It’s time for understanding. That’s why we’re turning the conversation over to the experts – the people who are living it every day. We’re challenging misconceptions so that the stigma surrounding the disease can be reduced. So, thank you. Thank you for taking a moment to hear their stories.

Stories from people like Arlene Sinclair. She wants to spread the word about the Alzheimer Society to others in her community whose family members are getting older. Click here to read Arlene’s story and for further information and caregiving tips in our January eNews.

Read more stories from Manitobans below and find out what happening during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month this January. Follow us on Facebook for other highlights and videos throughout the month.

Index

Read their Stories – including the four Manitobans pictured above
January’s Education Sessions
Dementia and the Arts Around Manitoba
Become Involved in the Community with Minds in Motion®
How Do You Perceive Dementia? Take the Quiz
Charter of Rights for People with Dementia
Help Create Dementia Friendly Communities
Let Us Help You Understand
Tips on How to Live Well with Dementia
Don’t Face this Alone
About the Alzheimer Society
Get Involved
Follow us on Facebook

Read their Stories

Take a moment to learn what it’s like to live with dementia. Below are links to stories of six Manitobans who have come across dementia in some way: one has been diagnosed with the disease and five are caregivers.

Kerri
Glen
Mary
Gavin
Tara
Marlene

Click here to read more stories about other Canadians living with dementia.

Join us for January’s Education Sessions

CARING FOR A FAMILY MEMBER WITH DEMENTIA – FLIN FLON, MB

Topics discussed will include communication skills, asking for help and caregiver self care.

MONDAY JANUARY 14, 7 – 8:30 pm
50 Church St., Flin Flon, MB
Presented by: Norma Kirkby, PHEc, Program Director, Alzheimer Society of Manitoba

For more information please email alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca or call 1-800-378-6699.

CAREGIVER GUILT AND STRESS: MOVING FROM IDEAL TO REAL

Care partners may experience stress and feelings of guilt as a result of caregiving. Much of the guilt care partners feel is due to the vast difference between their expectations and reality (what they think they should do and feel, and what they actually can do and feel). Learn strategies for understanding and accepting your limitations as care partners and explore ways of building your inner strengths.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 7 – 8:30 pm
Heritage Room at Lindenwood Manor – 475 Lindenwood Dr. E. (Heritage Entrance)
Presented by: Lois Litz, Director of Spiritual Care Lindenwood Manor

Email alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca or call 204-943-6622.

Click here to register online.

DEMENTIA: WE ALL HAVE A REASON TO CARE

Topics discussed will include dementia defined, reducing your risk and being a Dementia Friendly Community.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 7 – 8:30 pm
50 Church St., Flin Flon, MB
Presented by: Norma Kirkby, PHEc, Program Director, Alzheimer Society of Manitoba

For more information please email alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca or call 1-800-378-6699.

LIVING WITH DEMENTIA: FIRST STEPS PART ONE

An information and experiential workshop for people supporting a person recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 9 am – 12 pm
River Ridge II Retirement Residence, 2701 Scotia St.
Cost is $10 – Refreshments and resources are included

Email alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca or call 204-943-6622.

Click here to register online.

Dementia and the Arts Around Manitoba

VIVACE VOICES CHOIR
Vivace Voices is a community music therapy choir for persons with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias and their care partners. Both persons are equal participants as singers in the choir.

The choir also invites singers who are studying in the music therapy program at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) to participate.

Tuesday, January 28 to Monday, April 15 (no class February 18)
6:30 to 7:30 pm
CMU, 600 Shaftesbury Blvd.
$125 per pair

To register, contact the Community School of Music at csma@cmu.ca or 204-487-3300 ext 691
No prior choral experience is required. Care partners must attend with person living with dementia.

ART TO INSPIRE

Art to Inspire is a program designed to creatively engage people living with dementia, and their care partners, with visual art. Led by specially trained art educators and artists, Art to Inspire offers six afternoon sessions in the Gallery where participants can enjoy conversations, works of art, and artmaking in a supportive setting. Each session will explore a different theme, and engage participants in different ways that celebrate present-moment awareness and meaningful creative expression.

