MATURE SUMMER 2023 PRIORITIZE WHAT MATTERS
dementia ISSUE Taking care of the people we love. the
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W e take care of the people we love. Full to look out for or what resources are available? If you find yourself in a caregiver position, how do you look after yourself so your tank is full enough to help others? The prospect of dealing with a loved one's physi- cal decline is an accepted inevitability, but dealing with cognitive decline can come as a shock. Dementia comes in many forms and can start insidiously slow but become overwhelming in a heartbeat. Manitoba stop. But how can we care for aging family, friends, or ourselves if we don't know what currently has 18,400 people living with dementia, and by 2050, it is expected to reach over 39,100. In this edition of Mature, we’ll explore some of the most common topics surrounding dementia: How to recognize early warning signs and plans you can MATURE JUNE 30, 2023 TABLE OF CONTENTS
make for your own care; resources available to Manitobans; a first-hand account that illustrates the importance of caregiver assistance programs; and healthy living tips. We’ll also look at a unique approach to residential care for people living with dementia and discuss the future of dementia care, including ongoing research and newly added pro- grams available in Manitoba. Watching someone you love change from a vibrant and active participant in their own life to a depen- dant can be difficult, but there are resources and support systems that are only a click or a call away. The first step is to arm yourself with knowledge and muster the courage to face the journey head-on. We hope the advice and resources presented here will help you know you are not alone.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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HEALTHY LIVING FOR DEMENTIA PREVENTION A discussion with incoming
EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF DEMENTIA Take note and be prepared: Advice from geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Barry Campbell
WHERE TO TURN FOR DEMENTIA CARE A look at the
INCLUSIVE PROGRAM ALLOWS OLDER ADULTS TO BLOSSOM A unique approach to residential care for people
POLO PARK HEARING CENTRE 25 years of helping Manitobans achieve optimum hearing capacity
CARING FOR THE CAREGIVERS A first-hand account on the
importance of caregiver assistance programs
First Link resources
Alzheimer Society of
available from the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba
Manitoba CEO Erin Crawford
living with dementia
Editor Kristin Marand Design Tammy Mitchell
View online at winnipegfreepress.com/lifestyles Inquiries: 204-697-7390
Director, Advertising, Lifestyles Publications Charlene Adam Charlene.Adam@freepress.mb.ca
President & CEO Mike Power
SIGNS OF DEMENTIA
OF DEMENTIA EARLY WARNING SIGNS
BY KRISTIN MARAND
Almost 600,000 Canadians were living with some form of dementia in 2020, and that number is expected to jump to nearly a million people by 2030.
Dr. Barry Campbell geriatric psychiatrist
Dementia is the most likely cause of severe illness and disability for the average person and a person’s prospect of developing dementia increases with age. Dementia affects most older adults, so preparing for such an eventuality, taking good care of your health now and noticing early warning signs should be a top priority. “When you get dementia, you will be reliant on the
present you having made arrangements to look after the future you because you will be unable to make decisions for where you will live, how your money will be spent, what medical treatments you will receive, nor what you will eat,” explains geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Barry Campbell.
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4 MATURE
SIGNS OF DEMENTIA
Dementia affects most older adults, so preparing for such an eventuality, taking good care of your health now and noticing early warning signs should be a top priority.
MATURE 5
SIGNS OF DEMENTIA
The first evidence of dementia is usually subtle difficulties with complex activities, like having difficulties remembering passwords.
