December 2024 eNewsletter

In This Issue:

Our Matching Gift Campaign is Back!

During the month of December, the first $27,000 donated will be doubled, so your donation will go even further to help families affected by dementia. This means $10 turns into $20, $100 turns into $200, and $500 turns into $1,000!

Your gift will help families like Gary and Brenda Elbers. Gary felt lost and alone after his wife Brenda was diagnosed with dementia. Watch the video below to learn more about their story and why having a community of support is so important.

Gary found his way after connecting with the Alzheimer Society’s First Link® program. He is sharing his story so that others can feel more comfortable reaching out for support, guidance and reassurance.

You can make a difference for families, like Gary and Brenda’s, by making a gift to the Alzheimer Society today. Click here to donate through our secure online platform. You can also give us a call at 204-943-6622 (Winnipeg) or 1-800-378-6622 (Provincial) to make a donation over the phone using a credit card.

You may be wondering how the ongoing postal disruption will impact your donations.

If you’ve already sent us a donation by mail, please know your gift will make it to us but it will be delayed. We will match all gifts we receive until we hit $27,000. We will be able to issue tax receipts by mail once the strike is over.

Electronic tax receipts are available as usual. If you sent a donation via mail before the postal strike and would like us to email your tax receipt, please call us at 204-943-6622.

If you haven’t made a donation yet but would like to, we suggest all donations be made online or over the phone while the postal strike continues, so your gift can reach us right away.

Thank you for your understanding as we navigate these temporary challenges!

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Call for Minds in Motion® Volunteers

Volunteering with the Minds in Motion program is a great way to get out into the community and help support those living with dementia and their care partners in a fun, dementia-friendly space.

Our volunteers are an integral part of the program, from helping set up the space for participants to delivering and participating in programming and making meaningful connections with people living with mild to moderate signs of dementia and their care partners.

As a Minds in Motion® volunteer, you will:

– Learn to facilitate recreational programs for adults of varied ability
– Engage socially with participants
– Assist with the set-up and clean-up of refreshments and program equipment
– Be available for a 3-hour shift, for eight consecutive weekday mornings or afternoons

Learn more about the program and the role on our Minds in Motion® website.

For more information, please contact:
Nicole McDonald, Senior Manager, Dementia-Friendly Communities
204-943-6622 | nmcdonald@alzheimer.mb.ca

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After-Hours Telephone Support: Every Monday & Wednesday

Sometimes our days can get busy with errands, appointments or work. If it’s challenging for you to call us during daytime hours, we have a new pilot project offering extended telephone support every Monday and Wednesday evening until 8 pm. Depending on the popularity of this pilot project, we may continue offering this support in the future.

Our First Link® Client Support team is ready to listen and help guide you through all aspects of dementia or caregiving. We hope these extended hours help give more people an opportunity to connect with us for support, resources and information.

Call us at 204-943-6622 (Winnipeg) or 1-800-378-6622 (Provincial).

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Navigating Dementia During the Holidays

The holiday season is often filled with gatherings of family and friends, festive decorations and the hustle and bustle of seasonal traditions. While many enjoy celebrating, this time of year may also bring stress, sadness and disappointment. For individuals and families living with dementia, the holidays can be an especially challenging time.

Unfamiliar places, large groups of people, noise and a hectic pace can bring feelings of anxiety, fatigue, frustration and depression for both someone living with dementia and their care partners. Feelings of grief or loss can also arise over the holidays, including a sense of sadness when you’ve decided to let go of certain traditions, especially if it means less time with family or friends.

It’s important to stay connected by seeking support from the people around you. It can be difficult to ask for help, but reaching out to family, friends or neighbours keeps you involved, reducing stress and preventing burnout.

Another way to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the holidays is to consider where you put your time and energy. You may think about simplifying celebrations, like having smaller or more casual social gatherings or cutting down on a few holiday tasks, like baking, shopping or decorating.

