Things are hopping at the south central regional office of the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba this fall.
Not only are there a few special events happening in conjunction with World Alzheimer’s Month, but several returning programs are getting back into the swing of things after summer break, along with a few new ones as well.
“We want everyone to know that the Alzheimer’s Society is the first link to a community of support, resources, and knowledge for families impacted by dementia,” says regional coordinator Rebecca Atkinson, encouraging any family grappling with the disease to get in touch with her to learn more about what help is out there and to let her know what other forms of assistance they’d like to see.
Monthly care partner support groups are starting up in Altona (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m the third Monday of the month at The Gardens on Tenth), Morden (10 a.m. to noon the fourth Monday of the month at the Morden Active Living Centre), Carman (1-3 p.m. at the Carman Active Living Centre the last Wednesday of every month), and Emerson/Dominion City (alternating between the two communities the first Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m.).
It’s a chance for caregivers to get together with others who understand what they’re going through, Atkinson says, urging people to reach out to her at 204-325-5634 for more information about joining a group.
She notes there are also virtual support groups running provincially if the above times and locations don’t work for you. And if there was enough interest for an evening in-person support group in the Pembina Valley, she’d be open to organizing that as well.
As far as events go, the Winkler Senior Centre/Buhler Active Living Centre is hosting a few livestreamed ones over the next few weeks.
On Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 2-3 p.m. is a family education webinar entitled “Navigating the Long-Term Care System.” Register by calling 204-325-8964.
Then, on Thursday, Sept. 21 from 6-7:30 p.m., What’s New in Dementia Research? Ask the Expert! will be livestreamed from Winnipeg to Winkler at the BALC. The presentation features researcher and neurologist Dr. Donald Weaver.
“He’s apparently an excellent speaker,” Atkinson says, noting he’ll be fielding questions about the causes, risk factors, and treatments for dementia.
Atkinson will herself be speaking or fielding questions at a few other events this fall, including the Building Dementia-Friendly Communities presentation at the Crystal City Friendship Centre on Sept. 20 at 1:30 p.m. (register by calling 204-825-2443), the Home & Community Care Expo at the Morden Activity Centre Oct. 4 from 4-7 p.m., and the Understanding Dementia public information session in the Cedar Estates common room (350-4th St., Winkler) at 2 p.m. on Oct. 13 (no registration required).
Next month will also see the Care 4 U conference hosted in Winnipeg on Saturday, Oct. 28. The event is aimed at family and friends caring for people living with dementia and features presentations from a variety of healthcare and community professionals. Registration information is available at alzheimer.mb.ca.
Atkinson encourages anyone interested in attending the conference and potentially carpooling with others from this area to reach out to her.
Finally, on the programming front, back for another eight-week session at The Gardens on Tenth in Altona starting Oct. 23 is Minds in Motion.
This program is designed for people living with early to moderate signs of dementia to attend with a family member or friend. Each session includes gentle chair fitness, engaging activities, and conversation.
“We’re doing Altona in the fall and then we’re set up to run in Carman in winter and then Winkler in the spring,” Atkinson notes. Contact her at 204-325-5634 to register.
She’s also putting a call out for volunteers for programming across the region and for businesses who want to learn more about how they can become more dementia-friendly.
