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Course Description

In this first-hand account, Michael Imort and his wife Cathie relate how young-onset Alzheimer’s knocked on their door in the middle of Michael’s ’best years.’ Michael will describe how he grapples with the disease at such a young age and how it has fundamentally changed his outlook on life - for the better. Cathie will explore her steep learning curve, sharing insights she gained into the paramount role of modifiable risk factors in the delay of Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s has a timeline of roughly 20 years from the first subtle brain changes to the terminal stage. Most patients are not diagnosed with Alzheimer's - or its precursor of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) - during the first ten or so years. Yet, as recent research has shown, this is a critical period where one can still make lifestyle changes to slow the progression of the disease. Cathie will share a wealth of resources that can help the audience take preventive action in their own lives.

Ultimately, their message is one of hope: it is never too early or too late to take action against Alzheimer’s.

Instructor

Since the year 2000, Michael Imort has been an Associate Professor of Cultural and Historical Geography in Laurier' Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. When he was diagnosed with a progressive neurodegenerative condition in 2023, he and his wife Cathie were hurled into a new stage of life from one day to the next. As they try to make sense of Michael's new reality of cognitive decline, they experience every emotion from heart-wrenching grief to belly-shaking humour. Together, they want to spread the message (exemplified by the comprehensive Lancet Report on Dementia Prevention and Intervention released on July 31) that Alzheimer's and similar conditions can be delayed or even prevented through simple lifestyle and health changes.

Location

Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, Community Pavilion (101 Father David Bauer Drive, Waterloo, ON)

  • Parking is free.
  • Download the facility map (PDF) to find facilities and parking lots.
  • Check Grand River Transit for public transit locations, times and fees

Notes

  • Lecture Time :  200-330 pm
  • Lecture Cost:  $16.00 + HST
  • Participants must register before the day of the lecture.
  • Laurier’s online registration system accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Visa Debit, and MasterCard Debit.
  • You will only be able to purchase 1 seat at the time of registration. If looking to register more than 1 person, each registrant will require their own account to complete the registration.
  • Lectures are non-refundable

Contact

Please email lall@wlu.ca with any questions

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