A group with a strong, emotional common bond has been meeting on Bowen for some time now. They are family, friends and caregivers of loved ones who suffer from dementia. Dementia is on the rise and growing due to an aging seniors population and the baby boomer generation being on the edge of retirement. It is now essential that people learn about the disease and how it affects so many family members, friends and co-workers.
On Saturday, September 17 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Cates Hill Chapel, a screening of the film version of the play I'm Still Here will take place. The script is a researched-based piece of writing that captures the dementia journey from the perspective of persons living with dementia and their families and friends.
Playwright Vrenia Ivonoffski wrote the play based on findings from research conducted with people living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia and daughters whose mothers were diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.
Jay Routledge, a resident of Bowen Island and a member of the group who is bringing the film to Bowen says, "Dementia has a very scary reputation. The more we learn about it as a community, the better able we are to support people with this condition and their families. I hope that through this presentation, people will be able to better access the resources they need when they need them."
After the video screening of I'm Still Here, a question-and-answer period will take place with health care providers and a person living with dementia.
The panel of experts includes representative from the Alzheimer Society of B.C.; Kathryn Bowen-Roberts, a geriatric mental health nurse from Vancouver Coastal Health; Cindy Bouvet, coordinator of North Shore Family Caregiver Support Project; Michelle Fleming, coordinator of Social Services Inglewood Care; and Lynn Jackson, a person with dementia.
This group of experienced individuals will guide the audience through questions and concerns they may have around the world of dementia.
Bowen resident Suzanne Allan cares for a family member with dementia. She describes the film as being very relevant. "It's from various perspectives," says Allan, "and it helped me get inside the head of someone with dementia. It leads to greater compassion."
"Our goal," says Jay Routledge, "is to raise community awareness around this issue. The film is very moving and helpful. It explores many issues that come up around dementia and it is also offers insight and hope."
Hope is also offered on a regular basis through the support group that meets at Cates Hill Chapel on the third Thursday of every month at 7:30 p.m. Anyone is welcome to join the group and share their worries, concerns, fears and sadness over loving and caring for someone who lives with dementia.
The videotaped version of the play I'm Still Here is a free event and no registration is required.
