Being active. Enjoying incredible moments. Having fun. These aren’t the kinds of things that pop into your head when you think about dementia, right? But the reality is, thousands of people in our community who are living with dementia are doing exactly this.
They’re out playing pickleball, chess and crushing their friends at a game of pool. They’re chatting it up at coffee shops and going to the market. Enjoying the latest podcasts and helping make delicious meals.
The StillMe social movement is calling us to overcome stereotypes and see people with dementia as who they are first, before their disease. Many people, for months and even years after a diagnosis, are still able to embrace life to its fullest. Led by the Alzheimer Society of Calgary, StillMe is about building awareness and shifting the perception of dementia while reducing our lifetime risk.
The society highlights tons of activities that help reduce your risk of dementia, and if you know someone impacted, how to include them. By doing activities that stimulate both the mind and body, anyone can reduce their risk of dementia. And for people already living with the condition, staying engaged and active can help delay the progression of symptoms, allowing them to live well for even longer.
It’s easy to modify activities for people with dementia. Here’s how real locals are doing it:
- Kevin, a marathon runner, adjusted his running route to a shorter, more familiar loop. He now runs the loop repeatedly to create similar distances to what he was previously running.
- Steve loves baking, but gets overwhelmed with recipes. His partner helps break them down into smaller, more manageable segments. Now he bakes a cake one day and does the frosting the next.
The great thing about modifying activities means there’s less pressure, but you can still do the things you love. Does it really matter if your daily walk gets shorter because you stopped to take in the view? Or if you spend more time tasting the ingredients and telling stories than actually cooking? Stress reduction and social activity is fantastic for reducing your risk of dementia, too. It’s more about the activity and the connection, and less about the results.
So, while you’re out there challenging your mind and body, think about the great work you’re doing to keep your brain healthy for a lifetime.
And if you have a person with dementia in your life, consider bringing them along. There are lots of ways to make it happen.
Check out our latest page for more activities and ways to modify them.
Another way to get moving and help reduce your risk? Join the Alzheimer Calgary Walk and Run presented by Trico LivingWell, where more than 1,500 people of all ages come together for the cause at Prince’s Island Park.
To read more inspiring stories and learn about how Calgarians are embracing life through the StillMe movement, visit stillme.ca. Join us in shifting perceptions of dementia and supporting everyone impacted in Calgary and surrounding areas. #stillmeyyc #DementiaAwareness.
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