Dominique King

Sue Nielsen
Speaker Reporter

This week’s Twenty Questions features an interview with the Timmins-Porcupine District (which takes in Temiskaming) Alzheimer Society Community Development and Awareness Coordinator Dominique King.
1. What is your full name?
Dominique Tammina Cadeau-King.
2. Where were you born?
I was born and raised in Timmins, Ontario. While most of my family migrated to southern Ontario, we always kept our roots in the North.
3. What organization do you represent?
Alzheimer Society of Canada: Timmins-Porcupine District.
4. What is your title?
“Community Development and Awareness Coordinator”, a grant received from Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, Internship Program.
5. What are some of your job duties?
I coordinate special events, improve community awareness through activities such as -- agency and community relations, volunteer recruitment and supports, and resource development for community awareness improvement projects. I also manage media relation and detailed preparation for all events, develop partnerships with businesses, agencies and groups while supporting our charitable goals, create a marketing plan in conjunction with a planned gift and major gift giving campaign
6. What are some of the signs of Alzheimer’s disease?
The Alzheimer Society has developed this list to help us look for warning signs: Memory loss that affects day-to-day function, difficulty performing familiar tasks, problems with language, disorientation of time and place, poor or decreased judgment, problems with abstract thinking, misplacing things, changes in mood and behaviour, changes in personality and loss of initiative.
7. What are some of the myths associated with the disease?
Over the years, many myths have evolved about what Alzheimer’s disease is, who gets it and how it affects people who have it. These myths can add to the stigma attached to the disease and stand in the way of our ability to understand and help people with it.
(A): Because someone in my family has Alzheimer’s disease, I’m going to get it.
(B): Alzheimer’s disease is only an old person’s disease.
(C): There is a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
(D): Memory loss means Alzheimer’s disease.
(E): Aluminum causes Alzheimer’s disease.
(F): Alzheimer’s disease is preventable.
(G): Vitamins, supplements and memory boosters can prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
(H): If I’m diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, my life is over.
(I): All people who have Alzheimer’s disease become violent and aggressive.
(J): People with Alzheimer’s disease cannot understand what is going on around them.
8. Tell us about your upcoming fundraisers?
There will be many fundraisers going on throughout the year, however; the two major events that are taking place in September are Coffee Break and our Krispy Kreme Doughnut Campaign. Coffee Break® is one of the Alzheimer Society’s major nationwide annual fundraiser where friends, co-workers and customers gather in communities across Canada to raise funds for local Alzheimer Societies. Participants at these events make a donation in exchange for a cup of coffee. The money raised stays in that province or community to help support local programs and services. Coffee Break can take place almost anywhere. Large corporations, small businesses, hospitals, schools, service organizations, health-care facilities and private residences are just a few examples of ideal places to host coffee breaks. You can organize an event -- large or small in your community, workplace or home. The 15th annual Alzheimer Coffee Break® will take place from coast-to-coast in September, kicking off on Thursday September 16, but can encompass the whole months of September, October and even into November.
9. How is the Alzheimer Society funded?
The Alzheimer Society of Canada is a national, voluntary, non-profit health charity. Because we are a non- governmental agency we depend on funds raised through donations from individuals and corporations, sponsorships, grants (from government, foundations, faith groups, service clubs and associations). We also receive a significant portion of our revenue from public support, including bequests and in memorials. How do we spend this money? We invest our financial resources in public awareness and education programs, caregiver support and education, and a national research program.
The Alzheimer Society needs your support to keep providing vital services to people with Alzheimer’s disease, their families and caregivers and to continue searching for a cause and cure for Alzheimer’s disease. You can make a difference by donating money, planning a future gift by naming the Society in your will or volunteering.
10. What local programs and services are offered in Temiskaming Shores for those in need?
Even though we are a satellite office, we do offer a wide range of programs and services including:
Public Presentations to service groups, agencies, other support groups, Family Support, Individual Support, Support group for Caregivers, First Link Learning Series. For more information call Irene at 647-2379 or Irene@alzheimertimmins.org
11. Is Alzheimer’s on the increase?
Unfortunately Alzheimer’s disease has been on the rise since it was discovered in 1906. Today, half a million Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Approximately 71,000 of them are under age 65. If nothing changes, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia is expected to more than double, reaching 1.1 million Canadians within 25 years.
12. Can drugs help patients with Alzheimer’s?
There are several medications available that can help with symptoms such as decline in memory, language, thinking abilities and motor skills. Although there is currently no cure for the disease, those who respond to medication can experience improvements in their quality of life that may last for several years. People respond differently to treatments and not everyone will respond to these medications.
13. Is there a cure?
No, unfortunately there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and no treatment that will stop its progression. However, several medications are available that can help with some symptoms. These medications can slow down the decline of memory, language and thinking abilities.
14. What’s the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s?
Along with the myths listed above, I believe this to be another common belief. There is no difference between Alzheimer and dementia because Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia. It is the most common form of dementia accounting for 64 percent of all dementias in Canada.
15. Describe Alzheimer’s disease to someone who has never heard about it?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, which causes thinking and memory to become seriously impaired. The features of Alzheimer’s disease include a gradual onset and continuing decline of memory, as well as changes in judgment or reasoning, and the inability to perform familiar tasks.
16. Where can people get help if they know someone who has never heard about it?
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease can be a complex task. It can be frustrating, confusing, emotionally draining and physically exhausting. Every community has agencies and services that can help you. By phoning our local Public Education Coordinator, Irene Chitaroni, you can find out more information on services that are available in our area.
17. What inspires Dominique King?
Coming from a family with a long history of a neurological disease, I realize the importance of the philanthropy and charitable giving. Working in the volunteer sector, I have had the opportunity to watch how these contributions from individuals, corporations and fundraisers affect the lives of individuals and their families so positively. It gives me a real sense of accomplishment and hope for the future; this really inspires me to help make a difference.
18. What are you grateful for in your life?
I am grateful for many things in life. Faith, health, love, great friends, memories and most of all my family. Life can be difficult at times and during those times we may need a support system. The best support you can get is an unconditional bond from your family.
19. Any hobbies?
I absolutely love travelling, reading, painting and hiking.
20. Do you think there will ever be a cure for Alzheimer’s disease?
We live in an age of medical breakthroughs and as long as we continue to receive financial supports from donors, our research will bring us closer to a cure in each new year. Studies show that we are getting closer; breakthroughs -- such as vaccines, new drugs and treatments, new diagnostic tools -- are on the horizon. Researchers are more hopeful than ever before. If you would like to be involved in any of our events or to make a donation, please contact: Dominique King Community Development and Awareness Coordinator Alzheimer Society: Timmins-Porcupine District, New Liskeard Satellite Office, or telephone (705) 948-2883, Fax (705) 647-1096 Dominique@alzheimertimmins.org