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your doctor about screening for cognitive impairments at your yearly check-up, suggests Dr. Campbell. One of the most challenging aspects of living with dementia is anosognosia – not knowing you have the disease. It is essential to address life planning so that if you are faced with a diagnosis, you can live and be cared for as you wish. Dr. Campbell stresses the importance of having a will and ascribing power of attorney and health care proxy. “You should probably shop around and decide which nursing home you like better than another. If you have a strong family history of dementia, you should consider advocating for your future self and the healthcare system. Try and do something so that when you are in a personal care home, your care is acceptable,” says Dr. Campbell.
an airport while travelling with his family. They laughed it off at the time, but as the man’s dementia progressed, it became clear that this was an early sign. Risk factors predisposing people to develop dementia include age, family history, head injuries, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, diabetes, midlife obesity, inactivity, high blood pressure and smoking. “Those are risk factors for heart disease but also risk factors for vascular dementia,” explains Dr. Campbell. “High blood pressure in the middle of your life might not cause you any trouble, but one of the reasons you get treated is to try to delay the time to which you’re going to develop vascular dementia.” Healthy living and noticing signs early can help distinguish whether you might be experiencing dementia or another illness. Ask
Dementias commonly have seven stages ranging from mild to severe cognitive and physical decline. The most common types of dementia include frontotemporal, Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body syndrome and vascular dementia. There are significant differences in symptoms across types, ranging from mood or personality changes to memory deficits, executive function problems and hallucinations. “The first evidence of dementia is usually subtle difficulties with complex activities,” says Dr. Campbell. “Getting in car accidents or having difficulties remembering passwords, or having negative work performance appraisals if you’re still working at that stage of your life. But usually, these things are only noticed or recognized as part of dementia in retrospect.” Dr. Campbell shared the story of an older man who became lost in
6 MATURE
ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF MANITOBA
WHERE TO TURN FOR DEMENTIA CARE BY JENNIFER MCFEE
It’s not always easy to know where to turn for help with dementia and related care, but it’s important to know that you are not alone.
According to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, about 62 percent of Manitobans know a family member or friend living with dementia. “Currently, there are over 600,000 Canadians living with dementia, and over 18,400 of those are Manitobans,” says Jessica Harper of the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. “This number is growing — and by 2050, it is expected to reach 39,100 Manitobans.” Dementia is a broad umbrella term describing a variety of symptoms that may include memory loss and mood changes, as well as difficulties with thinking, problem-solving and language, Harper explains. These symptoms are significant enough that they affect day- to-day abilities as well as a person’s ability to function at work, in social relationships or in general activities of daily living. “Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases or a series of strokes,” she adds. “As more brain cells become damaged over time, the symptoms of dementia gradually progress.” Many diseases can cause dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease is the most common, making up about 64 percent of dementia diagnoses in Canada. Other types include Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, mixed dementia and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. For Manitobans impacted by dementia, support is available.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Jessica Harper, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
MATURE 7
ALZHEIMER SOCIETY OF MANITOBA
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
“The Alzheimer Society can be an important support for people during times of transition and struggle. We’re the source of connection to credible resources and a community of people,” Harper says. “Supports are available to assist people no matter where they are in their dementia journey, from the first signs of cognitive changes in themselves or someone else to getting a diagnosis, responding to behaviour changes, future planning and navigating transitions in care.” The Alzheimer Society offers supportive counselling through the First Link® program. The organization also provides caregiver and professional education, as well as support groups for people living with dementia and their care partners.
“Currently, there are over 600,000 Canadians living with dementia, and over 18,400 of those are Manitobans.”
In addition, dementia-friendly community programming provides opportunities for people living with dementia to get out and participate in activities with their family members and friends. These programs include Art to Inspire classes at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, Tales Along the Trail hiking program at FortWhyte Alive, Journeys through the Zoo at Assiniboine Park Zoo, Minds in Motion fitness classes, Vivace Voices Choir and more. A formal diagnosis is not required to access services and supports through the Alzheimer Society. A physician or healthcare provider can provide a referral for Manitobans to access ongoing information and support, or people can call or email on their own, or even go to the website and fill out a request for a phone call. Through its programs and services, the Alzheimer Society strives to enhance the quality of life of those affected by dementia. And for those embarking on this journey, Harper offers some comforting words. “You are not alone,” she says. “Call us.” To learn more about Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, visit www.alzheimer.mb.ca, email alzmb@alzheimer.mb.ca or call 204-943-6622 in Winnipeg or 1-800-378-6699 throughout Manitoba.
