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Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County 40th Anniversary

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Walking with thousands of families over the years

Janet Menard can clearly recall the day she met her future husband, Tom. It was back in 1961, just as the young woman was entering the convent. “I never made it back,” she says with a smile. Together, the Windsor couple raised a family of seven children and delighted in their 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Sharing memories became a precious priority in a race against time, ever since Tom’s diagnosis of dementia six years ago.

Seeing Tom in decline earlier this summer, son Christopher quickly gathered photos from his relatives and friends and had an album professionally printed. Upon receiving it, Tom became very focused. “He sat for three hours, going through these memories and naming people. He traced their faces, touched their chests and then his chest. It was Dad’s moment of showing us what was important to him. It was very special,” Christopher says. “He went to sleep that night and never really came around again.”

Tom, age 81, passed away several days later on July 27. Fortunately, COVID-19 restrictions had eased then, enabling the family to say their goodbyes in the preceding days and then gather for the funeral.

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Tom and Janet Menard’s story is a beautiful testament to the lives touched by the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County.
Tom and Janet Menard’s story is a beautiful testament to the lives touched by the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County. Photo by ASWE

Though dementia can leave both the person living with it and their caregiver feeling isolated, Tom and Janet were able to expand their world by connecting with the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County (ASWE).

The organization has helped thousands of people since 1981, when the local chapter was established by Marilyn Brown-Skinner and George Sims. The two friends assisted one another as they cared for people with dementia in their own lives. Recognizing the need for greater supports and information-sharing, they invited other families and caregivers to join them and formally grow ASWE.

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The two friends who established the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County in 1981, Marilyn Brown-Skinner and George Sims.
The two friends who established the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County in 1981, Marilyn Brown-Skinner and George Sims. Photo by ASWE

Today, Alzheimer Society chapters like ASWE are at work in more than 150 Canadian communities, providing programs and services while supporting research to find the cause and the cure.

ASWE transitions with the times, even during the pandemic. Current in-person and virtual programs offered throughout Windsor and Essex County include the Adult Day Program, In-home Respite Care, Education and Support Services, First Link®, Minds in Motion® and Memory Café.

Grateful for the resourcefulness and resiliency of ASWE staff, clients, volunteers and donors in COVID-19, the organization celebrates its fortieth anniversary with a new sense of determination and hope.

With ASWE’s involvement, “people can be more than the disease and live,” Christopher observes.

Tom’s symptoms initially presented as rummaging through drawers, wandering and dropping memories. After decades of shuttling his kids and then grandkids to school and work, losing his licence “was a big thing for him. It was part of Dad’s identity,”
Christopher says. Facing increasing losses, Tom welcomed opportunities offered by ASWE.

“The Society found ways through their programs to give Dad something that was his,” says Christopher. Tom loved going to the Adult Day Program. Playing games with his friends, “he knew they were dealing with what he was dealing with.”

When COVID-19 hit, ASWE didn’t miss a beat. “They went online with a lot of their programs. I’d log in Dad on his device so he could participate,” Christopher says. “The Society dropped off care packages, stress balls to help with stress and grip, funny puzzles and treats for him and my mom. They would bring dinners – things my parents looked forward to. ASWE also offered mom support services and gave her opportunity to talk about what they were experiencing.”

“This organization is incredible at making people feel they are not on their own,” says Christopher, whose family regards the ASWE team as an extension of their own.

At Tom’s celebration of life, the funeral home displayed digital photos on a screen that represented his many years. “Those photos reminded you of who he was before dementia took over. You spend so much time focusing on what Dad lost that you forget what he had along the way,” Christopher notes. It was wonderful “seeing this strong, confident guy” – the person Tom would want people to remember.

ASWE preserved the Menards’ journey on a podcast at www.facebook.com/AlzheimerSocietyOfWindsorEssexCounty/posts/4107889179276229 and www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1axoE0Fwi8


World Alzheimer’s Day

Helping Windsor-Essex become Dementia Friendly Communities

Gradually weakening memory and the ability to perform even simple skills, irreversible Alzheimer disease and other dementias impact the health of more than half a million Canadians aged 30 years and older. Approximately 8,060 of them are residing in Windsor and Essex County.

“World Alzheimer’s Day on Tues., Sept. 21 is a great opportunity for us to recognize and support those in our families and communities who are affected by dementia. Many people still don’t really understand what dementia is or how it affects people. Others think that you are not really a person anymore and that your life is over,” says Sally Bennett Olczak, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County (ASWE). “The way to understanding and acceptance is through knowledge and having open discussions.”

