February 2025 eNewsletter

In This Issue:

Leaving a Legacy Behind

 

Marion Murphy made a difference in the lives of families experiencing dementia. She had a passion for helping others in her community and chose to leave a gift in her will to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba so she could continue supporting families navigating dementia.

Leaving a charitable gift in your will allows you to make a significant impact on the causes you care about. No matter how much you give, your will is powerful and you can make a bigger difference than you realize.

Marion left a lasting legacy by leaving a gift in her will, but she was also an important part of our dementia community. A retired teacher, Marion began volunteering for the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba in 1995 after she saw a request for volunteer fundraisers in the paper.

“Even though I don’t meet the people who have Alzheimer’s or their families, it makes me feel better, knowing that I am helping others,” Marion told the Alzheimer Society back in 2009. “Doing something for others, helping them, it is in me.”

Marion also got involved with the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s, walking on behalf of family members and friends living with dementia. She was the top fundraiser in the province for many years, working tirelessly to raise funds and awareness for the Society every year during the annual Walk. She would go door-to-door around her neighbourhood from the end of April until late June collecting pledges and educating others about dementia.

“I haven’t tested it with a pedometer so I don’t know how far I go, but on average I spend an hour and a half out collecting pledges,” Marion said during a previous interview. “A good many homes I go to now say, ‘Oh hi Marion, it’s nice to see you again’.”

In 2004, Marion was the first recipient of the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba’s annual Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award.

“Marion truly helped many families affected by dementia,” says Rebecca Krowelski, Marketing & Communications Director, Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. “We looked forward to seeing her every week during Walk season. She’d bring in the donations she collected and had us carefully count every penny — she genuinely cared about how this money was being spent. We all fell in love with Marion Murphy.”

Marion passed away in 2021, but her passion for helping others didn’t end there. By leaving a gift in her will to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, her efforts to help individuals and families affected by dementia continued.

“I think that we all need to be advocates for people with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Marion. “With education, people are more aware of the disease. If it comes to the point where it is known that there is help available, then I am happy.”

Marion has truly left a legacy behind, not only in her dedication to the dementia community but also in the ongoing work at the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.

For more information about the power of your will and the financial benefits of leaving a legacy gift, visit the Will Power website.

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Extension of 2024 Charitable Donations

To mitigate the impacts of the four-week Canada Post mail stoppage, the federal government has extended the Income Tax Act deadline for making donations eligible for tax support in the 2024 tax year, until February 28, 2025. This means that donations made between January 1 and February 28, 2025, can be claimed on your income tax for either 2024 or 2025.

For more information and to view this announcement, you can visit the Government of Canada website.

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Dementia in the Black Community – Video Series

Understanding dementia in the Black community is crucial for better support and care. The second volume of the Landmark Study, which the Alzheimer Society of Canada released in January 2024 found emerging evidence that strongly suggests Black populations in Canada experience dementia at a higher rate when compared to other populations, while at the same time experiencing gaps in culturally responsive care and adequate supports (Landmark Study, Vol. 2, 2024).

February is Black History Month and a great opportunity to learn more about the unique experiences within Canada’s Black communities. To help those wanting to better understand the challenges and experiences navigating dementia in the Black community, the Alzheimer Society of Canada released a video series, Dementia in the Black Community, as part of their National Dementia Guidelines. This series features personal stories from people living with dementia, insights from care partners and guidance from healthcare providers, all working together to raise awareness and improve support for those impacted.

Discover more about dementia in the Black community and deepen your understanding of the unique ways dementia can impact us.

Click on the video below to visit our YouTube channel and start watching today:

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Graduate Student Awarded Funding for Alzheimer’s Treatment Research

Christian Humphreys, 2024 Alzheimer Society Graduate Student Fellowship Award Recipient

When Christian Humphreys was a teenager, some of his favourite television viewing involved crime shows where forensic science helped crack the case.