8 MATURE
ALL SENIORS CARE
Older adults continue to blossom in their later years thanks to an inclusive community program designed to support those living with mild cognitive impairment. All Seniors Care launched the Blossom Living program two years ago to provide a sense of normalcy in a safe and nurturing environment. INCLUSIVE PROGRAM ALLOWS OLDER ADULTS TO BLOSSOM BY JENNIFER MCFEE
MATURE 9
ALL SENIORS CARE
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B lossom — which stands for “better living by overcom - ing safely and securely the obstacles of memory” — provides programming with a balance of physical, cognitive, sensory, social and spiritual activities. The forward-thinking curriculum is currently available at Shaftes- bury Park Retirement Residence, Sturgeon Creek I in Winnipeg and Victoria Landing in Brandon. When memory decline sets in, additional supports can help indi- viduals continue to grow and thrive in a welcoming environment that meets their changing needs. Blossom promotes person-cen- tred care within a secure build- ing monitored by dedicated staff members who are on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Through Blossom, residents maintain their roots in a supportive
Residence, has seen firsthand the encouraging outcomes since the program first started in July 2021. “It makes a huge difference. It integrates seniors who have mild to moderate cognitive impairment with residents who are otherwise living a little bit more indepen - dently in assisted living,” she says. “It’s very much focused on age- in-place living. The goal is to keep the resident in the driver’s seat, giving them the autonomy to make decisions but also support- ing them along the way.” The inclusive community al- lows friendships to grow with new people who share similar interests. Couples can live together while remaining active and indepen- dent, which can help them to maintain their health longer. The dual-stream programming allows couples to participate in activi-
community that can help reduce the progression of cognitive decline. Scheduled recreation activities focus on wellness and provide op- portunities for social enjoyment. Examples of activities include yoga and meditation, trivia hour, math practice, news review, chair danc- ing and much more. Nutrition is another main focus, with delicious “brain-healthy” menus that are continuously monitored. Brandi Bhullar, lifestyle director for Shaftesbury Park Retirement When memory decline sets in, additional supports can help individuals continue to grow and thrive in a welcoming environment that meets their changing needs.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
10 MATURE
ALL SENIORS CARE
“There are often many laughs being had at the engaging and entertaining programs. Staff have a wonderful way of making each program fun, welcoming and resident-focused.” Dr. Frank Knoefel, who monitored the development of Blossom, notes that a point often comes when it’s no longer safe for individuals with cognitive decline to live on their own. “A retirement community that offers a holistic approach with physical, cognitive and social stimulation is a great option. The challenge is when to move,” he says. “No one wants to leave their home sooner than absolutely necessary. A program like Blossom provides a path to earlier and hence easier transition.”
ties together, and the caregiving spouse can also enjoy some free time for self-care. “It gives the other partner a little bit more freedom to go out and do things without feeling they need to be responsible for that constant supervision,” Bhullar says. “It adds a really nice layer of support between what assisted living can do and what long-term care can do — all while keeping them in the same welcoming setting.” Friends and family members clearly see the benefits of the Blossom program as well. “I am lucky to experience the incredible activities and staff with a good friend and client that I visit regularly. She takes part in the Blossom group, which has well- organized, energetic and inclusive programs,” states a friend of a Blossom participant.
To learn more about Blossom Living, visit the All Seniors Care website at www.allseniorscare.com.
The inclusive community allows friendships to grow with new people who share similar interests.
