The New Westminster chapter of the 2024 Walk for Alzheimer's is set for May 26.
Today, March 17, however, marked the final day of Brain Awareness Week by the Alzheimer Society of BC, encouraging residents to get up and move to help lower the risks of developing dementia.
The organization said, in a statement, regular physical activity will lower those chances.
"People who exercise regularly are less likely to develop heart disease, stroke and diabetes – all risks associated with dementia," said Society spokesperson Dr. Sarah Wu.
"Research also shows that socializing regularly may help reduce your risk of developing dementia, so it only makes sense to increase the brain benefits by getting active and in a group setting whenever you can."
Following a healthy diet, managing stress as well as avoiding smoking and excess alcohol consumption also help lower the risk, the society explained, noting daily brain activities can help the cause.
Minds in Motion, a program offered by the Alzheimer Society of BC that includes interactive team games, is set to benefit from this year's Walk.
New West's event on May 26, a shared fundraiser taking place by the south pond in Burnaby's Central Park starting at 10 a.m., is one of 20 in the province that will witness hundreds that support or have a connection to someone who lives with the disease.
For more information, to donate or register for the Walk for Alzheimer's, you can visit the event's website or send an email to [email protected].
According to the society's website, two out of three British Columbians have a connection to dementia.
Symptoms of the disease include:
- loss of memory
- impaired judgment
- changes in behaviour and personality
While there's no current fundraising goal for this year, nearly $60 million has been collected and invested since 1989 for biomedical and quality-of-life research through the Alzheimer Society Research Program, as well as helping the society deliver programs and services.
