help for today... hope for tomorrow www.alzheimer.mb.ca Provincial Office 10-120 Donald Street Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2 Tel (204) 943-6622 Fax (204) 942-5408 Email: [email protected] Westman Region Office 4B-457 9th Street Brandon, MB R7A 1K2 Tel (204) 729-8320 Fax (204) 726-1082 Email: [email protected] South Central Region Office 204 Main Street PO BOX 119 Winkler, MB R6W 4A4 Tel (204) 325-5634 Fax (204) 325-6496 Email: [email protected] North Central Region Office 21 Royal Road South Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 1T8 Tel (204) 239-4898 Fax (204) 239-0902 Email: [email protected] North Eastman Region Office PO BOX 1786 Beausejour, MB R0E 0C0 Tel (204) 268-4752 Fax (204) 268-4799 Email: [email protected] 09-10 help for today... hope for tomorrow Annual Report Executive Message Program Highlights The baby boomers are aging. Today, THEN – Each of us needs to ensure over half a million Canadians have the people who we elect to represent “I don’t feel alone anymore, I know where to go for help.” Alzheimer’s disease or another form of us locally, provincially and nationally dementia. In just one generation – by are committed to a Dementia Strategy Last year, 3,173 individual services were provided to Manitobans the time our children or grandchildren that can be adopted by all levels of who requested information or support about dementia. Clients become adults - there will be over one government to affect changes in health received these services via telephone calls, office visits or e-mails. million Canadians with dementia. The care. There were 2,620 open client files at the close of the year. numbers are scary. This is not about our parent’s generation – this is about ours. LAST – but certainly not least, we need to support family caregivers who “Very informative, very good ideas – We need to act now. We can’t just sit back are struggling with the overwhelming and wait. Hope lies in making changes emotional and financial hardships of it will make our journey easier.” L to R: Pearl Soltys, President & Sylvia Rothney, CEO today that will lessen dementia’s providing care. crippling effect on our families, health Our “Living with Alzheimer’s Disease” workshops were attended by 135 caregivers. Over care system and economy. A study released earlier this year tells us 90% of participants indicate an increase in knowledge of dementia and caregiving skills. that in Manitoba alone, family caregivers Board of Directors So what can we do to help stem this provide 9 Million hours of care each President – Pearl Soltys rising tide? year. Think about what 9 million hours of Vice President – Julie James staff time means to corporate budgets. Secretary/Treasurer – Lesley Koven FIRST - Each of us needs to learn about In 30 years, if nothing changes, this “It’s good for me to meet Past President – Judy Mathieson prevention and caring for our brain number will increase to 22 Million others in the same situation Eileen Mead health… the benefits of physical activity, hours. But change is possible, and Carol Paradine changes we can make in our diet and within our reach. The work we do today and to have some laughs.” Kim Powell other parts of our lives, to reduce our is an investment in helping our children BJ Reid risk of developing dementia. And we and grandchildren cope with dementia The Alzheimer Society hosted four weekly support groups for people Wendy Schettler Gerry Walker need to learn about the importance of and Alzheimer’s disease. with dementia last year with 39 participants. Howard Zacharias early diagnosis. Our 2009-10 Annual Report will give NEXT – We need to significantly increase you more details of the work that the amount of money spent on research, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba There are 30 Caregiver Support Groups who meet in to learn more about prevention, and does every day. We hope that you will communities across Manitoba. In total, 207 meetings discover a treatment that will delay continue to support our cause and our were held and 149 people attended a group for the first the onset of dementia and reduce its organization. time during the past year. impact substantially. “It’s really cathartic for me. I slept well after the first meeting.” There are two Teleconference support groups available. A group focusing on the needs of care partners of younger people with dementia was inaugurated in September of What is Alzheimer’s disease and dementia? 