Tammy Carmen is proud to be proactive – for herself and her family, her friends and even neighbours she’ll likely never even meet.
A 77-year-old retiree living in Steveston, Carmen recently took part in comprehensive cognitive assessments at Richmond Clinical Trials (RCT).
It was a seamless experience that took little more than an hour, where tests were conducted to assess her memory, her power of recall and her overall mental cognition.
The results were two-fold: Carmen got a better idea of where her cognitive abilities are in real-time while learning more about clinical trials that could fuel tomorrow’s cutting-edge treatments for dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related cognitive conditions.
“My husband had a stroke and then developed dementia, from which he died and so that was a concern of mine,” Carmen says. “I'm not overly worried about myself at the moment but I thought it's better to get a baseline to see where I’m at.”
Improving cognitive health
RCT is the second site of OCT (Okanagan Clinical Trials), which has conducted over 500 trials aimed at advancing research for new treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Through her clinical research, resident neuroscientist Dr. Kim Christie became aware of a growing need for cognitive assessments in our aging population. The clinic’s comprehensive assessments allow individuals to explore the issues or concerns they are currently experiencing.
“The staff were excellent and make you feel really comfortable by explaining what it is that they’re going to do,” Carmen says.
Recent statistics from the Alzheimer Society of Canada underscore the critical nature of the work RCT is undertaking.
* As of Jan. 1, an estimated 771,939 Canadians are living with dementia.
* Every day, more than 414 people in Canada develop dementia – roughly 17 people every hour.
* Nearly one million Canadians could be living with dementia by 2030.
* By 2030, the number of people in Canada living with dementia could increase by 65% compared to 2020.
* More than six million people in Canada will develop, live with and/or ultimately die with dementia between now and 2050.
Client focus areas
As for RCT’s client base, they largely fall into two groups.
The first is older adults, typically over the age of 50, who may be experiencing early signs of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or age-related cognitive decline.
There are also caregivers or family members who are concerned about the health of their loved ones, especially those who might not yet recognize the severity of their cognitive issues.
Through working with RCT, those worries are allayed via early detection and intervention, along with tips around preventative care. RCT’s assessments empower patients to take proactive steps to preserve their memory or address early-stage issues before they turn into more significant concerns.
RCT's memory assessment evaluates whether a participant's memory is typical for their age without diagnosing conditions but if the results are abnormal, the clinical research setting offers a faster route to identifying the underlying issue.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of, there's no judgment and it’s 100% confidential,” Carmen says. “These tests help you see where you stand and whether or not you might be needing help.”
Take a step toward understanding your cognitive health today. Sign up for a simple, confidential assessment with Richmond Clinical Trials and join the effort to improve treatments for dementia and Alzheimer’s. Visit www.richmondclinicaltrials.com to learn more.
