World Alzheimer’s Month 2024

Support changes everything.

This World Alzheimer’s Month, we’re encouraging all Manitobans to learn the signs of dementia and understand the importance of getting a diagnosis.

In Manitoba, there are more than 19,600 people who live with dementia. You are not alone. The Alzheimer Society is your First Link® to information, resources and a community of support to help you understand and navigate dementia.

Having a globally coordinated World Alzheimer’s Month sends a strong message to our governments, policymakers and communities that dementia is a serious health issue which will have overwhelming effects on services and health systems as our population grows older. The more care we can provide, the more inclusive and compassionate our society can become.

Positive change starts with learning. When you know the facts behind dementia, you will be able to challenge assumptions and false beliefs when they appear and help reduce the negative impact of stigma against people living with dementia, their families and care partners.

We are here for you to help you understand and access the resources you need when you need them.

Take a moment this month to learn the 10 warning signs of dementia and share them with family, friends, colleagues or your community. Knowing the signs of dementia can help more people receive an early diagnosis. The earlier you seek a diagnosis, the earlier you can connect with us to access dementia-friendly programming, support groups, one-to-one counselling and helpful information.

Follow us on Social Media & Share Your Story!

Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings at the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba by following us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) and LinkedIn. Share your personal stories this World Alzheimer’s Month and let others know about the support you or your family have received from the Society or community. Make sure to post your photos to social media, tag us and use the hashtag #WAM2024 so we can come support you!

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10 Warning Signs of Dementia

Whether you’re concerned for yourself or someone you care about, it’s important to know the most common warning signs of dementia. Knowing the signs can help ensure an early diagnosis and earlier access to support and resources to help you live well with dementia.

Sign 1: Memory changes that affect day-to-day abilities

It’s normal to occasionally forget appointments, colleagues’ names or a friend’s phone number only to remember them a short while later. However, a person living with dementia may forget things more often or may have difficulty recalling information that has recently been learned.

Sign 2: Difficulty doing familiar tasks

Busy people can be so distracted from time to time that they may forget to serve part of a meal, only to remember about it later. However, a person living with dementia may have trouble completing tasks that have been familiar to them all their lives, such as preparing a meal or playing a game.

Sign 3: Changes in language and communication

Anyone can have trouble finding the right word to express what they want to say. However, a person living with dementia may forget simple words or may substitute words making that person hard to understand.

Sign 4: Disorientation in time and place

Have you ever forgotten what day of the week it is or can’t remember why you went into your bedroom? It happens to all of us. However, people living with dementia can become lost on their own street, not knowing how they got there or how to get home.

Sign 5: Impaired judgment

From time to time, people may make bad decisions such as putting off seeing a doctor when they are not feeling well. However, a person living with dementia may experience changes in judgment or decision-making, such as not recognizing a medical problem that needs attention or wearing heavy clothing on a hot day.

Sign 6: Problems with abstract thinking

Sometimes people may have difficulty with tasks that require abstract thinking, such managing finances. However, someone living with dementia may have challenges understanding what numbers are and how they are used.

Sign 7: Misplacing things

Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or keys. However, a person living with dementia may put things in inappropriate places. For example, an iron in the freezer, or a wristwatch in the sugar bowl.

Sign 8: Changes in mood, personality and behaviour

Sometimes people feel sad and moody, or experience changes in their behaviour. But a person living with dementia may experience more severe changes. For example, they may quickly become tearful or upset for no obvious reason. They may be confused, fearful, suspicious and withdraw from others. They may act differently from what is normal for them.

Sign 9: Changes in personality

It’s normal to lose interest in housework, business activities or social obligations, but most people regain their initiative. However, a person living with dementia may become passive and disinterested. They may need cues and prompts to become involved.

Sign 10: Loss of initiative

A person with dementia may have problems with vision, depth perception and movement. They may have challenges with finding their way around their environment or placing things easily and correctly on a table, such as a pencil or mug. Sometimes dementia can be the cause of these issues, and it’s important to see a doctor and an eye specialist to get everything checked out.

*If you are concerned about any of these signs, the next step is to talk to your doctor. 

10 Symptoms and Strategies videos

Click here to watch a series of videos about Faye, Anne and Sandra, three remarkable Nova Scotia women with early stage dementia, and hear them discuss their symptoms and the strategies they use to live well with dementia.

 

Benefits of an Early Diagnosis

You can live meaningful and productive lives for many years after an early dementia diagnosis. An early diagnosis helps both people living with dementia and their care partners learn about dementia, set realistic expectations and plan for their future together.

There is no single definitive test to diagnose dementia going through the process of getting a diagnosis can feel frustrating and tedious. However, many people are relieved once they have identified the source of their concerns and can begin making informed decisions about their care and personal matters. The earlier you seek and receive a diagnosis, the sooner you can connect with us to access dementia-friendly programming, support groups, one-to-one counselling and helpful information. 