Inspired by those shows, the 26-year-old is now a University of Manitoba PhD student working long hours in the lab, doing scientific research he hopes will someday advance the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Christian is a recipient of the 2024 Alzheimer Society Graduate Student Fellowship Award, awarded to graduate students who demonstrate outstanding interest or commitment to dementia research.

Christian, who grew up in Winnipeg, began his post-secondary academic career by completing a degree in genetics. Along the way, he became interested in the pharmacology research being conducted by University of Manitoba scientist and academic, Dr. Michael Jackson.

“I decided to meet with him and talking to him sparked more of an interest in his research,” Christian says. “I was always somewhat interested in brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, I find the topic super interesting.”

The brain, he points out, “is the most complex organ in our body and seems like the most interesting field of study because of its complexity. The research surrounding dementia has a lot of obstacles and struggles with finding cures or treatment options for diseases like Alzheimer’s.”

In his research, Christian is focusing on a specific protein called Pannexin 2 (Panx2) and its effects on communication between brain cells.

He explains that amyloid beta is a major toxic product in the brains of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and causes communication between the brain cells to be impaired.

“I’m trying to see if the protein that I’m interested in – Panx2 – is involved in the decrease in brain cell firing caused by amyloid beta,” Christian says. He adds, “If I can figure out exactly what part of Panx2 is activated in the presence of amyloid beta, maybe we can prevent that activation and reverse the impairment.”

The young scientist admits he — and probably many other scientists — have a lot of work ahead of them. However, Christian says this research could be the first step, or discovery phase, toward finding a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

“If this research is successful,” he says, “other researchers could perhaps develop a drug to block Panx2… and in an ideal scenario, it could be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease.”

The Alzheimer Society is proud to support local dementia research in Manitoba. Learn more about the Graduate Student Fellowship Award here.

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What’s Good for Your Heart is Good for Your Brain

February is Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of cardiovascular health and the things we can all do to improve our heart health.

Did you know that keeping your heart healthy can help reduce your risk of dementia? Monitoring and managing your blood pressure and heart health with the help of your healthcare provider can help protect your brain. What’s good for the heart is also good for the brain!

You can do many things to improve your heart health and brain health at the same time. Healthy behaviours such as being physically active, eating a variety of healthy foods, avoiding smoking, getting proper sleep and managing stress can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease and dementia.

These same healthy behaviors can also help those already living with dementia slow the progression of the disease and improve their quality of life with dementia.

Vascular Dementia & Stroke

Stroke is a typical cause of vascular dementia, which is the most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. Vascular dementia occurs when the brain’s blood supply is blocked or damaged, causing brain cells to die from lack of oxygen. Recognizing the signs of stroke and acting quickly can make a difference in recovery and in lowering the risk of dementia.

Vascular dementia often occurs alongside Alzheimer’s disease or other brain diseases. Symptoms of vascular dementia include:

  • Changes in thinking skills, such as reasoning, planning, judgment and attention
  • Changes in abilities that are significant enough to interfere with daily social or work functioning

Treating the risk factors for stroke also significantly reduces your risk of vascular dementia. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the single most important risk factor for stroke and vascular dementia that can be controlled.

Overall, living a heart and brain-healthy lifestyle is the main way to reduce your risk of heart disease and dementia.

Learn more about reducing your risk of dementia at: Reduce Your Risk | alzheimer.mb.ca.

If you have questions about dementia risk factors, vascular dementia or are looking for other dementia support, reach out to our First Link® Client Support team anytime by calling 204-943-6622 (Winnipeg) / 1-800-378-6699 (toll-free in Manitoba) or emailing alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca.

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Register for Upcoming Online Education Sessions

Learning new skills and deepening your understanding of dementia can help you face the daily realities of living with or caring for someone living with dementia – and it may help you better understand your own feelings as well. Join us this winter to learn about a variety of topics related to dementia. These sessions are free to attend and offered via Zoom.

Click here to register for all Family Education sessions.

