Minds in Motion^®

What is Minds in Motion^®?

Combining physical activity and mental stimulation, Minds in Motion^® unfolds to laughter and chatter, with new friendships forming and stories being shared.

Through the Minds in Motion program, both the person living with dementia and the caregiver can benefit from the following:

• Gentle and easy-to-follow physical activities.
• Fun social activities focused on building personal skills.

Who can participate?

• Minds in Motion participants have early to mid-stage signs of dementia and are accompanied by their caregivers.
• In some circumstances individuals register on their own, please contact us for more information on this option.
• A maximum of 11 couples, or 22 participants, enrolled in each eight-week program.
• Each pair pays a minimal registration fee (fees may vary).

How often does the program run, and for how long?

The two-hour program runs once a week, for eight weeks, in a community-based program centre. Check with your local Society for more details.

Where does the program run?

Minds in Motion operates in Owen Sound, Hanover, Markdale, Southampton and Meaford through the Alzheimer Society of Grey-Bruce.

The benefits of Minds in Motion®

The person living with dementia benefits from...

• Improved balance, mobility, flexibility, and alertness.
• Increased confidence, and comfort with their own circumstance.
• Mutual support from others facing similar experiences.

“The people involved are most helpful. Pleasant and understanding- it’s been a very worthwhile course.” – Person living with dementia

The care partner benefits from...

• An opportunity to focus on their own health, and have fun with their partner.
• Seeing the person they are caring for enjoying themselves.
• Mutual support and learning from other care partners.

"I enjoyed participating in both the physical exercise and the social activities. It was wonderful meeting and getting to know all the participants. A great group! Overall, a great program. We both love coming. Leaders are excellent—always empathetic and great teachers.” – Care partner

All participants benefit from...

• Sharpened mental functioning, sometimes lasting two to three days.
• An increased sense of social participation.

“Excellent program—great people, got me out of the house and got a lot of information and communication with other people. I felt more comfortable being here a second time, saw an improvement in my mother—she smiled often!” – Family care partner

Pilot findings

• Participants’ endurance improved by 20% and strength by 15%.
• Participants reported decreased social isolation and an increase in informal networks of support.
• 79% of participants continue with physical and social programs after participating.
• Close to 100 volunteers and students have been trained and are active in program delivery.
• 90% of staff, volunteers and students identified an increase in their dementia knowledge.

Our Minds in Motion^® partners

Thank you to all of our participants, sponsors and supporters across Ontario!

The Alzheimer Society of Ontario recognizes and thanks the founding partners of Minds in Motion®, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Ontario Brain Institute and the Government of Ontario.

The Alzheimer Society of Ontario also wishes to gratefully acknowledge the Minds in Motion® delivery partners:

• The Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging developed the physical activity framework and program curriculum and will provide training to the physical activity program leaders, either directly or through the training of regionally-based trainers.
• A team from Brock University’s Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies developed the mental stimulation and meaningful activity framework for the program.
• Older Adult Centres Association of Ontario is prepared to support the delivery of this program in their local centres.
• Parks and Recreation Ontario, a provincial membership-based association, is supporting the project by engaging their municipal and non-profit recreation members.
• A team from the University of Waterloo’s Kinesiology Department, is leading the evaluation of the Minds in Motion® pilot project.
• We also wish to thank Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care for advising the Alzheimer Society of Ontario on the use of a Therepeutic Recreation framework for inclusion in Ontario's Minds in Motion® program.

If your organization wishes to get involved with the Alzheimer Society, please contact the Alzheimer Society of Ontario at 416-967-5900 (toll-free: 1-800-879-4226) or staff@alzon.ca.