In 2019, Lawrence and Camela Tang celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a party in Nanaimo. Six years earlier, Lawrence retired from a career as a plastic surgeon after taking time away to fight stage four cancer. After a challenging decade, the couple decided to further commemorate the milestone by enjoying time with family and friends while travelling around the world.
It was during their travels that Camela first noticed changes in Lawrence. He seemed exhausted, especially after doing anything physically demanding. This was unusual for Lawrence, who used to spend hours in the gym and was an accomplished dragon boater. Sometimes he couldn’t remember where they were.
Camela and Lawrence made it home to Canada just before the pandemic in 2020. Isolation made the changes impossible to ignore. After letting their sons know about their dad’s difficulties, Camela connected with their family doctor, who referred them to a geriatric specialist who diagnosed Lawrence with Alzheimer’s disease.
January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, an opportunity for people to have conversations about dementia. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is recognizing Alzheimer’s Awareness Month by sharing the experiences of people like Lawrence and Camela Tang, who have found meaning, connection and joy after a dementia diagnosis.
“Because of what I learned through the Alzheimer Society of B.C., I respond to challenging behaviours differently and by saying, ‘Oh, that’s Alzheimer’s disease; it’s not you,’” Camela says.
Camela has learned to accept Alzheimer’s disease and embrace help and support. She hopes other caregivers learn to do the same.
As for Lawrence, he takes each day as it comes and while he hasn’t quite accepted Alzheimer’s disease, he has learned to tolerate it. So far, he’s kept the promise he made to Camela on the day he was diagnosed.
“We walked out of the doctor’s office and sat down on a bench and Lawrence said, ‘I promise I won’t lose my sense of humour,’” Camela says. “And so far, he hasn’t.”
Take part
In January, caregivers and people living with dementia will explore this year’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Month theme by sharing their unique journeys living with the disease in two virtual panel discussions. Participants will learn how the Alzheimer Society of B.C. listened to families' needs and guided them to programs, resources and education that were right for them.
- Lived experience: Different roadmaps for dementia on Jan. 15 from 2 to 30 p.m. PT
- Lived experience: Different roadmaps for caregiving on Jan. 22 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. PT.
Find support
If you have questions about Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, call the Alzheimer Society of B.C.'s First Link® Dementia Helpline for information and support (toll-free in B.C. only):
- English: 1-800-936-6033 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Cantonese and Mandarin: 1-833-674-5007 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu: 1-833-674-5003 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)