‘It’s never too late’: Alzheimer’s Society of N.B. working to ensure no one feels forgotten

The Alzheimer’s Society of New Brunswick helps families navigate the unknown.

Brianna Burns says there’s a common myth when it comes to dementia: people can’t form new memories.

Not only is it not true, she says new experiences can be incredibly helpful for an individual’s journey.

“I think about my grandmother. She used to love records when she was younger, and she’s living with dementia now,” she said. “So, I told my father, I said, you should totally bring in these records book for her so she can start to enjoy something that she used to love.”

About 12,000 people in New Brunswick live with dementia.

It can be a devastating diagnosis, but the Alzheimer’s Society of N.B.’s executive director says they provide many supports that can make a big difference.

“There are some people who the journey is awful at every stage of the disease, and we understand that. We meet those individuals where they are. But there can be joy in a diagnosis of dementia. There can be little moments of humor. There can be moments of learning,” Chandra MacBean said.

MacBean took CTV News through their Fredericton office, where they’ve made changes to ensure it’s completely dementia friendly.

There’s bright yellow and black signage throughout. Each sign includes the written word and an illustration of the word.

Because depth perception and ability to see colour can be lost, simple changes, like a different coloured toilet seat, or a brightly coloured plate, can go a long way in maintaining a person’s independence.

Burns says yellow is psychologically proven to be the last colour that a person living with dementia loses.

In the bathroom, you’ll find a blind that can be pulled over the mirror.

MacBean says that stems from a daughter who was learning how to take care of her mother who lives with dementia.

“Her mom had had a couple of bladder infections and had actually been hospitalized with a kidney infection. And her immediate reaction was, ‘Oh my gosh, I don’t know what I’m doing. Like, I can’t do this. I’m doing everything wrong,’” MacBean recalled.

When they discussed the situation further, the daughter discovered what was actually happening.

“This woman had been walking into the bathroom, seeing a reflection she did not recognize, holding her bladder and leaving the bathroom thinking there was someone else in the bathroom,” MacBean said.

So, the daughter placed a towel over the mirror.

The society held open houses Wednesday at their offices across the province to share some of those simple changes and connect people who are touched by the disease.

“If anyone is out there saying, ‘Should I call the Alzheimer’s Society? My loved one has a diagnosis of dementia. Is this the right time?’” she said. “The answer is always yes. It’s never too late. It’s never too early.”

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