Culture meets connections: Support through community
After Andrew Ng began experiencing memory changes while caring for his mother, who also lives with dementia, he and his wife Teresa navigated an unexpected new chapter. Finding connection through Minds in Motion® and Chinese Coffee and Chat helped Andrew regain motivation and stay active.
Andrew and Teresa Ng met on their first shift with Canada Post in 1981. Both being the only Chinese staff, their immediate friendship eventually turned into a lifelong partnership. More than four decades later, Andrew and Teresa have built a life together. Then, in 2020, their life took an unexpected turn when Andrew began experiencing changes in his memory.
The changes came while Andrew was helping care for his 93-year-old mother, who is also living with dementia. As the demands of caregiving grew, so did the emotional toll. Andrew was initially diagnosed with anxiety, but over time, he and Teresa came to understand that the memory changes he was experiencing were part of his own dementia journey.
In the early days, Andrew admitted he lost motivation and spent more time sitting at home. Looking back, he says one of the biggest turning points came after hearing about our fitness and social program, Minds in Motion®, through a radio advertisement.
The couple first attended an English-speaking group before Andrew found a stronger connection in the Chinese Minds in Motion® program. "The atmosphere and the people made a difference," Andrew said. "The group is so alive – we play mahjong or sing karaoke. There’s always a fun activity to do."
The positive experience encouraged Andrew and Teresa to also join our Chinese Coffee and Chat group. Surrounded by people who share similar cultural backgrounds and experiences, they found the connections made extend beyond the weekly sessions – even gathering for dim sum and other social outings. “We’re in similar situations and can share our feelings and experiences,” says Andrew. “I really appreciate each other’s companies.”
Not letting dementia define him, Andrew has chosen to focus on what he can still do rather than what he has lost. “I just have to accept it,” says Andrew. “We’re still happy and that hasn’t changed.”
Today, he continues to enjoy cooking, grocery shopping, driving short distances and spending time his community. While some things take a little longer than they once did, Andrew remains determined to stay active and is supported by his family. "Teresa doesn’t treat me like a sick person," says Andrew. "I have a good partner."
Andrew laughs that while he may forget some things, there's one thing he hasn’t forgotten: Wednesdays are for Minds in Motion® and Fridays are for the Chinese Coffee and Chat group.