MATURE 11
In my experience with progressing cognitive decline there is associated functional decline. Eventually
it is no longer safe for my patients to live alone. A retirement community that offers a holistic approach with physical, cognitive and social stimulation is a great option. The challenge is when to move? No one wants to leave their home sooner than absolutely necessary. Yet the sooner they move, the easier it will be to adapt to the new secured environment – and the longer they will be able to stay in one place. The longer they wait, the worse the cognition will be, and the more difficult the change to a new environment. A program like Blossom provides a path to earlier and hence easier transition. — Dr. Frank Knoefel
Frank Knoefel, BSc, MD, CCFP (CoE), FCFP, MPA , Physician, Bruyère Memory Program, Bruyère Continuing Care , is a physician trained in care of the elderly with extensive experience in geriatric rehabilitation. He holds appointments as a ssociate p rofessor, d epartment of f amily m edicine at the University of Ottawa, and a djunct p rofessor in the d epartment of s ystems and c omputer e ngineering at Carleton University. He is also a c linical s cientist at the Bruyère Research Institute through a partnership between the University of Ottawa and Bruyère Continuing Care. Dr. Knoefel has previously held the roles of c hief of s taff, v ice- p resident of m edical a ffairs, and h ealth i nformatics at Bruyère Continuing Care.
www.allseniorscare.com
12 MATURE
Introducing BLOSSOM LIVING BLOSSOM has been created to support all residents in an inclusive community. Living in a safe and secure environment gives individuals with mild cognitive impairment the opportunity to thrive and grow. As we age memory decline sets in and additional support is very appreciated. From carefully developed programming that provide a balance of p hysical, c ognitive, s ensory, s ocial and s piritual activities to b rain h ealthy menu selections we focus on the complete person. Strengths of BLOSSOM
• Building is secure and monitored. • Promotes person-centred care. • Meets the needs of all residents including those living with cognitive decline. • Ensures a safe and welcoming environment for all residents, staff, volunteers and visitors. • Staffing 24/7 that is well trained, energetic, caring and creative. Benefits of BLOSSOM • Putting down roots in a community that is safe, secure, and supported significantly helps reduce the progression of cognitive impairment. - Helping with the development of routines . - Allowing greater enjoyment of stimulating activities. - Meeting new people with similar interests . - Becoming familiar and comfortable with surroundings. • Maintaining health longer. • Living and s taying together more affordabl y . • All residents can qualify. • Individuals remain active and independent. • Creates an inclusive community for all residents.
www.allseniorscare.com
MATURE 13
POLO PARK HEARING CENTRE
25 YEARS OF EXCELLENT SERVICE POLO PARK HEARING CENTRE
BY CHARLENE ADAM
service of home visits. It’s so important to many of their clients. Manitobans may have both hearing and mobility issues. Having hearing technician specialists go to the home of the client is vital for those who just can’t easily drive or need assistance such as those with dementia. They even “go to nursing homes and hospitals,” explains Holden. The centre offers additional services such as
Most of us take hearing for granted. A baby’s first laugh, the punch line to a funny joke or even a favourite song are sounds that make life more enjoyable. When these gifts are muted, it’s important to seek ex- pertise. Leslie Holden, owner of Polo Park Hearing Centre, understands this well. Her family-owned company has helped Manito- bans achieve optimum hearing capacity for 25 years.
ear plug fittings, testing for ear, nose and throat doc- tors’ and workplace hear- ing baseline tests for em- ployment purposes. Holden believes in giving back to the industry and the overall community. She was the past president of the Canadian Hearing Instru- ment Practitioners Society and the current Canadian governor for the Interna- tional Hearing Society In partnership with the Starkey Hearing Founda- tion, Holden and her hus- band Kent have travelled around the world assisting
Born from the goal of giv- ing fantastic, stable service Holden explains that the key to their success is that “staff love what they do.” They understand the impor- tance of what they provide to clients. “Just look at our reviews,” notes Holden. We have a very caring office,” she adds. One employee, Rita, has worked with Hold- en since their doors opened. Her two daughters have joined PPHC, too. Both have taken the tinnitus care provider certificate program. Often induced
Manitobans may have both hearing and mobility issues. Having hearing technician specialists go to the home of the client is vital for those who just can’t easily drive or need assistance such as those with dementia.
children and adults by offering their servic- es. Giving children the ability to hear is so rewarding. Holden explained how satisfying this work is “when you see their faces.” Having access to wonderful hearing spe- cialists is “something we take for granted, “Holden notes. Getting great service from her team sounds like something clients can take for granted, too.