Six week sessions: Alternate Thursdays 2 – 3:30 m

Session 1- March 7, 21; April 4, 18; May 2, 16
Session 2- March 14, 28; April 11, 25; May 9, 23 (returning participants)

Cost: $90 per pair (includes care partner) max 11 pairs
Pre-registration is required. For questions/inquiries, email art-educator@wag.ca

Developed in partnership with the Winnipeg Art Gallery, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba and University of Manitoba College of Rehabilitation Sciences.

Become Involved in the Community with Minds in Motion®

Register for the Minds in Motion® Winter 2019 sessions.
This eight week program combines physical activity, socialization and cognitive activities for people living with early to moderate symptoms of dementia to attend with a family member or community friend.

The two-hour weekly program is divided into the following components:
• 45 minutes of physical activity led by a trained physical activity program leader.
• 45 minutes of socially stimulating cognitive activities facilitated by an Alzheimer Society of Manitoba program staff and volunteers.
• 30 minutes of socialization, which includes a healthy snack.

Cost: $65 per participant pair.

Click here to view upcoming sessions in your area and register today.

Help Create Dementia Friendly Communities

Our vision is of a community that respects, supports and empowers people with dementia; a community in which people with dementia are socially and culturally valued; a community where people with dementia still actively participate in a safe environment.

Click here to learn more about how you can help.

Tips on How to Live Well with Dementia

There are some practical things you can do to help you live as well as possible with dementia.

Keep stimulated, focus on the things you can and want to do, maintain a healthy lifestyle and try not to become isolated.

Click here to learn more about how to live well with dementia.

Don’t Face This Alone – We’re Here to Help

A diagnosis can be challenging for both the person with dementia and their care partners. You are not alone – the Alzheimer Society is here to help. Here are a few of the services we offer to help families face the challenges ahead:

Supportive counselling. To access a qualified staff member at the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, call 204-943-6622 in Winnipeg, the Regional Office nearest you or call toll free at 1-800-378-6622. You can also send an email to alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca. The responding staff member will assist you in a caring, confidential manner.

Education sessions. The journey with dementia poses many challenges. Having an understanding of what you are facing, and reliable information about the types of help available to you, will make a difference. Click here for a list of the Alzheimer Society’s upcoming topics and sessions.

Support groups. Support groups are there for people who want to inform themselves with current information that will help improve quality of life with the disease. It’s a safe environment where you can learn, laugh and help each other through mutual understanding. Click here for support groups for family and friends. Click here for support groups for people with dementia.

Website information about dementia and strategies for caregivers. For a comprehensive list of resources, click here. This page on the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba’s website includes links to a variety of resources, including: topics for further reading; the national Alzheimer Society website; other national and international websites containing dementia-related information.

The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba’s e-Newsletters. These eNewsletters contain information about topics of interest to care providers and those with dementia, current research, upcoming education events and much more. Click here to access links to several back issues of the newsletter. Click here to subscribe so you will never miss an issue.

Care partners are encouraged to access support in ways that work for them. To learn more about care partner support and education provided by the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, check the programs and services page at www.alzheimer.mb.ca/we-can-help/programs-and-services/

About the Alzheimer Society

Founded 35 years ago, the Alzheimer Society exists so that all Manitobans affected by dementia receive the help they need today and have hope for the future.

As a province-wide organization, the Society seeks to achieve its mission through community awareness; individual, family and professional education; support programs and research funding.

Click here to read more about the Alzheimer Society.

Get Involved with the Alzheimer Society

Whether you volunteer your time or make a donation, we need your support.

Click here to find out how you can help.

Follow Us On Facebook

Join us on Facebook for the most current news, information and resources. If you’re already tuned in on Facebook, please invite your friends.

check out the Alzheimer Awareness Month posts throughout January.
share your personal stories and let others know how your family has been touched by Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.
encourage your friends to “like” our page.

Click here to “like” us on Facebook now!