Here are a few more tips and ideas to help you safely enjoy the holidays while navigating dementia:

• Make a simple wish list ahead of time of straightforward goals that will help you set realistic expectations for yourself
• Communicate with family and friends about your needs and boundaries for holiday activities and gatherings
• Plan a video call to connect with family as an alternative to meeting in person
• Take care of your mental and physical health – be aware of doctor or clinic closures and have a list of phone numbers to contact in case of emergency

When you’re unsure where to go for help and support, or how to approach the upcoming holiday season, the Alzheimer Society is a welcoming place to turn. Our First Link® Client Support team can help you figure out how to navigate holiday gatherings and traditions in a way that’s safe, comfortable and enjoyable.

You are not alone this holiday season. Connect with the Society by calling 204-943-6622 (Winnipeg) or 1-800-378-6699 (Manitoba) or emailing alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca.

Alzheimer Society of Manitoba holiday hours:

Our offices will be closed on the following days:

• Wednesday, December 25, 2024
• Thursday, December 26, 2024
• Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Other Manitoba-wide crisis & support lines you can access over the holidays:

Provincial Crisis Support Lines and Services

Crisis Support – Klinic Community Health

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Join in fun, fitness & friendship this Winter with Minds in Motion

You can now register for winter 2025 Minds in Motion sessions!

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 and locations. All locations are now open for registration unless otherwise noted.

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Register Now for our 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.

Check out the current lineup of Winter programming and register today:

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

Fun!-Damentals of Table Tennis (Manitoba Table Tennis Association)

Introducing the Fun!-Damentals of Table Tennis program which connects people living with early to moderate signs of dementia and their care partners through fitness and friendship.

Table tennis is a great aerobic exercise with proven cognitive benefits. Participants will take part in gentle recreational play. We will teach basic techniques and rules of the game while having tons of fun.

Winter Program (10 weeks)
Cornerstone Alliance Church, 1100 Autumnwood Dr, Winnipeg
Mondays, 6 – 8 pm
Jan 6 – Mar 17, 2025
*No session Feb 17*
Cost: $110 per pair

Register by emailing table.tennis@sportmanitoba.ca  

Tales Along the Trail (FortWhyte Alive)

Tales Along the Trail is for people living with dementia and their care partners who are looking for a safe but exciting way to encounter the natural world. An experienced naturalist will guide the group along FortWhyte’s gentle pathways, pointing out all winter has to offer and encouraging everyone to use their senses to explore.

Each session will include a relaxing walk through the woods, with stops focusing on all of our senses. Participants will then have a chance to share thoughts, stories, and a snack around a crackling fire or cozy indoor space. In stormy weather, we bring nature indoors.

Winter Program (7 weeks)
Wednesdays, 1 – 2:30 pm
Jan 28 – Mar 4, 2025

Register today by contacting skirkwood@fortwhyte.org.

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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Winter Support Group Dates & Times Available Now!

Registration is open for our winter support groups! If you haven’t tried out one of our support groups before, now is a great time to join – we have a variety of offerings available.

Our support groups give you the opportunity 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.

In addition to our monthly in-person and virtual support group offerings, the following time-limited specailized groups are available this winter.

Support Groups for People Living with Dementia 

In-person

• Brandon: Second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 10 – 11:30 am
  Location: Unit 4B-457 9^th Street, Brandon, MB *Please note that this support group is geared towards those living with dementia who are male-identifying.
• Winnipeg:
  • Wednesdays, Jan 15 – Mar 26, from 10 – 11:30 am
    Location: Alzheimer Society of Manitoba Boardroom, 10 – 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB
  • Thursdays, Jan 16 – Mar 27, from 10 – 11:30 am
    Location: Alzheimer Society of Manitoba Boardroom, 10 – 120 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB

Virtual via Zoom

• Mondays,  Jan 13 – Mar 24, from 10:30 – 11:30 am
• Thursdays, Jan 16 – Mar 27, from 10 – 11 am

