6 Health Thursday, January 13, 2011 January is ALZHEIMER Awareness Month Family Practice & Walk-in Clinic Medical Centre Now Open Dr. Seema Chowdry C Dr. Shaista S i Amin Memories for tomorrow Upon losing his or her car keys, has your spouse ever joked, "I must be getting old!"? It certainly is frustrating to misplace everyday objects or forget our train of thought halfway through a sentence, but there is a big difference between normal memory slip-ups and age-related dementia. According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, the number of people living with this condition will double over the next 30 years. It's estimated that the cost burden of dementia will increase from $15 billion in 2008 to $153 billion in 2038. In terms of health care, the problem will overwhelm our society economically and socially, as families struggle to deal with affected parents. Every five minutes someone in Canada develops dementia, which can be delayed through early intervention and preventative care. In January, Alzheimer Awareness Month, Canadians and their governments are invited to increase their awareness of age-related mental deterioration and the rising numbers of people afflicted by it. The average Canadian can reduce his or her risk by: Being socially active Making healthy food choices Being physically active Reducing stress Using protective headgear when doing sports or taking part in outdoor winter activities · Challenging their minds with new tasks at every age · Avoiding harmful habits such as smoking or excessive alcohol consumption · Getting adequate sleep · Seeing their doctors regularly By being proactive in your brain and body health today, you increase your chances of a long and healthy life. · · · · · Female/male physicians accepting new patients. New and Walk-In patients welcome. Tel: 905-877-2220 n Alpha e p O w No Fast & Friendly Service Care Pharmacy ·No $2.00 Co-pay · All Drug Plans Accepted · Free Delivery · Free Glucose Monitor · Specialty Compounding Tel: 905-702-1500 Georgetown Market Place - 310 Guelph St., Unit 1 & 2 (beside Pizza Hut & Baker's Dozen) Dementia is a serious age-related mental deterioration. A Royal Flush Beats A Full House! Power Flushing Pumping of: Holding Tanks · Septic Tanks · Aerobic Tanks Boucher & Sons Aluminum Ltd. ·FREE ESTIMATES· · Windows · Doors · Aluminum 26 Guelph Street, Georgetown 519-833-9180 519-855-9940 Toll free 1-877-232-0229 R.R.2, Conc. 8, Georgetown P.O. BOX 709, ERIN, ON 905-877-8830 905-877-9896 905-877-1666 That's What We Do Best! GEORGETOWN DENTURE CLINIC 18 Church Street Accredited by: R.R. 2, Guelph 519-856-4622 Ontario Retirement Communities Association Maximum Accreditation Awarded 2007 - 2009 Member of OLTCA Ontario Long Term Care Facilities Accreditation Canada Maximum Accreditation Awarded 2007 - 2010 905-877-2359 Alexander Trenton, D.D., F.C.A.D. (A) www.edenhousecarehome.ca