Ken Johnston
It is likely that you know someone who has been either directly or indirectly affected by Alzheimer’s Disease.
For that reason, the Kenora-Rainy River Alzheimer Society has placed staff in both the Kenora and Rainy River districts to help patients, caregivers, and family members deal with its effects.
On July 3, Mary O’Connor of Rainy River assumed the duties of the Rainy River District client services co-ordinator for KRRAS, replacing Eleanor Barron, who retired.
O’Connor has been involved with the disease and the KRRAS in several ways over the years. A close family member has the disease and she has been a volunteer with the local “touch quilts” program.
It actually was the quilts that saw O’Connor stumble upon the job opening. She saw that the KRRAS was going to be at the Rainy River Trade Show and called to ask if they could pick up the quilts she had collected.
“I learned that Eleanor was retiring and that the job was coming open,” she noted.
Things then happened quickly for O’Connor. She learned about the job on a Tuesday and the closing date for applying was Thursday.
After years of raising a family and losing her job at the Ben Franklin store over in Baudette, Mn., O’Connor decided to go back to school and graduated from Northern College with a Developmental Services diploma in May, 2012.
“This job is exactly what I went to school for!” she remarked.
“I had no idea when I took the course that it would come open.”
There are two main prongs to O’Connor’s job as client services co-ordinator. The first is related to people suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia and their caregivers.
She receives referrals from the main office in Kenora, which come to the office from doctors, the Community Care Access Centre, etc.
Once O’Connor gets the referral, she contacts the people involved and then does an “intake” (basically an assessment of needs).
“There is so much information I have about the disease and services available, and each situation needs to be assessed to best serve them,” she noted.
O’Connor added that sometimes the first visit is to find needs and tell families what is available.
“They may not need any help at this time,” she explained. “But because we have done the intake, if they need help some two months down the road, then I can get them help right away.”
The other prong of her job is public education, with O’Connor holding public seminars on various topics.
She also will visit schools and, whenever possible, offer sessions such as the virtual dementia tour.
“It gives people perspective on what it is like for a person suffering with dementia,” O’Connor said.
Through education, they offer hope for families.
“There is so much ongoing research out there and by teaching people what to look for, early diagnosis can help slow the disease down,” O’Connor stressed.
People who have a family member with Alzheimer’s or dementia can get a referral from their doctor, or contact the KRRAS toll-free at 1-800-682-0245.
It then will contact O’Connor and set the wheels in motion.
She is responsible for providing services from Rainy River in the west to Mine Centre in the east, and north to Nestor Falls.
O’Connor noted that both Emo and Fort Frances have Alzheimer’s support groups, but Rainy River does not.
“I think it would be a good thing to get going as it is a big help to have others to talk to with similar experiences or even more experience,” she reasoned.
The KRRAS also is always looking for volunteers to help out with various aspects of the organization.
“We will be manning a booth at Emo Fair and need volunteers to help,” O’Connor said.
Alzheimer’s disease—the most common form of dementia—accounts for roughly 64 percent of all dementias in Canada.
Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain. It erases memory, steals the ability to think, and makes simple daily tasks, such as eating or getting dressed, impossible.
It robs independence and, eventually, takes life.
Alzheimer’s disease affects men and women of all races, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds. It is not a normal part of aging and no one is immune.
During the course of the disease, the chemistry and structure of the brain changes, leading to the death of brain cells.
“Early onset” is an inherited form of Alzheimer’s disease that strikes between the ages of 30 and 60.
Although genetics play a role in the disease, only five-seven percent of people diagnosed have early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Today, Alzheimer’s disease is the seventh-leading cause of death in Canada.
