Finding moments for treasure – Winnipeg Free Press

Life continues after the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

This is one of the key messages of this year's Alzheimer's Monthly Campaign launched on 7 January by the local Alzheimer's Society Manitoba. Campaigns this year are: "Yes. I live with dementia. Let me help you understand."

Officials say that the campaign's prerequisite is to help others understand what it means to live with dementia, and it reflects different people across the country living with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia and one of the main goals of the campaign is to help change the treatment the stigma associated with it, as well as raising awareness of the signs of illness and encouraging families to seek help and support.

Terry, the father of Christ's law, was diagnosed three years ago when he started Alzheimer's disease when he was 63 years old, and the last three years have been great learning curves; her mother, Jan; and her sisters, Kerri Pleskach and Tara Liske.

"It has been an important journey for us," said a law living in Norwood Flats Lance. "There have been many changes we have made to a new reality and we have found different ways to interact with our father. We always try to talk about silver lining, so now we can go with the flow and let things go."

"And I think that as a family we now communicate more and process our feelings about what is a huge step. Society has helped us talk about it, and I think we've got closer to the family. Try to find something happiness that can be so different and difficult to solve, and you need to find moments of joy and moments of treasure. "

Now in a care home and needing a lot of help with daily functions, the father of the law will have days when he is "very excited" to see his family, but can't remember their names. Despite this, the law said it was important to try to stay positive and enjoyable.

"He can feel emotions and he will respond to a familiar smiling face," the law says. "And it is important that they are not frustrated or corrected with them, because something can suddenly break them down."

Speaking of warning signals, the law said over time that her family gradually began to notice things about Terry's behavior or actions that might be considered somewhat unusual or out of character.

"At first, it was a few things like he could go to the wrong seat or grab some other drink. He too was usually the driver and he started to travel to the passenger side," she said.

In another case, the law said her dad played checkers with her six-year-old granddaughter.

"Dad was always a great strategy man, and this time he fought to play checkers against his niece and didn't know what to do. When my sisters turned it on, my mom said she started noticing his sense of direction started and had many type of case. "

The law is grateful for the support of the Manzoba Alzheimer's Society, located at 10-120. In the Donald St., across the family travel.

"The society has been a huge support and resource for us, and everyone there has been completely amazing and unbelievable to deal with it," she said, noting that her family had been associated with various support groups and sessions.

In a press release, Manitoba's executive director Wendy Shetler's Alzheimer's Society said it was important to "talk to experts – people who live every day".

"We believe that sharing the dementia-based Manitoban will promote a more open, supportive and inclusive dialogue around dementia and give confidence to others who have the disease to live the best."

For more information that includes multiple resources, visit alzheimer.mb.ca online.