Société Alzheimer Outaouais opens second office in Galeries d’Aylmer

Sophie Demers

The Société Alzheimer Outaouais (SAO) officially opened their second service point at the Galeries Aylmer on June 6. The organization’s mission is to support and raise awareness among people affected by neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease in the Outaouais region.

Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. It affects the past of the brain that controls thought, memory and language. It is a progressive disease that starts with mild memory loss and leads to the inability to carry on a conversation, respond to environments, or remember loved ones.

"This second Alzheimer Outaouais Society point of service will be able to offer accompaniment and support to hundreds of families living in the western part of the city of Gatineau and the Pontiac MRC, thus facilitating their travel and providing them with local services,” said Anne Villeneuve, General Manager of SAO.

The Alzheimer’s society estimated that ten thousand people in the region are directly or indirectly affected by a neurocognitive disorder like Alzheimer’s. Many of those with the disease require caregivers. According to SAO, for every person living with a major neurocognitive disorder, there are one to three caregivers. This often comes with significant financial and socio-economic impacts on the family. SAO states that 70% caregivers are women.

SAO offers support, information and advice, individual and family meetings, workshops for caregivers, respite, conferences, and support groups.

"It's another step towards serving a greater number of people, and fulfilling the organization's mission. The SAO Board of Directors is relentless in its efforts to deploy services throughout the Outaouais region," says Éric Brousseau, Chairman of the Board. "Opening a second point of service is a major financial decision, but one that is essential for families in our region.”

The first office is located 440 boulevard Maloney Ouest in Gatineau. This new office allows SAO to have a greater reach in the community and be a point of service for those who could not make the drive to Gatineau. The new office is located at 181 Principale, 7B.

“We are here for the community and for people that are touched by neurocognitive disorders. It is a non-judgmental place and we are here to welcome you,” said Caroline Caron, Assistant to the Board of Director for SAO. “We are happy that this location means we can reach a larger portion of the population. Since opening we receive people daily who come to see us for information or support.”

Photo caption: The Société Alzheimer Outaouais’s (SAO) 5 à 7 event to celebrate the opening of their second office on June 6 at the Galeries Aylmer. General Manager Anne Villeneuve speaking.

Photo credit: Société Alzheimer Outaouais (SAO)