For those living with dementia, other benefits of an early diagnosis include:

  • Understanding the symptoms that you are experiencing and what changes to expect 
  • Taking advantage of support networks and community resources
  • Benefiting from and exploring treatment options to help manage the symptoms of dementia  
  • Being more actively involved in your personal decisions, including healthcare and legal and financial plans

  • Helping to reduce stigma by sharing your experiences

All of these benefits help maximize the quality of life for those living with dementia.

If you or someone you know thinks you may be experiencing signs of dementia, the best thing to do is make an appointment to speak with your doctor or healthcare practitioner.

Our First Link Client Support team is also here to talk through any of your concerns surrounding dementia. Reach out to us by calling 204-942-6622 (Winnipeg) or at 1-800-378-6699 (Manitoba) or email alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca.

 

Upcoming Events 

Register for the 2024 Research Forum

Discover some of the latest advancements in dementia research from three local researchers.

Join us this World Alzheimer’s Month to learn how cardiovascular disease, the vestibular system and virtual reality are linked to dementia and brain health research. You might be surprised at how the dots connect!

Thursday, September 19, 2024 | 6 – 7:30 pm

Winnipeg – Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain (CCFM), 340 Provencher Blvd
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Live streaming viewing parties:

Brandon – Seniors for Seniors, 311 Park Ave. E
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Selkirk – Gordon Howard Centre, 384 Eveline St
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Steinbach – Pat Porter Active Living Centre, 10 Chrysler Gate
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Winkler – Buhler Active Living Centre, #105 – 650 South Railway Ave
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*Registration is required so join us now at alzheimer.mb.ca/researchforum2024*

View the official event poster here!

 

2024 Care4u Family Conference: Building Confidence for Day-to-Day Care

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 19 from 9 am to 3:30 pm to join us for a day of education and support where you will connect with other care partners, hear from professionals in the healthcare industry and learn strategies to help you work through the day-to-day challenges dementia brings.

The cost to attend is $50 which includes a hot lunch and resources to take home.

View the official event poster here and share it with family and friends!

Register today at alzheimer.mb.ca/care4u

 

Dementia-Friendly Programming & Education

Join Minds in Motion®

The Alzheimer Society’s Minds in Motion® program, which connects people living with early to moderate signs of dementia and their care partners through fitness, fun and friendship is back this fall with sessions across the province.

Learn more and register now on our Minds in Motion website!

 

Attend a Community Partner Program

Enjoy a variety of activities in dementia-friendly spaces with our community programs. Geared to those living with dementia and their care partners, you can discover history at the Dalnavert Museum, explore the outdoors with FortWhyte Alive, grow your table tennis skills with the Manitoba Table Tennis Association and so much more.

Check out our current offerings on our Community Programs page!

 

Register for our Family Education Series

We’ve got a full calendar of education sessions this fall, covering a variety of caregiving topics including meaningful engagement in physical activities, wandering and dementia, mealtimes and nutrition and more. These sessions are free to attend and offered via Zoom.

To view all sessions and register, visit our Family Education page.

 

Join a Support Group

We offer in-person and virtual support groups for people living with dementia. We also offer support groups for care partners including a group for adult children, spouses, men only, young onset, ambiguous loss and more! These groups continue to connect people with others living in similar situations across the province

Pre-registration is required as there are limited spaces available. For a full list of our support group offerings and how to register, click here!

All of our support groups are inclusive environments for people of different ethnicities, cultures or persons who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.

You are not alone. Call us!

Our offices are open for one-on-one appointments. You can also reach a comforting ear by phone or get a quick response by email. Call us at 204-942-6622 (Winnipeg) or at 1-800-378-6699 (Manitoba).

 

Dementia Statistics from Manitoba, Canada & Across the Globe

Canada

  • There are an estimated 733,040 Canadians living with dementia. By 2050, this is expected to rise to 1,700,000, a triple increase in less than 30 years.
  • There are currently over 1 million Canadians impacted by dementia because they have a family member or close personal friend with the disease.
  • By 2040, it’s expected that over 250,000 individuals will develop dementia each year – that’s 29 people every hour.
  • There are currently over 350,000 care partners working with people living with dementia across Canada. With an average of 26 hours a week of care, even if each care partner was paid $15.55 an hour, the care provided by family and friends is greater than $7.3 billion.

International

  • There are over 50 million people living with dementia worldwide. The number of people affected is set to rise to over 152 million by 2050.
  • There is one new case of dementia worldwide every three seconds.
  • The worldwide costs of dementia are estimated at US $818 billion. As a result, if dementia care were a country, it would be the world’s 18th largest economy. If it were a company, it would be the world’s largest by annual revenue exceeding Apple (US $742 billion) and Google (US $368 billion).
  • Dementia is now widely recognized as one of the most significant health crises of the 21st century.