An eight week program for people in the early to middle stages of dementia wrapped up yesterday at the PCU Centre in Portage la Prairie.

It's called Minds in Motion, and is organized by the Alzheimer Society.

Regional Coordinator Karen Lambert talks about what the program's focus.

"The groups go through about 40 minutes of exercises, led by a registered, certified exercise instructor. Then they break for a little bit of fellowship, and then they do some brain stimulating activities after that, for the last part of the program. And it just gives the people an outing -- something to go to, and look forward to every week -- and stimulating the brain."

Lambert says the once a week, two hour session's important for people with Alzheimer's.

"Oftentimes, when people are early to mid-stage, they start to lose their social outings -- their clubs, the confidence, things that they go to. This way, they're able to have an activity that they can participate in, and they're with other people that are going through the stages of the disease as well. And it's been very positive -- they've all expressed that they've enjoyed themselves, and enjoyed meeting other people, too."

Lambert points out Minds in Motion is the only program in Manitoba that unites people with dementia, and their caregivers, together.