Community News
Support for Dementia Journey

Hearing the words, “you have dementia,” can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate your next steps alone. This World Alzheimer’s Month, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba encourages you to increase your understanding of dementia and the supports available to you through its First Link® Dementia Helpline, education sessions, community programming, support groups and more. When you connect with the Society, their caring staff of experts will listen to your experience and welcome you into a community of support. Discover your path forward today. Learn more by visiting

September is Arthritis Month

Arthritis includes over 100 diseases that cause inflammation in joints or other areas of the body. These diseases are grouped into two different categories: osteoarthritis (most common, causes a breakdown in cartilage) and inflammatory arthritis (autoimmune disorder). Arthritis can involve almost any part of the body, though it most often affects hips, knees, the spine, and fingers. It’s a chronic condition, affecting people on a constant or recurring basis over months, years, or even a lifetime. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can lead to disability over time. Talk to your pharmacist about how they can help!

“A Foundation for Care” Campaign

The BRHC Foundation’s goal is to raise $4 million toward the community contribution to help fund the building and equipment needs for the new Critical Care Centre at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. This building will include 16 ICU Suites (up from 10), 30 higher acuity medical beds for patients needing higher level care, modern equipment and technology to enhance treatment outcomes and will include an outdoor courtyard. Please call our office at 204-578-4227 or email [email protected] if you would like more information about this exciting campaign.

Is Arthritis Preventable?

You can’t always prevent arthritis, but there are a few healthy habits you can practice to reduce your risk. One thing you can do is consume more fish. Fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a healthy polyunsaturated fat. Omega-3s have several health benefits, and they can reduce inflammation in the body, lowering your arthritis risk. You should also focus on exercise, which not only takes the stress of excess weight off your joints, but also strengthens the muscles around the joints. Try your best to avoid injury. When you injure your joints, you can damage the cartilage and cause it to wear out more quickly.

Palliative Care Conference

Join your colleagues in person for the 2025 Palliative Care Conference to experience a unique blend of keynotes, educational sessions, and networking opportunities grounded in Palliative Care. Engage with colleagues from across the country as you learn about new approaches, successful models and innovations that will advance your professional skill set and help strengthen your organization. Western Canada’s largest accredited palliative care conference boasts a schedule of 4 keynotes speeches with 16 concurrent sessions to choose from over 2 days. Hear from leaders and peers in the industry as they share their knowledge, engage in conversation and explore the future of Palliative Care.

Prepare & Strengthen Your Immune System

Do you have an underlying health condition that stops your immune system from protecting you the way it should? In today’s world, you need a healthy body and immune system to protect yourself. Now is the perfect time to strengthen your immune system and increase your body’s ability to fight off infection. Your body needs to stock up on the immune-boosting essentials it requires to fight colds, flus, and viruses. Specific nutrients for the adrenals, spleen, lungs, and lymph nodes are vital to boost your immunity. Now is the time to give your body what it needs to prepare for the months ahead.

Understanding Histamine Intolerance

Frequent headaches, flushing, digestive upset, or allergy-like symptoms without a clear cause may point to histamine intolerance. Histamine is a natural compound involved in immunity, digestion, and nerve signaling. It’s found in certain foods and produced by the body, then broken down by enzymes like DAO and HNMT. When histamine builds up faster than it’s cleared, symptoms occur. Common signs include headaches, rashes, nasal congestion, bloating, diarrhea, and anxiety. Causes may include low DAO activity, gut imbalances (like SIBO), mold exposure, or high-histamine foods such as aged cheeses, fermented products, alcohol, and processed meats. Identifying triggers and supporting healthy histamine metabolism—often with diet and gut support—can bring significant relief.

Denture Tips for Arthritis Patients

Arthritis can make managing daily tasks, like maintaining dentures, more challenging. The condition often affects the hands, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced dexterity, which can complicate handling and cleaning dentures. For individuals with severe arthritis, inserting and removing dentures can become difficult, impacting oral health and overall well-being. Adaptive tools, such as denture brushes with enlarged handles or specialized grips, can make the process easier. Additionally, regular denture check-ups are crucial to ensure a proper fit, as ill-fitting dentures can exacerbate discomfort. With proper care and the right tools, individuals with arthritis can maintain their dentures and oral health effectively.

Caring for the Caregiver

Caring for the caregiver is caring for the patient. GSHSW supports both. Like fitting your oxygen mask first, caregivers must protect their own health to effectively support loved ones. Dementia’s toll isn’t limited to patients—family caregivers often face isolation, stress, and burnout. As the disease progresses, these challenges grow. Though dementia patients benefit from remaining at home with loved ones, the burden on caregivers can become overwhelming. Many eventually make the difficult decision to seek long-term care, often just when the patient’s need for familiarity peaks. Supporting caregivers is essential to sustaining compassionate, effective dementia care.

The Gift of Flowers

Flowers are an amazing gift that can lift someone’s mood and make them smile. Certain flower and colour combinations can have a bigger impact. Here are some examples to give you some inspiration for the next gift you give: 1) Red gerberas – red is the fiery colour of romance and passion, and gerberas are fun and trendy flowers that make a great gift anytime. 2) Yellow chrysanthemums – yellow evokes feelings of happiness, warmth, confidence, and clarity and chrysanthemums are symbols of joy and celebration. 3) Purple anemones – purple is for inspiration, calmness, and creativity and anemones represent protection and luck.