2009. Alzheimer’s disease is the most widespread of a large class of disorders that clinically are known as “dementias”, which are diseases characterized by a progressive deterioration of thinking, ability and of memory. Alzheimer’s disease is a disease of “I feel safer now. There’s a plan in place in case my Dad the brain, in which nerve cells die and their connections with other nerve cells are lost. wanders away again.” In most cases, the disease progresses slowly, but the rate of decline is extremely variable and changes from person to person. In many instances it may be preceded by a few years of Mild Cognitive Impairment, a condition in which true dementia 1,007 people are currently registered with our Safely Home program. is absent, but nevertheless memory and cognitive functions are detectably reduced. In Alzheimer’s disease, forgetfulness Information sessions about Safely Home were provided to Search and gradually increases, and in the later stages even close family members may fail to be recognized. The ability to carry out Rescue Volunteers, Winnipeg City Police Cadets and RCMP. A total of normal activities such as reading, driving, and cooking gradually decreases, as does the ability to make judgments and 190 Emergency Service personal were reached. appropriate responses to everyday issues. We’re offering bite-sized information sessions on special topics. Last year, a Financial Assistance through Tax Credits session was developed. There can also be behavioral changes such as uninhibited behaviour, repetitive actions, delusional thinking, depression, A session on Elder Driving is planned for next year. disturbances of balance and movement, and an inability for people to find their way even in familiar surroundings. In time the affected persons become unable to look after themselves and caregivers become essential for all aspects of daily living. 60% of participants said they could now complete tax benefits forms Alzheimer’s disease is ultimately fatal, and death usually occurs within seven to 10 years after diagnosis. with ease. 1 executive message program highlights 2 “Faces light up, eyes shine, laughter is heard, and words Research are recalled when sensory In 2009-10, The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba directed $75,774 to fund research approved through the National Research Program connections are made.” of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. We are proud to announce that we will be doubling our research commitment in 2010-11. The Alzheimer Touch Quilts Project was launched with sponsorship from Blue Cross and Manitoba Community Services Council. So far, 185 quilts MANITOBA RESEARCH LINKS have been donated to residents of personal care homes in Manitoba. DIABETES TO DEMENTIA The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba is leaving the brain more vulnerable to the proud to announce groundbreaking effects of the disease,” said Dr. Glazner. research being funded in 2010. “We have evidence that the main TDr. Gordon Glazner, principal investigator component of toxic Alzheimer’s plaques, in the Division of Neurodegenerative namely Amyloid beta, may normally act Dr. Gordon Glazner “I will look more deeply into our residents’ feelings, needs and wants - Disorders at St. Boniface Research to stimulate the insulin pathway, thus a healthy diet, exercise, boosting insulin Centre is leading a team looking into the protecting the brain. However, too much receptors while controlling insulin a more person-centred approach.” link between diabetes and dementia. insulin or Amyloid can overload the levels and combining those efforts with insulin system causing the protective In recent years, scientists have found current drugs that obstruct Amyloid beta Our P.I.E.C.E.S. education program was delivered to 57 senior leaders and response to be lost. Amyloid then builds evidence that diabetes (especially type buildup. to 364 frontline staff at personal care homes during the fiscal year. up to a higher concentration until it starts two diabetes) and dementia are very to amass and form a toxic compound. “Advances in medicine now allow us closely related. The questions remained Our annual conference was attended by 462 professional caregivers. In the absence of the protection given to expect a healthy lifespan up to 85 though, why and how? by the insulin system, this now toxic or 90. Alzheimer’s disease and other A total of 66 educational opportunities were offered to professional groups Dr. Glazner and his team of researchers Amyloid can cause damage to brain age-related dementias are only the with a combined attendance of 1,468. have discovered that there is a specific cells. The whole system, once it starts most recent of the deadly diseases relationship between the two diseases. to fail, can then collapse in a vicious that humanity has focused on. From feedback cycle. It may all start from the infectious disease like polio to cancer “It has to do with insulin and how the loss of the insulin protective system.” and heart disease, there has never been insulin system changes when a person an affliction that we haven’t been able The Alzheimer Society continues to be a sought after presenter at all kinds of has diabetes,” explained Dr. Glazner. “Some of the drugs we have out there “It was helpful to learn to at least push back and effectively public meetings including church groups, employee groups and sororities.