Here’s what’s coming up:

Living with Dementia First Steps – Part 2
*Please note you do not need to attend the Living with Dementia series in order.The second session of a three-part information series for people supporting someone recently diagnosed with dementia. Learn from Alexander Krush from PKF Lawyers about the legal and financial matters related to dementia, to help ensure that your affairs are together for you and your family.
Saturday, February 8 | 10 – 11:45 am

Life in Long-Term Care
Transitions are hard and can often be associated with feelings of grief, loss, sadness, anger and shame. For families, the process of moving a person living with dementia to a personal care home can be one of the most difficult transitions throughout the dementia journey. This presentation will provide information about the supports in place within long-term care, tips and tricks when working with care teams, advocating for your family member and how to enhance your visits.
Tuesday, February 18 | 2 – 3 pm

You can choose to watch these online sessions in-person at the Alzheimer Society office (10-120 Donald Street, Winnipeg) – the speaker will not be presenting in-person. Please email ekinnaird@alzheimer.mb.ca if you are interested in this option.

Visit the links below for more details on our winter education sessions and to register.

Family Education – Upcoming Seminars

Family Education programs sponsored by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Benefits of Joining a Support Group

Tanis lives with dementia and attends a support group at the Society every week.

Our in-person and virtual support groups provide opportunities to learn more about dementia, share day-to-day coping strategies and participate in meaningful discussions with others who know what you’re going through because they’ve experienced it themselves.

Tanis lives with dementia and attends one of the Society’s in-person support groups. To Tanis, this weekly meeting gives her a place to connect with others. She can talk about the stigma she faces as a person living with dementia, receive guidance when she experiences changes and share advice with others in the group to help inspire each other to keep moving forward. And of course, there’s always a bit of laughter too.

“This support group has been a lifesaver for me,” Tanis says. “I’ve attended for many years now and the great leadership and deep friendships I’ve formed have helped to keep my spirit strong.”

We offer a variety of support groups for both people living with dementia and care partners, including specialized groups for care partners that target some of the more complex aspects of caregiving.

For a complete listing of support groups, visit the links below:

Support Groups for People Living with Dementia

Support Groups for Care Partners

Call us at 204-943-6622/1-800-378-6622 or email alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca to register for a support group or guidance on which group will best meet your needs.

We welcome everyone to this inclusive environment for people of different ethnicities, cultures or persons who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

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You Can Still Register for Minds in Motion®

Our popular Minds in Motion program connects people living with early to moderate signs of dementia and their care partners through fitness, fun and friendship. Participants take part in a gentle chair fitness class followed by socially engaging activity and conversation. There are lots of laughs and social interaction during these sessions.

Visit our Minds in Motion page for more information and to register now. 

(Cost is $65/pair unless noted).

View the information below to see winter 2025 dates & locations. Register today!

Winnipeg Locations

Faith Lutheran Church – 1311 Dakota St
Thursdays, 10 am – 12 pm AND 6 – 8 pm
Jan 23 – Mar 13
Call the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba to register: 204-943-6622
Registration for the morning session is now closed
Register online for the evening session

Rady JCC Fitness Centre –  123 Doncaster St
Wednesdays, 10 am – 12 pm
Jan 22 – Mar 12
Call to register: 204-477-7510

Riverwood Square – 1778 Pembina Hwy
Tuesdays, 10 am – 12 pm
Jan 21 – Mar 11
Call to register: 204-275-7632

The Wellness Institute – 1075 Leila Ave
Wednesdays, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Jan 22 – Mar 12
Call to register: 204-632-3900

YMCA (Elmwood-Kildonan) – 454 Kimberly Ave
Thursdays, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Jan 23 – Mar 13
Call to register: 204-668-8140

YMCA (West Portage) – 3550 Portage Ave
Tuesdays, 1 – 3 pm
Jan 21 – Mar 11
Call to register: 204-889-8052

Regional Locations

BRANDON
Seniors for Seniors
– 311 Park Ave East
Thursdays, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Feb 6 – Apr 3
Call to register: 1-204-571-2050 OR email: reception@brandons4s.ca

GLADSTONE
Senior Support office
– 36 Morris Ave N
Wednesdays, 10 am – 12 pm
Jan 8 – Feb 26
*Open to those in the Gladstone, Plumas and Neepawa areas*
Call to register: 1-204-385-3026

