The Portage Plains United Way Community Response Grant of $1,800 is going a long way for a local organization. The local Alzheimer's Society chapter received the grant this week, and Regional Coordinator Karen Lambert says they're using that funding to start the Minds in Motion program in the fall. The eight-week program combines physical activity, mentally stimulating games, and social interaction for those with early to mid-stage dementia, something Lambert says goes a long way for those living with the disease.

"As the disease progresses they start to lose some of their social activities that they've been involved with, and so does their caregiver, which is usually a spouse, but it can be a child or even just a family friend. They start to lose those social activities, so this gives them an opportunity that's a social function for them, that stimulates their mental activities, as well as physical activity."

The three-hour program begins with 45 minutes of exercise, coordinated by a certified instruction. They then receive a nutrition break, which Lambert notes provides a great period for participants to visit with each other. The participants then take part in mentally stimulating games, which are run by Alzheimer's Society staff or volunteers.

While the program is new to Portage, it's been taking place across Canada for quite some time, including in Winnipeg and Gimli. Lambert says she actually had an opportunity to check out one of the sessions and says it was exciting to see just how successful the program can be.

"I was able to attend one in Winnipeg last year, and it was really nice to see these people so comfortable, relaxed, having fun, and I even heard some of them talking at the end saying they were going to meet and go out for lunch, because the session was held in the morning."

She says they're grateful for the support of the Portage Plains United Way, noting they wouldn't have been able to introduce the program without that funding. However, she notes there are actually several organizations working to implement this program.

"The funding will go toward the equipment that's needed, the PCU Centre is providing the venue for this program, as well as doing the registration and book work. Portage Service for Seniors is also on board, helping us out by providing volunteers and promoting and advertising. (Southern Health-Santé Sud) is going to provide some nutritional information for us as well."

The program is slated to start on October 17th, with the sessions taking place between 1 and 3 o'clock. While they've yet to start taking actual registrations, Lambert says there is no shortage of candidates both in Portage and the surrounding area that hope to take part.