Dez Loreen
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 25/06) - Alzheimer's is a very serious and frightful disease, because it can affect the way people think, and their ability to remember familiar things.

"The best way to help those with the disease, is to embrace them, because it's no fault of theirs," said Christine Gordon, who works with people who suffer from Alzheimer's.

Christine Gordon of the Alzheimer's society of Alberta and the Northwest Territories related her personal experiences with Alzheimer's and answered questions.

A public information session was held last Thursday night for people who wanted to know more about Alzheimer's disease.

Gordon was joined by colleague Roy Bedford from the Territorial Alzheimer's Society.

The pair took questions from more than a dozen Yellowknifers at Northern United Place eager to share their experiences, as well as provided any additional information about the disease.

The disease is known to affect people above the age of 80, but also has been seen in middle-aged adults as well.

Gordon explained some of the early warning signs that should be reason for a medical check up.

"Watch for changes in behaviour," warned Gordon. "If you are concerned about someone, ask the person to see a doctor."

Memory loss of important facts or who people are, is another important warning sign.

"One person I met said her mother forgot that her husband had died years ago," said Gordon.

She talked about a mother who had a house cleaning routine for years, until one day her son noticed that dust had collected on the table.

"She wouldn't have let the dust settle unless she forgot to clean it," Gordon said.

In response to people in the audience with questions about home life: "Try to keep someone with Alzheimer's in a familiar place," Gordon said.

Although moving the person into controlled care may be the best idea in the later stages of the disease, Gordon said that abrupt change could be unsettling for someone with Alzheimer's.

"I knew of one woman who would walk endlessly, looking for something familiar."

Alzheimer's disease dates way back to 1901, named after German doctor Alois Alzheimer.

While there are no known treatments for Alzheimer's, there are medications that can slow down the symptoms of the disease.