A meaningful conversation starter is for everyone to wear blue on Sept. 21, signifying their support of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. #GoBlueForAlz #worldalzheimerday #ASWE

LOCAL AWARD PRESENTATION ON WORLD ALZHEIMER’S DAY

Challenging stigmas and providing beneficial assistance is made possible through efforts of grassroots supporters. On World Alzheimer’s Day, ASWE is recognizing the contributions of two individuals, Don Martel and James Scott. At an outdoor World Alzheimer’s Day ceremony at ASWE’s office at 2135 Richmond St. in Windsor, both men will receive the Generosity of Spirit award for their philanthropic leadership and superior local fundraising activities in advancing the cause.

For over 18 years, Scott has donated in memory of loved ones who have passed due to dementia. The businessowner and president of Ground Effects Ltd. engages his staff in adding their support. For example, he personally matches staff donations to ASWE’s Coffee Break Campaign. Scott’s five-year commitment to the ASWE Caregiver RX Matching Gift Campaign has helped the initiative become the organization’s most significant fundraiser. By nominating ASWE for Inspiration 100 philanthropic funds, Scott was instrumental in securing a $10,000 grant for ASWE last year.

Award recipient James Scott has donated to the cause for the past 18 years.
Award recipient James Scott has donated to the cause for the past 18 years. Photo by ASWE
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Professional photographer Don Martel raised more than $40,000 for ASWE by cycling across Canada, first east to west in 2015 and then north to south in 2018. On May 20, 2020, Martel cycled 24 hours non-stop through Windsor and Essex County to celebrate his 62nd birthday and did the same in 2021. Plans are underway for another round-the-clock local ride, plus an ambitious pedal around the planet to raise funds. The photographer also invites his Friday night students to donate to ASWE in lieu of paying photography class fees.

Professional photographer Don Martel raised more than $40,000 for ASWE by cycling across Canada.
Professional photographer Don Martel raised more than $40,000 for ASWE by cycling across Canada. Photo by ASWE

“Our Society couldn’t be more delighted with our board of directors’ selection of this year’s recipients,” Bennett says. “Mr. Martel is an example of the power of one, and Mr. Scott highlights the power of community support.”

DEMENTIA FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES
People diagnosed with dementia usually prefer to live at home and in their communities for as long as possible. Familiar faces and surroundings are reassuring and help them feel connected. Yet even long-time friends may not know how to interact as the disease progresses. ASWE offers free online training so individuals can become Dementia Friends and neighbourhoods can become Dementia Friendly Communities – where people living with dementia are understood, respected and supported.

The Art Gallery of Windsor, South Essex Community Council, Reid Funeral Home, WEST of Windsor, Windsor Public Library and Windsor Police Services are among the organizations that have already taken Dementia Friendly Community training.

Sharing a laugh, enjoying a meal together and going on simple outings can create happy moments for people living with dementia and their Dementia Friends. Such positive, normal engagement increases quality of life for everybody.

For more information, please contact Cindy Keo at 519-974-2220, ext. 224 or email at ckeo@aswecare.com


Leave behind a legacy gift to ASWE

Consider a charitable gift left in your will to aid the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County

Preserving your memory by leaving a legacy in your will is an impactful way to make a difference after you are gone.

Through arrangements in your will, you can designate a charitable donation to aid the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County (ASWE). Whatever the size, your generous gift will help the local organization continue providing support programs, educational resources and referral services to ease the burden of care and improve the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

A charitable gift left in your will to the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County leaves a powerful, lasting legacy of support.
A charitable gift left in your will to the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County leaves a powerful, lasting legacy of support. Photo by ASWE
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Just one percent bequeathed to ASWE will truly count, leaving the remainder of your estate to your loved ones.

Consider taking advantage of the Canadian government’s tax incentives, which actually encourage citizens to give more to charity in their wills. With proper planning, a sizeable charitable gift left in your will can potentially significantly reduce taxes. This strategy benefits both your charity of choice and your heirs.

To assist donors, ASWE has partnered with the Canadian Association of Gift Planners on its Will Power public education campaign, designed to inspire Canadians to think differently about charitable giving and empower them to create positive change through their wills. A free online legacy calculator at www.willpower.ca/legacy-calculator/ is a smart place to begin. A discussion with your financial advisor should result in options to maximize your ability to leave a legacy.

Find out more at 519-974-2220, www.willpower.ca or alzheimer.ca/windsoressex


This story was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County

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