Collections

Price: $8.00

Collections

by Susan Hart

Collections is Susan Hart’s fourth book in her series. Her other books include Through Our Eyes, The Lady from the Centre, and The New Millennium. Collections, is a powerful and riveting book that is the conduit for 16 different caregivers to tell their emotionally charged Alzheimer stories in their own words.

With depth and great understanding, Susan examines the breadth of the Alzheimer's Disease process as it uniquely affects a variety of families in the community. Families invite us into their world as a caregiver and generously and frankly share their insights, expectations, hopes, strengths and the impact of the disease on themselves, their loved ones and society in general.

Collections is an eye-opener of a read. Not only does it give caregivers a voice in the community, but it also educates the community about the disease process. The reader comes to appreciate the incredible changes that families experience and their tenacity. Collections is a book for anyone who has experienced the disease of Alzheimer and the community related disorders personally or professionally.

Alzheimer’s disease is the leading form of progressive dementia, as approximately 65% of all people with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease.

For every person affected by Alzheimer’s disease, 10 to 12 others are directly impacted. These include caregivers such as family members, friends and neighbours; employers and healthcare workers.

Alzheimer’s disease is the seventh leading cause of death in Canada.

Right now, Alzheimer’s affects more than 160,000 Ontarians over the age of 65. By the end of 2009, this number will increase to 184,416. Aging baby boomers and longer life expectancy rates will help fuel the Alzheimer’s crisis.

One in every 11 Canadians over the age of 65 and 1 in every 3 over the age of 85 are living with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder.

Currently, Alzheimer’s disease costs Ontario taxpayers $7 billion a year. Unless changes are made to funding research and developing community services and programs, Alzheimer’s disease will overwhelm Ontario’s health care system.

Within the past 10 years the Alzheimer Society of York Region has contributed more than $625,000 towards research into finding a cause and cure for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.