awareness of brain health and funds for dementia support in our community, the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County is launching the BrainyActive Challenge.

Did you know?

• September is World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
• September 21^st is World Alzheimer’s Awareness Day
• September 20-26^th is World Dementia Awareness Week.

What is the BrainyActive Challenge?

Anyone can take the BrainyActive Challenge by doing a brain-boosting activity every day, whether reading a book, taking a walk, doing a puzzle, learning something new, dancing or knitting. Activities that challenge the brain help maintain memory, thinking, attention and reasoning abilities as we age. You don’t have to run a marathon; just keep doing, learning and moving and you’ve got a braintastic prescription to boost your cognitive reserves and fend off dementia!

Being Social is Good Brain Training

As part of the challenge, we’re asking participants to take a picture or video and share their BrainyActive Challenge using #BrainyActiveChallenge, and to tag us on Facebook and Instagram @thedementiasociety and on Twitter @thedementiasoc. And to challenge their friends to join the challenge!

Small lifestyle choices can help ward off dementia, and dementia prevention starts early. This inclusive challenge invites people of all ages and abilities to participate.

About the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County: Since 1980, the Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County has been:

• Connecting people living with dementia and their caregivers to programs, resources, information, and each other.
• ●      Funding programs that help people living with dementia stay active, get social and enjoy  meaningful lives;
• Raising awareness of how to prevent dementia and improve lives by creating a dementia-friendly community.

The money raised in the BrainyActive Challenge will directly benefit the 24,000 people living with dementia in Ottawa and Renfrew County. The need is great, particularly during this time of social distancing and isolation. With our community’s help, we can do more to keep people engaged and connected in their homes, and increase resources to caregivers needing expert, compassionate support.

“My Dementia Care Coach met with me via zoom to talk about my Dad’s condition and provided various supports. She provided support and a listening ear up until and including the day my father was passing away, which included a zoom meeting with incredible short notice”

~ Brigitte McCauley – Daughter and Caregiver

Dementia and COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected people living with dementia and their caregivers and families: two-thirds of COVID-19 deaths in Canada have been people with dementia. Though necessary, COVID-19 public health measures have further restricted social interaction for people living with dementia and their caregivers—whether living in long-term care, or in their own homes—people living with dementia and their caregivers are experiencing more than social distancing, but rather significant social isolation and a precipitation of the illness’ effects.

The physical, cognitive and behavioural symptoms of dementia make it challenging for people with a diagnosis to take advantage of day-to-day activities without additional support, in the best of times.

For more information, visit: www.BrainyActiveChallenge.ca

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