A new program from the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba combines physical and mentally stimulating activities for people with early to mid-stage signs of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias.
Minds in Motion will be offered for eight consecutive weeks at the Wellness Institute at Seven Oaks General Hospital and the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg beginning in mid-October.
The program offers an environment to establish new friendships with others living similar experiences. The two main components include 45 to 60 minutes of physical exercise led by a trained physical activity program leader, and 45 to 60 minutes of mentally stimulating activities facilitated by the Minds in Motion program coordinator and volunteers.
“Bringing together people with dementia and their care partners is the opportunity to normalize the relationship in a way that is not influenced by illness,” said Maria Mathews, manager of family education, Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. “Minds in Motion helps care partners to focus on their own health as well, rather than focusing exclusively on the needs of the person they are caring for.”
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, an opportunity to remind Manitobans about the importance of their brain health.
— Staff