by noise events or medication complica- tions, tinnitus is complex. Constant ringing or buzzing can interfere with hearing. Those who suffer from tinnitus know that it can be distressing beyond causing hearing issues. The training blends techniques to lessen the effects of tinnitus while also offering clients with important counselling. Polo Park Hearing Centre provides the rare
14 MATURE
POLO PARK HEARING CENTRE
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Front: Mandy, Kerry, Leslie, Candice, Back: Rita, Gretchen, from family-owned Polo Park Hearing Centre.
MATURE 15
DEMENTIA PREVENTION
The best way to reduce the risk of developing dementia is to live a healthy lifestyle and by being socially connected, engaged and active.
16 MATURE
DEMENTIA PREVENTION
TECH
HEALTHY LIVING FOR DEMENTIA PREVENTION
A discussion with incoming Alzheimer Society of Manitoba CEO Erin Crawford
BY KRISTIN MARAND
slow the progression of dementia.” The best way to reduce the risk of developing dementia is to live a healthy lifestyle and by being socially connected, engaged and active. This can be as simple as making plans to have lunch with friends, play golf or exercising your brain through stimulating activities such as puzzles, learning a language or playing an instrument. Crawford points out that we often don’t make time to take care of our own needs, and when it comes to risk reduction, activities that may seem leisurely are also an ounce of prevention. “Go get yourself a golf club membership, join a curling or a bridge club, or go for a walk with your friends. Those kinds of things are important. Take care of your hearing. Take care of your sleep,” Crawford advises. “A dementia diagnosis is a scary thing. Let’s let that motivate us to do some of the things we know we ought to be doing and don’t always do.”
As program director at the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba, Erin Crawford oversaw all the programs run for people with dementia and their care partners. This includes research, advocacy, education, support groups, counselling and recreation opportunities. Moving into the position of CEO is a natural fit, as she brings her wealth of knowledge and offers encouraging words on the state of current research and hope for the future. “There’s still a lot that we don’t know about dementia,” Crawford admits. “But there’s been a lot of interesting developments in the last few years around prevention - what we’re more often calling risk reduction. We do a lot of work educating the general public and people who already have a dementia diagnosis around exercise, healthy eating, avoiding smoking and drinking and the potential for that to reduce your risk of developing dementia or helping to
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MATURE 17
DEMENTIA PREVENTION
For older adults looking to maintain their cognitive abilities, Crawford suggests confronting isolation. Find an activity that you enjoy and that you are able to participate in; ideally, something that is both mentally and socially engaging.
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between hearing loss and dementia. Addressing something as seemingly innocuous as mild hearing loss early can help reduce the risk of a more severe or faster dementia diagnosis. “The state of dementia research is both exciting and frustrating,” says Crawford. “The pace of dementia research, understanding and discovery has really accelerated. New treatments have come out in the last couple of years, and though they’ve generally not been as successful as there was hope that they would be, I think the research community generally sees that as a positive thing. If you’re doing enough research to generate potential treatments, even if they fail, it says something really positive about the direction of the work that’s happening in the research community.” “There’s still mystery involved in dementia, but it is unravelling, and as it does, we expect we’ll have more options. But in the meantime, that’s where we come back to risk reduction. Let’s use the things that we do know. Let’s take those seriously and do what we can to avoid having to rely on the research down the road.”
For older adults looking to maintain their cognitive abilities, Crawford suggests confronting isolation. Find an activity that you enjoy and that you are able to participate in; ideally, something that is both mentally and socially engaging. The Alzheimer Society has a wealth of resources to connect a person with recreational opportunities. “Join a new program. Find out what’s being offered at your local seniors center. And if you’re not the kind of person who generally is involved in those sorts of things, muster up that courage and go and see what’s there. Because it really can make a big difference for you,” she says. Through generous support, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba contributed over 30 million dollars to research last year alone. While a definitive cause of dementia has yet to be conclusively established, current research on early detection is promising and further underscores the importance of healthy living to reduce risk. Crawford shared that research is increasingly showing that there is a connection
18 MATURE
DEMENTIA SUPPORT
FOR CAREGIVERS CARING
BY TODD LEWYS
When Marianne Nolin first noticed her mom’s mildly erratic behaviour, she didn’t think much of it.
