This January, during National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba hopes to help Manitobans understand dementia and the resources available to those navigating the disease by sharing stories from individuals who experience dementia daily.
After Ken Krulicki’s wife, Brenda, was diagnosed with young-onset dementia, he felt lost and alone. He turned to the Alzheimer Society for guidance and information. The First Link® Client Support staff connected Ken with resources, including a care partner support group where he met and received support from others going through similar situations.
“I had so many mixed emotions after I learned about my wife’s diagnosis. I simply didn’t want to face it,” said Krulicki. “The Society helped me move forward and encouraged me to join a support group. It was a game changer.”
Krulicki’s Story can be viewed on YouTube at the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Vlv0rBhce0.
Since 1983, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba has dedicated itself to being a reliable source of information, education and resources for people living with all types of dementia, as well as their care partners and families. The Society has made significant strides in our community; however, dementia remains an incredibly challenging diagnosis.
“Here we are, forty years later, and there is still more work to do to break the stigma surrounding this disease so that families feel more comfortable reaching out to us for support,” said Erin Crawford, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. “This campaign gives us an opportunity to talk about dementia so that families realize that they don’t have to go through this alone.”
More than 19,600 Manitobans live with dementia today – a number expected to reach 39,100 by 2050. The Alzheimer Society is a place for families to turn at any point while navigating cognitive changes or dementia – and the Society’s First Link® Client Support program offers a community of support, including one-to-one counselling, support groups, education sessions and dementia-friendly programs.
Read more stories from Manitobans living with dementia at alzheimer.mb.ca/awareness2024. Contact your local Alzheimer Society to learn more or get connected to support at 204-943-6622 (Winnipeg), 1-800-378-6699 (Provincial) or alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca.
