People living with dementia, along with their caregivers, often experience social isolation, loneliness, limited access to resources, ageism, and the stigma associated with living with cognitive impairment as common realities of their daily lives. The Crossmount Memory Café has provided many opportunities to interrupt these stories and address these common barriers experienced by participants – by increasing awareness and advocacy through the engagement of participants and volunteers in supportive, social, and educational initiatives founded on shared experiences through monthly engagement in the Café’s. For more information, or to register a loved one, please contact Crossmount’s Wellness Director at 306-374-9893.

It’s hard to feel motivated to get enough activity in the winter months, but despite our desire to hibernate, it’s important for us to keep moving. The good news is that every bit of movement counts, even just a few minutes at a time. Try getting up and standing more often, playing music and dancing, and taking the stairs instead of the elevator – even just one flight! You can also play actively with your pets and do simple exercises or stretches while watching TV. Try setting an alarm on your phone to remind yourself to move frequently!

October is breast cancer awareness month, and preventative health care and early detection are important factors when it comes to breast health. DITI (Digital Thermal Imaging) or Thermography is a non-invasive assessment tool using an infrared camera. This helps to visualize inflammation and dysfunction in the body to assess problems in the vascular, muscular, neural, and skeletal systems. For breast health, DITI can help create a baseline of healthy breast activity, and yearly DITI follow-ups can help detect potential physiological changes and abnormalities. Since DITI looks for changes in physiology, it can be a great secondary measure alongside mammography.

Today, many Canadians are choosing cremation as an alternative to traditional burial. Although cremation may seem like the simpler choice, selecting cremation is just the first step in deciding how best to celebrate a life well lived. Just like burial, choosing cremation allows you to have a funeral or memorial service. Most people choose a cemetery setting for the final disposition of cremated remains. Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens offers nature walks, which provide memorials in a peaceful natural setting. You can choose from a selection of keepsake urns, jewelry and memorial record packages, ensuring your loved one’s memory is with you forever.