“I thought she was going through changes,” she recalls. “I just chalked it up to her getting different as she aged.” Then, her mom’s behaviour became more than erratic. In some instances, it changed completely. “She had always been active doing things like sewing and crocheting,” says Nolin. “It just stopped, and then she stopped cooking.” As it turned out, Marianne’s mother was exhibiting two key warning signs of dementia: difficulty performing familiar tasks and a loss of initiative. “I never thought it was dementia. When I thought back about her behaviour, I realized there were signs of it going back several years. I wish I had known the signs and been able to recognize them.” Suffice it to say; the past four years have been quite a journey for Nolin, who retired early from the disability management field to take care of her mom.
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MATURE 19
DEMENTIA SUPPORT
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She suffered two serious health events this past winter, a clear indicator that something had to change. “My doctor said that I had to step back. It was hard to hear that because I felt like I was being selfish. But he was right. I had to start putting myself first.” At long last, she did just that. First, Nolin got counselling at the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. Then, she joined an Alzheimer’s support group. “I got a wonderful life support coordinator, Amanda, at the Alzheimer Society,” says Nolin. “She listened to me, provoked thought
my life,” Nolin says. “She was basically living through me. The care was almost 24/7, and she called me 20 times a day. It was extremely demanding looking after her finances, medical needs and daily living needs.” And while she knew she needed to educate herself better about dementia and Alzheimer’s, she just didn’t have the energy to reach out after a long day of caregiving. “On some level, I knew there were resources. I was just too tired to call.” Eventually – as is often the case with sole caregivers – the relentless workload took its toll on Nolin.
“I always had a close relationship with her. We were very tight, and she relied on me for everything,” she says. “So I thought taking care of her would be a natural transition.” That wasn’t the case. For starters, Marianne felt like she was on her own because the medical system provided little or no information on how to deal with a family member suffering from dementia. Before long, she found herself struggling to cope with someone whose cognitive abilities were seemingly eroding daily. “Being her caregiver took over
11 WARNING SIGNS OF DEMENTIA
1 Memory loss that affects day-to-day abilities. 2 Difficulty performing familiar tasks. 3 Problems with language. 4 Disorientation to time and place. 5 Impaired judgment. 6 Problems with abstract thinking. 7 Misplacing things. 8 Changes in mood & behaviour. 9 Changes in personality. 10 Loss of initiative; being passive or disinterested. 11 Challenges understanding visual and spatial information.
20 MATURE
FINANCES
BY TODD LEWYS
DEMENTIA SUPPORT
and talked things out with me. My physician also suggested that I try out a support group.” Like the counselling from the Alzheimer Society, the support group was a life changer. “I had my first session on May first. I was shocked at how similar our stories were. Best of all, I didn’t feel exhausted – it was a good outlet. I’ve also watched videos, too. It’s all been worth the effort.” With her mom recently moving from an assisted living apartment to a personal care home, Nolin says she’s ready for the next step in her caregiving journey. “I’ve done the best I can. I
the responsibility of looking after parents with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. “There’s got to be a way for healthcare professionals and the medical system to do a better job of providing information,” she says. “It can be such a lonely journey. Resources are critical because dementia is a challenge of a lifetime. Changes happen so fast, so dealing with everything can be so overwhelming. That’s why resources need to be easily accessible.”
now know what the outcome will be – this is my mom’s end-of-life journey. I will take the best steps for her and deal with it. But I need to look after myself.” Nolin adds that there must be far more support made available for those charged with Resources are critical because dementia is a challenge of a lifetime. Changes happen so fast, so dealing with everything can be so overwhelming.
