A Glimpse of Life with Dementia

What would you do if one day you had trouble counting change to buy a newspaper, or became disoriented on a familiar route behind the wheel of a car? Would you think it was Alzheimer’s disease?

Jim Mann from Surrey, B.C. was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease when he was just 58 years old, and at the height of his career in communications. Although he’s a seasoned traveler, he started losing his way at familiar airports. And despite being the owner of a thriving business, he found himself covering slips in memory on conference calls.

January is Alzheimer Awareness Month, and throughout the month Jim is sharing these experiences from his personal diary over Twitter to encourage British Columbians to know the warning signs for dementia.

All this month, follow Jim on Twitter at @AlzheimerBC or #injimsshoes and get a glimpse of life for a person living with Alzheimer’s disease.

If you’re concerned for yourself or a loved one or want to learn more about the warning signs, visit the Alzheimer Society of BC’s awareness website, www.letsfaceitbc.ca. Together, let’s face it, BC, because if you’re living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, there is treatment available and there is help.

Alzheimer Society of BC
January 2011