In loving memory of Norma E. Blizzard-Inniss — Pharmacist, Soroptimist, and Founder President of the Alzheimer’s Association of Trinidad & Tobago.

​

This forum page serves as a space for colleagues, friends, and loved ones to share condolences, memories, and heartfelt tributes as we honor her remarkable life, service, and lasting impact on healthcare and the community.

​

The Pharmacist.

Norma Blizzard-Inniss is a pharmacist whose career began in 1953. In 1988 she was appointed Principal Pharmacist and she held that position until her retirement in 1992. In 1988 she was the recipient of a PAHO Fellowship to the Management Sciences for Health in Boston USA.

As a member of Council, Academic and other committees of the Pharmacy Board of Trinidad and Tobago, Executive member of the Caribbean Association of Pharmacists and Councillor for Trinidad and Tobago on the Commonwealth Association of Pharmacists she made valuable contributions to the profession of Pharmacy.

​

The Soroptimist.

Norma Blizzard Inniss was inducted into the Soroptimist International Club of Port of Spain in September 1992. Acknowledging the Aims and Objects of Soroptimism particularly clause #2 which states in part “to strive for human rights for all” she produced a brochure on “Care of the elderly” which was launched on 1 October 1993 in observance of Internal Day of the Elderly. It has been widely distributed at Soroptimist International, Federation, Caribbean, Pharmacy Conferences and locally at Health Fairs.

​

Presidency of Alzheimer’s Association.

Founder President of the Alzheimer’s Association served as President from inception until 2016.

The Alzheimer’s Disease programme started in 1996 as her President’s project with the Seminar entitled ‘” Alzheimer’s Disease: The Affected Person and the Caregiver.” Following which Support Groups were formed. These persons became the core group of the Alzheimer’s Association of Trinidad and Tobago which was registered a Non-Profit Organisation on 16 June 2000.It was the first time that an NGO project in Trinidad and Tobago was known to grow in to a National Association and be admitted to an International Organisation. At that time the Association became the only English speaking Association in the Latin America Region.

​

The Association became a full member of Alzheimer’s Disease International in 2004.  ADI is the International Federation of Alzheimer Associations around the world, in official relations with the World. ADI’s vision is an improved quality of life for people with dementia and their families throughout the world.

​

Since then Mrs. Inniss has brought about a greater awareness because of the many education seminars and outreach programmes held throughout the country, particularly during World Alzheimer’s Day is observed each year on 21 September. This is an international campaign to raise awareness and challenge dementia/ stigma. Each year, more and more countries are participating in activities and in many areas dementia awareness is growing.   

The vision of the Association is a life of dignity, acceptance, support and security.

Its mission is to respect the persons with dementia and their caregivers and improve their quality of life through support, information education, and research.                         

In 2003 a partnership was formed with the Alzheimer Society of Canada which was formalized in 2006 with the ADI Twinning programme. In 2005 Mrs. Inniss was elected to the ADI Elected Board for the period 2005-2009 at the end of which she was re-elected for another three-year period 2009-2012.In May 2008 the Twin partners Mrs. Debbie Benczkowski and Mrs. Inniss gave a presentation at the First World Summit and Symposium on Eldercare Mediation in Ottawa, Canada. She has used the experience gained at these conferences to work at educating the members of the Association, church groups, other organisations, the public and families who have relatives with the disease to make them more knowledgeable and be able to cope.

As the ageing population is increasing here in Trinidad and Tobago it appears that more families are recognizing that their relatives are developing the disease or have some form of dementia. Now the prevalence of the disease is not fully known.

 The public is now more knowledge about the disease and no longer unwilling to let others know their situation but come to the Support Group meetings, attend the seminars held and many groups and organisations request the Association to have a booth at their Health Fairs around Trinidad and Tobago.

In August 2013, on the invitation of Dr. Raymond Jessurum, Mrs. Inniss attended an ADI workshop in St Maarteen coming out of which the Caribbean Dementia Newsletter Committee was formed. Members were: Bermuda Judy- Kay Darrel, Jamaica Zadha Tulloch, Trinidad and Tobago Norma Inniss and St. Maarteen Dr. Raymond Jessrurum. More countries have since joined and discussions were held with the objective of forming a Non-Latin Caribbean ADI group.

The Alzheimer’s Association of Trinidad and Tobago was very pleased to be able to host the 4th Caribbean Conference from 5 -10 June 2017

At the end of this Conference the Alzheimer’s Association of the Caribbean (AAC) was officially established.