Talk To Someone

Free, confidential support. From real people who understand.

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed or alone - no matter what you’re facing, or how dementia has impacted your life. Our registered social workers are here for you.

Call: (403) 290-0110

Email: findsupport@alzheimercalgary.ca

Reach us from Monday to Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Looking for a support group? Learn more about local support groups here.

Cindy Bond
Community Educator

Cindy Bond has been a Community Education Specialist with the Alzheimer Society of Calgary since 2014. Cindy prides herself in bringing the most relevant and up-to-date information to her training sessions. She is passionate about supporting all of those impacted by Dementia. 

Cindy has a Social Service Worker diploma. She is a Best FriendsTM Master Trainer, Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) Master Coach and an Opening Minds through Art (OMA) Master Trainer. 

Cindy and her family moved to Calgary from Sudbury, Ontario almost 8 years ago. She loves Calgary and its people. 

Her favorite activities include being in the mountains, reading, being with family and friends and being creative.

Lindsey Ryland, BSW, RSW
Dementia Support Navigator

Lindsey graduated from the University of Calgary with a degree in Social Work and a degree in history. Lindsey joined the Learning and Support Services team at the Alzheimer Society of Calgary as a Registered Social Worker in 2019.  

Lindsey understands that each person with dementia is unique. Through listening and asking questions Lindsey aims to put her client’s uniqueness at the center of every conversation to suggest appropriate strategies and to discuss next steps.  

Lindsey is honoured to support local caregivers and see the resilience they exhibit every day. 

Some of Lindsey’s favourite hobbies include playing basketball, travel and finding new podcasts. 

Valeria Gamez
Dementia Support Navigator

Valeria is in her final year of an undergraduate degree at the University of Calgary in Sociology and Psychology. Although she doesn’t come from a social work background, she has worked and volunteered with multiple organizations for over four years, supporting people in different social services such as health care, crisis intervention/mental health, homelessness and more. She joined the Learning and Support Services Team in May 2022 as a Dementia Support Navigator.

Valeria loves connecting with individuals and caregivers to provide support and resources as needed. She believes collaborating with caregivers and individuals is crucial to produce strategies/steps that best fit their needs. Valeria strives to guide and support them along their journey to live well.

When Valeria is not working, she volunteers with the Distress Centre, Alberta Health Services, and Taking Strides. She enjoys reading, yoga, and trying out different restaurants in the city.

 

Samantha Raey, BSW, RSW
Dementia Support Navigator

Samantha joined The Alzheimer Society of Calgary shortly after graduating from the University of Calgary in 2015 with a degree in Social Work.  

Samantha loves collaborating with caregivers to help people living with dementia live well. With every connection Samantha makes with caregivers and people living with dementia she learns something new, which helps her to better support her community.  

Samantha's easy going and soft manner creates a safe place for people to share their dementia journey with. She believes it takes a village to support someone living with dementia and is humbled when families share their journey with her. 

When not working, Samantha enjoys laughing, dancing, kayaking and tubing with her children. 

Need assistance outside of office hours?

If anyone is in danger of being harmed, call 9-1-1.

Distress Centre Calgary
If you or someone you know are in crisis, you can speak with someone at any time. The Distress Centre provides crisis intervention as well as information and referral services.

Crisis Line: (403) 266-HELP (4357)  (Available 24/7)
Online Chat: https://www.distresscentre.com/
You can access it on the top right corner of their web page.
Available 3 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. weekdays and from 12:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. weekends.

Email: info@distresscentre.ab.ca


Remember, you’re not alone.

Local help is available. More than 17,000 people in the Calgary area are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia. This condition affects not just the people diagnosed, but their family members, friends, coworkers and neighbours, too.

Speak with an objective person who understands what you’re feeling, reserves judgement, offers suggestions and can connect you with a larger community of support.

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Further Information
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