Training Archives

Please view the video in its entirety in order to become a certified Minds in Motion volunteer.

Minds in Motion Training Video

The Minds in Motion assistant is a vital role in the program to ensure a safe and supportive environment where program attendees are able to develop meaningful connections, experience a sense of belonging, and be empowered to live well throughout their journey with dementia. In this training, participants will gain knowledge about dementia and how to best support people living with dementia and their care partners to have an enjoyable, successful experience each time they attend the Minds in Motion program.

"Dementia is only a small part of life; it is an illness. I live as best I can while I can and not dwell on this dementia thing. I try to set it aside. What I would like to say to people being diagnosed, it is not the end of life. It is a new life in the slow lane of dementia; you’ll change, but it is not all bad. "

The quote above is from - de Neef, Ash. "Life in the Slow Lane of Dementia". Aged Care Enrichment Podcast • SilVR Adventures Pty Lt. September, 2020.

"As we become more emotional and less cognitive, it’s the way you talk to us, not what you say, that we will remember. We know the feeling, but don’t know the plot. Your smile, your laugh and your touch are what we will connect with. Empathy heals. Just love us as we are. We are still here, in emotion and spirit, if only you could find us. "

The quote above is from - Bryden, Christine. "Dancing with Dementia". Jessica Kingsley Publishers. London. 2005.

For Reflection...

After reading those quotes, take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions. Feel free to make some notes.

What stood out for you as important messages?
Now that you’ve heard some of Christine’s thoughts, what will you continue to do as you move forward? What will you stop or do differently?

More Learning Resources

Dancing with Dementia by Christine Bryden

Here, we introduce two people who share their personal experiences with dementia in the early stage of the disease.

They talk about their feelings after diagnosis, adjusting to changes in their life and looking ahead to the future. They also share some important advice for finding support and continuing to live a full and meaningful life.

Roger's Story

Roger Marple was a tireless advocate for the rights of people living with dementia. Despite his own diagnosis, Roger chose to live life to the fullest and, with the support of family and friends, he proved it was possible. He was an outspoken champion to ending the stigma against people living with dementia and was a compassionate and committed spokesperson for those who often felt neglected and unheard.

He was a sought-after speaker and participated on advisory groups and research committees to ensure the voices of people with lived experience were included in planning and decision making. He was also instrumental in the development of the Canadian Charter of Rights for People Living with Dementia. Roger received numerous accolades and awards for his work.
At the time of his death, Roger was a member of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories. To honour him, and continue his legacy, the Roger Marple Volunteer Award was established. The award recognizes a volunteer who exemplifies the qualities and efforts Roger embodied in his daily life and work on behalf of the Alzheimer Society and those living with dementia.

“As a person living with dementia, here is a promise I will make to all of you……. I promise to recognize what hope looks like for you, living your life to the fullest with the time you have left so that you can live a good quality of life. And most of all, I will respect who you are.”

Roger Marple

1957 - 2022

Watch this video and meet Roger. He talks about his experiences and reaction to receiving his diagnosis. He acknowledges the role the Alzheimer Society played in making him realize there is a life after diagnosis and the encouragement to live in the here and now.

"My hopes and dreams in life haven’t changed and I make it a point to do meaningful things in my life just as anyone else would. If anyone reading this who has been diagnosed with a form of dementia or has a loved one who lives with this disease, I feel this is the first thing you need to know. We all live with a terminal condition. It’s called life. The same thing applies to people with dementia."

- Roger Marple, from Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Watch the three videos below, and meet Chris Nelson. Chris offers some tips on how to help.

People living with dementia can struggle with everyday tasks. In these videos, Chris talks about how her frontotemporal dementia affects doing tasks such as banking, eating in a restaurant or shopping at a grocery store.