January: Alzheimer’s Awareness Month across Canada

“As time goes on, I will be less cognitive,” says Donald Taylor who was diagnosed with Lewy body Dementia, the Montrealer shares his story as January marks Alzheimer’s Awareness Month across Canada. Pamela Pagano reports.

Every week, Donald Taylor comes to the Alzheimer Society of Montreal.

After his family noticed a change in his behavior five years ago, he was diagnosed with Lewy body Dementia – and as January marks Alzheimer’s Awareness Month across Canada the society is highlighting ways one could help support the over 770,000 people living with a form of dementia across the nation.

One way the society says, is to “listen to the stories of people with lived experience.”

“As time goes on, I will be less cognitive,” said Taylor. “I find myself being slower doing things than before.”

Donald Taylor at the Alzheimer Society of Montreal on Jan. 21, 2025. (Pamela Pagano, CityNews)

For over 45 years – Taylor was an orthodontist.

Now, at 82 years old, he’s still making people smile – through his kind personality.

Which shines when he comes through the doors of the Montreal Alzheimer Society.

“We discussed that with my daughter before and she said, what did you do today? I try to remember what we did today,” said Taylor. “Basically what we have is we arrive at 10 o’clock in the morning.”

“There’s two activities in the morning, lunch and then two activities in the afternoon,” he added.

Alzheimer Society of Montreal on Jan. 21, 2025. (Pamela Pagano, CityNews)

The Alzheimer Society of Canada predicts that by 2050, more than 1.7 million people will have dementia in Canada.

Another way to support they say, “connect with your local Society.”

“They can help by supporting by giving a donation of course to all the Alzheimer’s society,” said Jeane Day, Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Montreal. “To support research, and program, and services.”

“They can also support by learning about the disease,” she added. “That’s why we call it awareness month.”

Alzheimer’s is the most common of a large group of disorders known as “dementias.”

The Alzheimer Society of Canada notes that family and friends provide more than 580 million hours of care yearly to people living with dementia — equivalent to 290,000 full-time jobs.

“It’s not easy to be a caregiver for people like me,” said Taylor. “One of the things I think is important is that that’s recognized.”

(Submitted by: Jodi Taylor)

Taylor’s wife is his caregiver — and the Society provides resources to help, from respite programs to guides.

“As you feel that you’re at some change in your behavior and you worry about it,” explained Day. ‘”The sooner you get a good diagnosis, I think the better it is for you to get it.”

“To have some support and some good care.”

A guide in the “Montreal en santé” magazine seen at the Alzheimer Society of Montreal on Jan. 21, 2025. (Pamela Pagano, CityNews)

While Alzheimer’s Awareness Month may stop at the end of January, the Society explains that the experiences of people who live with dementia does not. 

“I’m losing my thoughts for a second again,” said Taylor. “We have to recognize that this is the real important thing that we have to be dealing with.”

“I think we are really fortunate to have this group of people in the background helping us.”

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