It’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and this year’s theme focuses in on the importance of both community and connection for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.
Rebecca Atkinson, south central regional coordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, shares that the support groups operating in Morden, Carman, and Altona have proven to be a safe space for so many people.
“People walk into them feeling they’re no longer alone, and they walk out going, ‘I can’t wait to come back,’” she observed. “There’s this real sense of peer connection.”
Right now, the support groups are aimed at the caregivers of people living with various forms of dementia, but Atkinson would love to start some groups designed to support people actually living with Alzheimer’s and other related diseases, if there is enough interest.
The society’s regional office—serving communities across the Pembina Valley and beyond—also provides access to a wealth of other services designed to raise awareness, educate, and support families walking this path.
“There’s the one-on-one support,” Atkinson said. “People are surprised: ‘How were we going on along without this? And now we called the Alzheimer Society and it’s like a different story—now there’s hope, now there’s skill, now there’s information that allows for different care to happen.’
“That connection and community—the community in the peer support and then the connection to information and resources—can change the quality of life for someone, take it from maybe feeling despair or hopeless to, okay, we can make this challenging behaviour or this challenging context a little more positive. We can find that happy place with the help of information and resources and support.”
In addition to the support groups, which meet monthly, the south central chapter also has its latest session of Minds in Motion preparing to start up.
The eight-week program for people living with dementia and one of their care partners takes place Wednesdays in Morden starting Jan. 21. Each session features gentle fitness and conversation activities.
There are also take-home kits available from the Winkler Senior Centre and the Altona Library for anyone who can’t make Minds in Motion.
“We have these cognitive care kits, which are a pretty good option as well,” Atkinson said. “They’re full of things you can do at home, and you can also call me for more ideas of how to do what we do at Minds in Motion at home.”
The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba also offers numerous educational workshops and conferences throughout the year.
“We have awesome webinars, and now we have these in-person ones in Winnipeg where you can learn from professionals,” Atkinson said.
For a full list of upcoming seminars head to alzheimer.mb.ca.
Dispelling stigma
A big part of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is to get people talking about life with dementia.
“There does seem to be this barrier, this stigma,” Atkinson said, noting, however, it is a fact of life for an estimated 771,939 people in Canada today. By 2030, researchers project that number to hit nearly one million.
The society is leading the charge on a national day of action on Jan. 28. People are encouraged to wear forget-me-not pins (Atkinson has a few available if anyone would like to pick one up from her Winkler office in the Buhler Active Living Centre—contact her first to arrange a time) and to share a photo and tag the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba on social media.
“Show your support for families impacted by dementia to help reduce that stigma,” Atkinson said, encouraging people to also share their stories of how dementia has affected themselves or their loved ones
Above all, don’t be afraid to reach out for help when you need it, she stressed.
“I want people to know that they can find hope in their day, and find joy in the day,” Atkinson said. “Call us so that we can help you find that again if you’ve lost it, or help you keep it for both you as a care partner or as a person with dementia.
“Until there’s a cure, there is care. Let us help you give good care and receive good care.”
To learn more about the local Alzheimer Society programs or connect with Atkinson about the other supports available, call 1-204-325-5634 or email ratkinson@alzheimer.mb.ca.
