January 28, 2007 - 4:00pm
They braved the bitter cold to raise awareness about a disease that has inflicted one of their own.
Fifteen students in Malaspina University-College’s Home Support/Resident Care Attendant program, and faculty and staff from Health and Human Services, participated in the Investor’s Group Walk for Memories in Bowen Park January 28, in honour of former Malaspina employee Sharon Dunnigan.
The annual event raises awareness and funds to support people impacted by Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Each year, the Alzheimer Society dedicates the walk to an outstanding community member afflicted with the disease.
Dunnigan taught at Malaspina for years, and became an important leader in the establishment of new programs in Health and Human Services. Due to the undiagnosed effects of Alzheimer’s disease, she took early retirement in 1992, although was not diagnosed until 1999.
Students in Malaspina’s Home Support/Resident Care Attendant program, plus two instructors, Judi Bledsoe and Marie Legault, volunteered as route marshals during the fundraising walk.
“Our students really wanted to participate in this important event,” said Bledsoe. “In their course work, they often deal with people with dementia. We thought this was a great opportunity to help the Alzheimer Society and the Dunnigan family raise awareness and honour Sharon’s work, commitment and contribution to Malaspina.”
Dunnigan currently lives in Nanaimo’s Senior’s Village, where she receives care from some Malaspina graduates of the programs she helped establish.
“I know the Dunnigan family was extremely touched to see so much support from Malaspina students, faculty and staff at Sunday’s walk,” said Jane Hope, Support and Education Coordinator for the Alzheimer Society of BC for the North and Central Vancouver Island region.
“The student volunteers did a wonderful job. Marshalling is one of the more difficult jobs at an event like this, especially because it was so cold outside. The students literally showed up en masse and didn’t complain. We’re very grateful for their assistance.”
Instructors and staff from Malaspina’s Health and Human Services faculty also participated in the walk in honour of Dunnigan’s contribution to Malaspina, joining about 200 other walkers to help raise over $30,000 for the Alzheimer Society, surpassing its $25,000 goal.
Funds raised will help ensure that people whose lives have been impacted by Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can connect to a community of information, services and support, said Hope. Funds also go towards research to search for the causes and a cure.
“One in four Canadians currently has someone in their family with this disease,” Hope added. “The Alzheimer Society is committed to supporting the families and friends whose loved ones have been diagnosed, and the Walk is a big piece that enables us to do that work.”
Malaspina student volunteers will graduate from their six-month Home Support/Resident Care Attendant program in February, and Bledsoe predicts most, if not all, will find immediate employment in residential care facilities, private care homes, with Home Support or in group homes.
“The Vancouver Island Health Authority has concerns about shortages in community health care occupations,” she said. “The need for home care workers is desperate. Seniors can’t find the help they need. There’s lots of work out there.”
Malaspina’s Home Support/Resident Care Attendant program enrols up to 32 students twice a year, at the Nanaimo campus. The next intake is February 12. The program is also offered at the Cowichan campus in September, and at the Powell River campus in October. For more information, call Bledsoe at (250) 740-6266.
The Alzheimer Society also partners with Malaspina’s Centre for Continuing Studies to provide a dementia education course for caregivers called “The Family Caregiver Series.” The program starts at Malaspina’s Parksville Campus on Feb. 24. For information about the series, go to http://www.viu.ca/familycare.
Tags: In the Community
