NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE Alariss Schmid, regional lead Medicine Hat for the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, talks with Roger Marple in the organization's local office.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
Since publicly revealing that he’d been diagnosed with dementia, a local resident says his life is richer than he could have imagined.
“I have a rich, full life,” said Roger Marple, who revealed his diagnosis in the News in 2016 when he was just 58. “I’m constantly engaged. If you want to sink real fast with dementia, do nothing.”
His personal story and approach to life has attracted international attention and he is frequently a speaker at events across Canada.
Marple’s first symptoms of dementia started in about 2013. A diagnosis after numerous tests still came as a shock, but he decided it would not be the end of his life.
Marple has been active within the Alzheimer’s Society and made it a personal goal to see the stigma of the disease removed. He has raised awareness of the hurt that careless remarks and jokes about dementia have. He has worked to see the end of dementia jokes on Facebook, which he says were common in 2016.
“Now, I can count maybe five times in the last year. If someone does post one it is likely to be challenged,” said Marple.
He is the first to mention the challenges he faces with dementia but he employs tips and tools to overcome them as best he can. Vocal prompts on his computer are key to reminding him of things to do, and appointments to keep.
Shopping lists, which were great for remembering what to buy in the supermarket, became a problem when he’d forget that it was an “old” shopping list. His rule now is that when he finds the last item on the list, the list is disposed of immediately, before he leaves the store.
He says tasks take longer than they used to and those trips across the country for speaking engagements can be exhausting.
“So what,” said Marple.
Four years ago Marple talked about the importance of getting a professional diagnosis as early as possible.
“If you don’t take the first step … you can’t see where you’re going,” said Marple.
Alariss Schmid, regional lead Medicine Hat for the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, says after a professional diagnosis you are presented with a range of opportunities. This can include coping strategies and tools plus options to get involved and be part of initiatives and studies.
A diagnosis will also rule out other possible illnesses that should be treated early.
Marple has been advising on technology tools to assist those with dementia. He’s on an advisory board and was part of a study regarding pets and people with dementia.
When his aging cat passed away, at first he did not want to know about another. Over time he sourced a cat that had been abused and had been waiting for adoption for eight months. He says there was an immediate connection with Bernie.
When Marple was first diagnosed he was still working full time thanks to an agreement with his employer. He has now been collaborating on features about the employee and employer relationship when dementia is diagnosed.
Schmid said it is a recognized fact that there will be more and more people living with dementia and still working. One of the three focuses for the Alzheimer’s Society is to prepare information and training for employers.
Medical research studies that Marple has participated in did not result in any positive change.
He urges the federal government to follow through with its national dementia strategy and step up funding for medical research. Statistics predict a dramatic increase moving forward in the number of Canadians with dementia and we need to step up research to address this.