To find out more about dementia or reach out for support, visit alzheimer.mb.ca.
2981 Winnipeg 7.125 x 4.875 204-816-8659
Easy is always on hand. Open your freezer to many easy meals made especially for seniors, delivered for free*.
Locally owned by Fred Pennell Get your FREE Menu 204-816-8659 HeartToHomeMeals.ca *Some conditions may apply.
MATURE 21
DEMENTIA RESOURCES
dementia. The Government of Manitoba also made a $1,300,000 commitment to be dispersed over the next four years. This funding has been transformational for the Society, significantly increasing the number of staff, almost doubling their capacity to connect with families and provide the support they need. The next step is focusing on outreach and expansion of education programs to better meet the needs of families. RESEARCH The Landmark Study is a three- part research series compiled and developed by the Alzheimer Society of Canada. The first report “Navigating the Path Forward for Dementia in Canada,” includes forecasts on the number of people in Canada expected to be living with dementia over the next three decades, including breakdowns, based on sex and type of dementia, and forecasts for each province. The study also looks at the impact of Canada’s ageing population on care partners and outlines steps that government at all levels, as well as individuals, can take to help mitigate the risk of developing dementia. Delaying the onset of dementia by even one year can reduce the impact of dementia. The next two reports will be issued in fall 2023 and 2024 and can be found in the ‘reports on dementia’ section of the Alzheimer Society of Canada website.
The reality of facing dementia can be overwhelming but there has been increased support that will help those living with dementia now and in the future. Generous funding initiatives have led to increased staffing and support capabilities. New research has provided a better understanding of how dementia impacts the population and the health care system generally. As people develop a better understanding of the impacts of dementia, new
RESOURCES The Alzheimer Society has several dementia-friendly
community programs to bring those with dementia and their caregivers together to learn, create or exercise in an inclusive environment. People get to socialize, learn from each other and support one another at programs such as: Art to Inspire at the Winnipeg Art Gallery Vivace Voices Choir at Canadian Mennonite University
dementia-friendly resources, education and programming are increasing every year. FUNDING
In the fall of 2022, the Jessiman Foundation generously stepped in with a $500,000 gift over four years to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba’s First Link® program. As you read on p.8, the First Link® program connects families impacted by dementia with resources and support early and throughout the progression of the disease to help them build skills and resiliency when facing this journey. The Jessiman family then invited the community to join them in their support, and in a matter of months, their gift was matched by a whole host of Manitobans committed to supporting people living with
Tales Along the Trail at FortWhyte Alive
Journeys Through the Zoo at Assiniboine Park Zoo A Journey in Time at the Manitoba Museum Minds in Motion®
Building Dementia-Friendly Communities, a new online course available at alzheimer.mb.ca, provides a foundational knowledge of dementia and considerations that organizations can implement in their social and physical environments to better support and include people living with dementia. To stay up to date with the latest developments with the Society, sign up for their monthly newsletter or visit their website at Alzheimer.mb.ca.
22 MATURE
Watch for the 2023 Active Aging Week supplement in the Free Press on Saturday, September 16!
Active Aging WEEK OCTOBER 2–8, 2023
Advertising Inquiries: 204-697-7390
View more Free Press publications online at: winnipegfreepress.com/lifestyles
BLOSSOM has been created to give all residents, including those living with mild cognitive impairment, the opportunity to thrive and grow.
Benefits of BLOSSOM
• Maintain health longer. • Spouses are able to stay together more affordably.
• Putting down roots in a community that is safe, secure, and supported significantly helps reduce the progression of cognitive impairment.
Sturgeon Creek I 10 Hallonquist Dr. 204.885.1415
Victoria Landing 10 Victoria Ave. E 204.571.6000
Brandon
Winnipeg
Where Caring is Our Number One Concern™
www.allseniorscare.com
Shaftesbury Park 905 Shaftesbury Blvd. 204.885.7272
PROUDLY
CANADIAN
Call to find out more!
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