Programming for Whistler seniors with dementia is currently on hold because of a lack of local dedicated space for seniors.
June was supposed to feature the Minds in Motion programming, a fitness and social program for anyone in the early stages of dementia and their caregivers lead by the Alzheimer Society of B.C. It was slated for June 4 to 25 at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, according to Rita Fu, marketing and communications officer for Alzheimer Society of B.C. The program started, but is now paused until the fall, pending appropriate space.
The program was sought after by organizers of Whistler’s Alzheimer Walk, which was held throughout the province on May 28. However, this year’s walk in Whistler was postponed because organizers felt funds raised for programming weren’t coming back into the community.
Erika Durlacher, a member of both the Mature Action Community (MAC) and Whistler Elders Enrichment Society, said the choice was a tough call.
“Alzheimer's Society has for years promised to bring the Minds in Motion program to the community, and it wasn't happening in the last few years. The committee that I had formed decided that until it happens, they weren't going to assist in getting a walk going anymore,” Durlacher said.
Since the program started, the walk’s date was moved to Oct. 6.
MAC director Charalyn Kriz said space constraints for seniors is frequently an issue.
“I ran into this when I was trying to do the Making Connections dementia program, which I started up in Whistler October 2022 because the Alzheimer's Society wasn't coming into Whistler at that time with their Minds in Motion program. But now that they have tried to come this spring, they also ran into the same problem,” Kriz said.
Appropriate facilities include a fitness space and an activity room, which can be merged, but there’s also a need for kitchen space for serving food and beverages. There’s also need for wheelchair access, and nearby parking and outdoor recreating spaces are important, too.
Making connections
The Making Connections program currently runs at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church. While grateful for the space, Kriz said more permanent facilities are necessary for senior programming and people with dementia.
She pointed to Pemberton’s recreation centre, which caters to youth and seniors, as a positive model for running seniors' programming targeted at dementia patients.
“When I run my program, it's a team of volunteers on a rotating basis. Every week, it's different people," Kriz said. "So, the dementia participants, some of them find they are not making the connection with people, because it's always someone different. Whereas in Pemberton, they form friendships with the staff."
According to Kriz, one factor contributing to lack of space is the high cost of Whistler real estate. She and other seniors spoke to the Resort Municipality of Whistler this spring about their desire for a designated space.
Making Connections runs every Wednesday morning and includes fitness activities, socializing, card games, music therapy and a light lunch, depending on the day. It’s funded from a grant from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.
Enrolment is open to anyone in the Sea to Sky.
The program also showed a need for caregiver support, so now, twice a month there are caregiver support sessions in partnership with the Whistler Public Library and Sea to Sky Hospice Society.
The caregiver support programs are for anyone who provides care to individuals with complex needs, whether it’s someone with dementia or a chronically ill child, or even a new parent who feels stressed or socially isolated.
The drop-in support group runs from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on the first and third Friday each month. The program is free, and refreshments are available.
“It's an opportunity for caregivers to get together and socialize over a cup of coffee and talk through some things, and have an outing away from the responsibility of whoever they're looking after,” Kriz said.
In July and August, some senior activities created by the Whistler Elders Enrichment Society will operate from Spruce Grove Park and Fieldhouse, with dates finalized by the end of June, but the municipal property is only available during the summer. In winter months, it’s leased to the Whistler Waldorf School. The space provides indoor and outdoor recreating opportunities.
Whistler Elders Enrichment Society programming will continue in the fall at Maury Young Arts Centre, and the group is applying for charitable status.
