News Release

Memory Awareness Day – Saturday, November 21, 2009

Due to an overwhelming demand, the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Mental Health and Addictions Program along with the Chatham-Kent Dementia Network will be offering their Fifth Annual Memory Screening Day. Free memory assessments for Chatham-Kent seniors, ages 60 and over will take place on Saturday November 21, 2009.

Experts from the CKHA Mental Health and Addictions Program and the Alzheimer Society will offer memory screenings to promote early detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Each appointment will take approximately fifteen minutes and the results will be kept confidential and sent directly back to participant’s family physician. This type of screening is important for family physicians as it allows them to establish a baseline for future follow-up.

According to Dr. Ranjith Chandrasena, Chief of Psychiatry at CKHA, "One in three people will develop Dementia as they grow older". Dr. Chandrasena states, "The average time between the onset of disease and patient seeing a specialist is about 4 years". He indicates that there are many effective treatments to slow down the process of deterioration and early intervention is important.

The screening day is an opportunity for the public to participate in a screening test involving memory and cognition testing that can identify those at risk for Dementia.  

If you are ill with influenza and/or respiratory illness, please call to cancel your appointment. 

If you or a loved one could benefit from this free screening service, please call (519) 437-6098 to arrange an appointment.

Media Contact:

Melissa Weber
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
Mental Health and Addictions Program
(519) 437-6098