Alzheimer's breakfast set for Cape Breton

The Alzheimer's Society ofNova Scotiais setting its sights on a creating dementia-friendly community.

That will be the focus of the Alzheimer's Research Breakfast to beheld in Membertou in January.

Business people are being encouraged to attend in the hopethey will educate their staff to be more understanding toward customers withdementia.

The education and outreach co-ordinator for the Alzheimer's Society in Cape Breton, Catherine Shepherd, saidbusinesses can go a long way in helping those suffering with dementia.

"They can have a quality-filled life," she said. "They can go to supper without feeling the stigma, if it takes them a bit longer. They can go to the grocery store and not have to worry if they need a little bit of extra help. Theyare still supported."

Deanna Harvey-Green works withthe Victorian Order of Nurses as a community support worker. She saidshe saw the stigma attached todementia while caring for her own mother.

"Everybody tends to shy away and some people lose friends and relatives because they don't know how to talk to someone who has Alzheimer's," she said. "But I didn't want to treat her any different. We adjusted some things, but she was still my Mom."

Harvey-Green will speak at the breakfast event.

She will be joined by dementia and Alzheimer's care expert Teepa Snow, along withlocal business owner Chris Robertson.