Jerry Isenor was diagnosed with Alzheimer乌鸦传媒檚 disease in 2019. Her husband, Lyle, suspects it began at least two years before that. After noticing changes in Jerry乌鸦传媒檚 memory, they spoke with their GP who told them to hold off on further testing.
乌鸦传媒淭he doc said if we did psychological tests right then, with her IQ she'd still come out as above average,乌鸦传媒� Lyle says.
January is , an opportunity for people to have conversations about dementia. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is recognizing Alzheimer乌鸦传媒檚 Awareness Month by sharing the experiences of people like Jerry and Lyle Isenor, who have found meaning, connection and joy after a dementia diagnosis.
A carpenter-turned-businessman, Lyle notes that being married to one of the top accountants in the city meant he never had to deal with banking 乌鸦传媒� until Jerry乌鸦传媒檚 disease progressed and he had to take over management of their finances.
乌鸦传媒淪he always looked after everything,乌鸦传媒� Lyle says. 乌鸦传媒淚 didn乌鸦传媒檛 even know how to log into online banking.乌鸦传媒�
Taking on different household roles was just one of many new things Lyle and Jerry had to learn, so Lyle reached out to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. for support. Staff on the answered his questions and guided him to the support he needed in his community.
乌鸦传媒淚 was desperate. I called the Helpline and spent probably 40 minutes on the phone,乌鸦传媒� Lyle says. 乌鸦传媒淚t was lifesaving.乌鸦传媒�
Patience is the key, according to Lyle. While some of Jerry乌鸦传媒檚 behaviour may be challenging, it乌鸦传媒檚 imperative to remember that it乌鸦传媒檚 the disease, not the person.
乌鸦传媒淵ou know they are going to say ****. Get over it,乌鸦传媒� Lyle says. 乌鸦传媒淭hey乌鸦传媒檙e still the magnificent person that they always were.乌鸦传媒�
Take part
In January, caregivers and people living with dementia will explore this year乌鸦传媒檚 Alzheimer乌鸦传媒檚 Awareness Month theme by sharing their unique journeys living with the disease in two virtual panel discussions. Participants will learn how the Alzheimer Society of B.C. listened to needs and guided families to programs, resources and education that were right for them.
- on Jan. 15 from 2 to 30 p.m. PT
- on Jan. 22 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. PT.
Find support
If you have questions about Alzheimer乌鸦传媒檚 disease or other dementias, call the Alzheimer Society of B.C.'s for information and support (toll-free in B.C. only):
- English: 1-800-936-6033 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Cantonese and Mandarin: 1-833-674-5007 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu: 1-833-674-5003 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)