It is a challenging time for the Alzheimer Society of Grey Bruce.
The organization has announced it is facing a $90,000 deficit for this fiscal year which started April 1st.
President Judy Chalmers says in recent years the organization has taken on a number of outreach initiatives.
Chalmers says one of the initiatives includes the First Link Program which encourages referrals to the society from family physicians and other health care professionals.
Chalmers says with the growing services — including additional counsellors — comes the need of more financial assistance.
Chalmers says they did try to apply for additional funding from the Ministry of Health but the application was denied.
Chalmers says if they can’t find additional revenue they may not be able to continue at the level of service they are at now.
Chalmers says they are now turning to the local community for financial support.
Executive Director Deborah Barker says anytime they have asked for financial support, the Grey Bruce community has responded.
Barker is confident the community will again rise to the challenge.
The society will also be working to expand its annual Coffee Break program in September and the Walk for Memories next January.
Chalmers adds they do have money in reserves but it would be gone within the next few years if they have to keep paying off a large deficit.
Across Grey Bruce there are 2,500 individuals age 65 and older who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder.
Barker adds the society knows that as many as 65% of those experiencing memory loss or cognitive impairment have not sought diagnosis.
Therefore, Barker says the true number of those affected exceeds 7,000.
