Alzheimer group gets boost

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

This is the fifth in a monthly series featuring the charities and nonprofits recognized by Penticton’s 100 Women Who Care. Four times a year, the group meets to award three local charities a monetary grant.

The Alzheimer Society of BC offers its many services in part because of generous donations from the community.

In June it, along with Citizens on Patrol and the Penticton Art Gallery, received a boost from 100 Women Who Care.

"It was absolutely wonderful, because we rely heavily on donations from individuals and the community," said Laurie Myres, support and education coordinator for First Link.

Donations for the three included $500 for the society and art gallery and $3,450 for Citizens on Patrol.

The society became a registered society in 1981 in the Lower Mainland and has had a presence in the South Okanagan since 1991.

It offers services to two different populations. The first being individuals with a diagnosis who are experiencing memory issues personally.

The second being the people who want to partner and support individuals with the diagnosis.

"That would be caregivers, or as we call them now, care partners," said Myres.

For both populations, they provide education and support groups, one on one meetings with people newly diagnosed and also support for families who are seeking information and support.

There is help for people wanting to hone their advocacy skills and their small resource centre houses a lot of information that people can drop in and see.

People can drop in from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Thursday. They can also make appointments.

The society is located at 35 Westminster Ave. E. in Penticton.