Ambiguous Loss Support Group 

In-person

• Selkirk: Wednesdays, Jan 15 – Mar 5, from 1 – 2:30 pm
  Location: Woodland Courts (Boardroom), 387 Annie St, Selkirk, MB

Virtual via Zoom

• For spouses: Thursdays, Jan 30 – Mar 20, from 6:30 – 8 pm
• For adult children: Mondays, Feb 3 – Mar 24, from 7 – 8:30 pm

Bereavement Support Group

Virtual

• Thursdays, Jan 30 – Mar 27, from 1:30 – 3 pm

Stay tuned for Selkirk in-person group dates & time

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

*Please note that groups will require a minimum number of registrants to run on the dates that are currently scheduled and that low registration may result in a group being postponed and offered at a later date (spring 2025).

For a complete listing of support groups, visit Support Groups | Alzheimer Society of Manitoba

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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Our Winter Family Education Calendar is Here

You can now register for our Winter education sessions! Join us to learn about a variety of topics including income tax and financial matters, responsive behaviours, life in long-term care, conversations about driving and more. 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 1
*Please note you do not need to attend the Living with Dementia series in order. The first session of a three-part information series for people supporting someone recently diagnosed with dementia. In this webinar, learn more about the progression of dementia and the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba’s programs and services.
Saturday, January 11 | 10 – 11:45 am

Income Tax and Other Financial Matters
When a person is diagnosed with dementia, there are many financial considerations that may include opportunities for tax credits, grants and other forms of financial incentives. Learn about various options and benefits available to people living with dementia and their care partners.
Tuesday, January 14 | 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.

Winter 2025 Family Education Calendar

Family Education – Upcoming Seminars

Family Education programs sponsored by:

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Graduate Student Wins Funding From the Alzheimer Society

Tobi Olanipekun, a recipient of the 2024 Alzheimer Society Graduate Student Fellowship Award

As a young man growing up in Ibadan, a city of three million people in Oyo state, Nigeria, Tobi Olanipekun dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. He followed this path throughout university and graduated as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2022.

However, during his six years of study at the University of Ibadan, Tobi realized he was happiest when he was in the lab, doing scientific research.

After his graduation, he took a position as a research assistant at the Damien Foundation Genomics and Mycobacteria Research and Training Centre in Ibadan.

Genomics is a field of biology focused on studying an organism’s complete set of DNA (its genetic material) and how the information within is applied.

“I got to learn about the field of genomics and how it can lead to discoveries for the better understanding and treatment of complex diseases,” says Tobi. “I realized what an impact this could have on so many people.”

Now, Tobi is a graduate student in the Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology at the University of Manitoba and is involved in biomedical research in the Eftekharpour Lab, exploring novel strategies for treating Alzheimer’s disease. He is also a recipient of the 2024 Alzheimer Society Graduate Student Fellowship Award, which will support the research needed for his thesis project.

His thesis focuses on investigating a novel treatment for targeting epigenetic changes in Alzheimer’s disease. Epigenetics is the study of how cells control gene activity without changing the DNA sequence.

“Our lab’s research focuses on a protein that we have found to be very important for antioxidant defense in brain cells,” he says. Tobi is focusing his efforts on a protein called thioredoxin, which he and his study group believe could be a good defense against Alzheimer’s disease.

His lab has shown that when the thioredoxin protein is deficient in brain cells, there are structural changes in the nucleus (the structure in a cell that contains the chromosomes.)

“Our research is about understanding the impact of those changes happening in the control center of the brain cells – how does it change the expression of genes? Can we prevent it? Could thioredoxin be a protein that would provide protection? It could be a therapeutic intervention that has some effect.”

Tobi says that in Nigeria and some other African countries, there isn’t necessarily the infrastructure to investigate and provide care or treatment for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders.

“This is partly what inspires me to do this work,” Tobi says. “My research may also bring some hope to Africa and Nigeria. It could affect lives back home as well.”

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We Rely on Your Donations to Continue Our Work

Your gifts are put to immediate use through our First Link Client Support team, support groups and education programs.

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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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