Bill Heibein is a member of the CDLRN Community Advisory Committee. Known for his sense of humour, Bill also has great advice for living well with dementia. He advises anyone who has received a diagnosis to contact their local Alzheimer Society and learn all they can about dementia. He emphasizes that dementia can affect each person differently and cautions against believing everything one may hear about what they are no longer capable of doing. Bill's personal philosophy is that whatever he was able to do yesterday, there is no reason he cannot do it today, and if he can do it today, there is no reason he should not be able to do it tomorrow.
Bill's active lifestyle is an excellent example of how to incorporate physical activity into one's daily life, especially for those with a diagnosis of dementia. He runs a farm and has horses to tend to, which includes feeding them, mucking out stalls and bringing hay down from the loft. He also cuts, hauls, splits and dries wood to heat his home, making physical activity part of his everyday life. Bill also plays in a band which involves practicing and performing regularly!
Bill's strategy for managing his many responsibilities and commitments is to use a large calendar on his desk, which he marks up with upcoming events as he learns of them. By checking the calendar before heading to the barn each day, he has a far better chance of remembering what he needs to do.
Finally, Bill believes that staying active - physically, mentally and socially - is key to living well with dementia.
If you are interested in learning more tips and strategies about living with dementia, check out the News and Events section above for an RIA Research Break on how to live well with dementia.