MORDEN
Morden Activity Centre
– 306 North Railway
Wednesdays, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Feb 5 – Mar 26
Call to register: 1-204-822-3555

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE
Herman Prior Centre
– 40 Royal Rd North
Wednesdays, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Jan 22 – Mar 12
Call to register: 1-204-857-6951

STEINBACH
Pat Porter Active Living Centre
– 10 Chrysler Gate
Wednesdays, 10 am – 12 pm
Jan 22 – Mar 12
Call to register: 1-204-320-4600

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Winter 2025 Community Partner Programs

The Alzheimer Society partners with community organizations to create programs designed for people living with early to moderate symptoms of dementia to attend with their family members, friends or care partners.

Here are the winter programs still available for registration:

Dalnavert Museum Dementia-Friendly Tours

Come to the Dalnavert Museum for their monthly dementia-friendly tours. This program allows people living with early to moderate symptoms of dementia and their care partners to step back in time and explore the historic house and its collection.

After your tour of the museum, enjoy tea and coffee and a closer look at some artifacts.

Please note: The upper floors of the museum are only accessible by stairs. If stairs pose a barrier, there will be the option of exploring the upper floors of the house with a tour guide in the Visitors’ Centre through our virtual tour. Folding cane-seats can be borrowed free of charge during your visit and there will be seating available throughout the museum.

Monthly Program
The last Saturday of every month, 10 – 11:30 am
Cost: $24.00 (plus tax) per pair and session, $12.00 per pair and session if one of the pair is a Dalnavert Museum Member

Register today on the Dalnavert Museum and Visitors’ Centre website

The Living Well Program (The Leaf)

The Living Well Program enables people with early to moderate signs of dementia and their care partners to reap the social and well-being benefits of engaging with plants with the guidance of a practitioner of horticulture therapy.

We cultivate a dementia-friendly community with sensory plant-based activities, fostering social engagement, and guided explorations of The Leaf and outdoor gardens when the weather permits. Every session includes refreshments.

Winter Program (6 weeks)
The Leaf, 145 The Leaf Way, Winnipeg
Mondays, 2:15 – 4 pm
Feb 3 – Mar 17, 2025
*No session on Feb 17*
Cost: $150 + GST/pair

Tickets on sale beginning January 7. Register on the Assiniboine Park Conservancy website

Tune-Up Café (Convalescent Home of Winnipeg)

Tune-Up Café is for individuals living with early to moderate signs of dementia and their care partners. It’s an inclusive and welcoming meeting place for singing, making social connections and sipping on a cuppa!

Winter Program
Convalescent Home of Winnipeg, 276 Hugo St North, Winnipeg
Tuesdays, 6:15 – 8 pm
Winter program starts Jan 7, 2025
There is no fee to attend, but registration is required.

Contact Sherry at tuneupcafe276@gmail.com for more information and to register.

Vivace Voices Choir (Canadian Mennonite University)

Come and join us in making music together! Singing in a choir is a challenging and joyful experience. In this program, people living with early to moderate signs of dementia and their care partners will learn to sing new and familiar music while making connections with those around them. No prior choral experience is required.

Winter Program (11 weeks)
Canadian Mennonite University (North Campus), 500 Shaftesbury Blv.
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Jan 28 – April 8, 2025

Cost: $145 per pair

Learn more and register now on the CMU website

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We Rely on Your Donations to Continue Our Work

Your gifts help support individuals, families and communities affected by dementia.

DONATE NOW

BECOME A MONTHLY DONOR

LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL

 

 

Remember. You Are Not Alone.

Are you struggling to figure out your next steps? Our First Link® Client Support team is here to listen and help guide you through difficult times – from when you are concerned about your own, a family member or a friend’s memory, right through to the later symptoms of dementia. Call us today at 204-943-6622 (Wpg) / 1-800-378-6622 (MB), email alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca or fill out our online form and we will reach out to you.

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