26 — Sunday, March 7. 1999 — North Shore News north shore news _ / is pleased to announce the opening of his new Dental practice at 1272 Marine Drive (Pemberton Plaza) 980-7581 Mon-Sat. by appointinent Service in English, Afrikaans, Russian & Japanese New patients welcome AN RE NEWS photo Terry Peters 2DENKA Berka instructs a group of people taking part in a fitness class held at the Margaret Fulton adult day care centre in North Vancouver. Anna Marie D’Angele News Reporter dangelo@nsnews.com TAKING care of 2 family member who has Alzheimer disease can be a draining expe- rience for 2 loved one. North Vancouver resident Carol Wilmot looked after her ill mother‘on a daily basis for about four vears at home. Wilmot’s mether died from Alzhcimer disease a year ago at age 57. “It was a huge decline,” said Wilmot. “It was always difficult.” Wilmot is a licensed prac- tical nurse. She took care of her mother during the day. In the evenings Wilmot’s father would take over. Wilmot said her mother exhibited signs of the disease for seven years. “This disease not only ravages the person that has the disease, but it quite liter- ally tears the family apart,” said Wilmot. She said the most hurtful day was when her mother didn’t know her any more. Wilmot’s mother was in a care facility for two months before she died. North Vancouver resident Bunty Irlam said her husband probably had Alzhcimer dis- ease for 10 years. : She took care of her hus- band as his health rapidly declined over a two-year period because of the dis- ease. Irlam’s husband went into a care facilicy for 16 months before he died in 1995 at age “When he was at home and knew he was not well, he didn’t understand what was happening to him,” said Irlam. Irlam felt she was luckier than some caregivers because she had support from her Care centre offers a respite to these coping with Alzheimer’s family during her husband’s iNness. After her husband died of Alzheimer disease, Irlam decided to voluntcer at Margaret Fulton adult day care centre in North Van. The centre which is locat- ed in the 1000-block of St. Georges Avenue offers activi- ties for people with medical conditions that includes Alzheimer disease. Caregivers are given a break while their loved ones attend the adult day care cen- tre. Wilmot’s mother went to the adult day care centre sometimes a couple of days a week, “If someone is going to care for their loved one at home for as long as they can, they need some respite help,” SLs, said Wilmot. She said caregivers will burn out and have emotional problems if they don’t get elp. According to Alzheimer Society of B.C.: @ cvery person who has Alzheimer’s will be cared for is exhausting by at least one other person, a spouse, child, grandchild, sibling, friend or Realth pro- fessional; & = most women; @ the number of hours of direct care for unpaid (fami- ly) caregivers increases as the severity of the disease increases; 43,700 British Columbians have Alzheimer disease or a related dementia. caregivers are DR. BART McROBERTS DR. DEBRA ROVINELU DR. CORINNE KNIGHT DR. NANCY HARDIN | WEST VANCOUVER OPTOMETRY CLINIC 925-2525 1069 24th Street (24th & Haywood) lay and evening appointments available. The North Shore Natural Health Centre welcomes Dr. Han Liao to our team of practitioners With Dr. Liao's advanced training and years of experience, he provides effective, natural treatments for: back pain, arthritis, migraines, digestive disorders, respiratory prablems, skin disorders, pms, impotence, insomnia, depression and other health concerns. Cali for an appointment 986-2426 | Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine 156 W. 3rd St., North Vancouver GINSENG BUY ONE - GET ONE FREE Westview B Shopping Centre 980-0933 BCTEL For thousands of years traditional Chinese Medicine nas used Korean Red Ginseng for both mental and physicai stimulation. A classic adaptogen, Oraanika’'s® Korean Ked Ginseng is a six year old root source of ‘Heaven Grade’ quality. E.B. EDDVPAPEE 44 Mobility Professional Photographers Association of British Colambia