World Alzheimer’s Month 2021

Let’s make Manitoba blue this September for World Alzheimer’s Month!

Worldwide, an astounding 50 million are diagnosed with dementia and over 23,000 of them live in Manitoba. Having a globally coordinated World Alzheimer’s Month sends a strong message to governments and policy makers, alerting them to the fact that dementia is a serious health issue that will have overwhelming implications on services and health systems around the world as the population grows older.

We’ll be wearing blue on World Alzheimer’s Day, September 21st to show our support. Will you? Make sure to post your photos to social media, tag us and use the hashtag #goblueforalz.

Here are some other ways you can become involved:

Follow us on Social Media!

Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings at the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba by following us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. Share your personal stories and let others know how your family has been touched by Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia and tag us!

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

LinkedIn

 

Wear BLUE on World Alzheimer’s Day to show YOUR support!

Encourage everyone in your office, home and community to wear blue on Tuesday, September 21 and make a donation to help raise funds for the Alzheimer Society on World Alzheimer’s Day! Click here for an example of an email you can circulate.

Your gift will help families and individuals face the diagnosis of dementia and plan their next steps. Click here to make a donation today

Make sure to post your photos on social media — tag us on Facebook and Instagram and use the hashtag #GoBLUEforAlz.

 

Enjoy a Night of Trivia

Exercise your brain and join the Alzheimer Society for our 13th annual Trivia Challenge!

The new virtual event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 19th at 7 pm.

Gather your friends, family and co-workers for a fun night of trivia!

Click here for more information and to register today!

 

Here are some resources for families:

Attend Care4u Family Conference

Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 16 from 9 am to 12:30 pm to join us via ZOOM for a morning of learning strategies and resources to help you find and strengthen your courage as a care partner amidst times of constant change.

With Courage & Care as the central theme this year, Care4u will touch on a variety of topics to help support you as a care partner. Learn about managing difficult situations, loss and grief, financial and legal issues and more!

Click here for more information and to register online today!

 

Join the Minds in Motion® Program

The Alzheimer Society’s Minds in Motion® program, which connects people living with early to moderate signs of dementia and their partners through fitness, fun and friendship is coming back in the fall with virtual and IN-PERSON sessions across the province to best serve you.

Learn more about the session available now on our website!

Registration for the virtual session starts September 7th on the Minds in Motion website!

 

Attend a Community Partner Program

With Covid restrictions loosening, things are starting to open up, and our community partners are hard at work planning for in-person dementia friendly programs this fall. Through these partnerships, people with early to moderate symptoms of dementia and their care partners have opportunities to get out and participate in engaging and stimulating activities for a reasonable fee.

 

Assiniboine Park Zoo:
Journeys Through the Zoo

This engaging program lets participants explore Assiniboine Park Zoo’s most famed exhibit: Journey to Churchill. Led by an educator coordinator, the group will explore arctic animals and earth friendly themes while building community through reminiscing, sensory activities and take-home projects.

The program runs from 10 am to 12 pm on the following Tuesdays for four weeks: September 14, 21 and 28 and October 5.

Cost is $105/pair.

Register now at assiniboinepark.ca/programs-and-tours/workshops

 

Manitoba Museum:
Now and Then – A Journey in Time

This lively program encourages exploration of the Manitoba Museum’s many collections. Led by a museum learning facilitator, participants explore old memories and create new ones through object handling, multisensory activities and stimulating discussions. Each session highlights one of the Museum’s distinct galleries, from the animals of the Arctic to the far reaches of ancient Egypt, and many more. Participants are welcome to explore the Museum Galleries before or after the program.

The program runs from 1:30 to 3 pm on the following Fridays for four weeks: September 17 and 24; October 1 and 8.

Cost is $75/pair ($70 for Museum members).

Registration is now open – Please call or email Corinne Antoniuk at 204-988-0671 / cantoniuk@manitobamuseum.ca

 

Winnipeg Art Gallery:
Art to Inspire

Art to Inspire is designed to creatively engage participants with visual art. Held in the Winnipeg Art Gallery and led by art educators and artists, participants make, view and discuss art in a supportive setting. Each session looks at a different theme, and those involved are encouraged to contribute in a variety of ways to celebrate present moment awareness and meaningful creative expression.

The program runs from 1:30 – 3 pm from October 22 to November 26, 2021. There will be no class on November 5th.

Cost is $80/pair.

Registration opens on Monday, September 13th at wag.ca/event/art-to-inspire/.

 

Attend a Family Education Session or Workshop

Learn new skills and obtain information and resources that will help you face the daily realities of living with and caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.

Click here for information on upcoming ZOOM Webinar sessions and workshops.

 

Join a Virtual Care Partner Support Group

We are also currently offering virtual caregiver support groups to help connect people with others living in a similar situation during these uncertain times and to ensure that families continue to have access to support and information. Click here for upcoming dates and details on how to register.

 

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 (toll free).

 

Join us for a Globally Coordinated World Alzheimer’s Month

Dementia exists in your country, in your province and in your community. It knows no boundaries.

It not only affects the person themselves, but also impacts  families, caregivers, communities and societies on a local, national and international scale.

Having a globally coordinated World Alzheimer’s Month sends a strong message to governments and policy makers, alerting them to the fact that dementia is a serious health issue that will have overwhelming implications on services and health systems around the world as the population grows older.

We hope you join us here in Manitoba to raise awareness about dementia and the programs and services available for families at the Alzheimer Society.

 

Dementia Statistics from Manitoba, Canada and International

Manitoba

  • Currently, more than 23,000 Manitobans have dementia. This number is rapidly growing and by 2038 it is expected to reach over 40,700.
  • Sixty-two per cent of Manitobans are impacted by dementia because they have a family member or close friend with the disease.
  • Eighty-six per cent of Manitobans are able to identify memory loss as a symptom of dementia. Many know that changes in confusion/disorientation, changes in mood/behaviour and personality changes are also symptoms of the disease. Ten per cent or less recognizes the other seven warning signs.
  • Seventy per cent of Manitobans feel it is possible to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Over 50 per cent are aware that challenging your brain and choosing a healthy lifestyle as strategies to maintain your brain health.

Canada

  • There are an estimated 564,000 Canadians living with dementia. By 2031, this is expected to rise to 937,000, an increase of 66 per cent.
  • There are currently over 1.1 million Canadians impacted by dementia because they have a family member or close personal friend with the disease.
  • The estimated combined cost of dementia (health-care system and out-of-pocket costs) is estimated at $10.4 billion. By 2031, this figure is expected to increase by 60 per cent, to $16.6 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.