Services continue but donations down substantially for Alzheimer Society

Services have continued during the COVID-19 pandemic though they have done so in a modified way

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NEWS RELEASE
ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF SAULT STE. MARIE AND ALGOMA DISTRICT
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The Alzheimer Society of Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma District office still remains closed to the public, but the need for support services and especially donations has continued. The staff continue to work from home and to provide essential services, virtually such as Family Support & Counselling, Cognitive Assessments, Education, and Recreation Therapy. All of these services have been adapted to provide weekly, bi-weekly and in some cases monthly supports by telephone calls, video sessions and individual activity kits.

These services have been shown to improve the quality of life of people living with a dementia and their caregivers and can help delay admittance into a Long-Term Care Facility by a few years.

Although services have continued in a modified way, throughout the pandemic, the general donations such as In Memoriam donations for example and fundraising events have been significantly impacted.

The local Alzheimer Society is fortunate to receive funding from the Provincial Government, being partially funded but relies on generosity of our community to help meet needs. The local Society is expected to fundraise 45 per cent of the operational budget, which amounts to over $400,000 a year for these front line services.

We are more than grateful for the donations that we have received during the pandemic but donations and funds raised by fundraising events that were adapted, have seen a 67 per cent decrease in April, and an 82 per cent decrease in May.

It’s understandable that donations are down because of COVID-19. There has been so much uncertainty that has affected employment, businesses, and individuals, and it is difficult to ask for donations at this time, but if you have the ability to support events or make a donation by visiting https://alzheimer.ca/en/algoma or calling the local office at 705-942-2195 you would be contributing to the well-being of persons living with dementia and their caregivers in your community. All funds remain local with the exception of an annual donation to research to help find a cure.

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