Fall 2026 Newsletter

Welcome Fall 2026

Jamie made a life-altering decision to move back to Calgary from overseas, ensuring the right care for her mother and helping her find joy no matter what. Anne, a local high school student, created new ways for two generations to connect and find common ground. They are the champions that we simply cannot celebrate enough.

This fall, we hope you’ll join us for new and exciting opportunities ahead. This is a time of significant growth, development and promise for the communities we serve.

Barb Ferguson, Executive Director

Love, Inclusion, and Joy in the Everyday

Where She Leads, We Follow

JoAnne worked for the federal public service for more than two decades. She is sharp, dedicated, and deeply committed to the people around her. When early signs of dementia began to surface, they were easy to miss: a meal cooked differently, a laugh that didn't come when it would have before. Small things quietly accumulated until JoAnne, who has Type 1 Diabetes, called her daughter Jamie, confused and frightened, unable to remember how to manage her insulin. Jamie, living thousands of miles away in Bermuda, was scared. Had JoAnne not called, the consequences could have been life-ending.

The women got on a video call and Jamie walked her mother through her insulin calculations. She did the same thing at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, every day, for a year and a half, guiding JoAnne through each insulin dose, and monitoring her blood sugars, day and night from across a continent.

As JoAnne's disease progressed, so did the weight of what was needed. Eventually, with her mother's care needs growing beyond what could be managed from afar, Jamie and her husband made the decision to leave behind 12 years of a built life: careers, friends, community, a strong support system, and the home they had made for their young son in Bermuda. They came home because JoAnne needed them.

"I never anticipated building my life in Calgary again," Jamie says. "I grieved that lost life and, to this day, still grieve the loss of everything we have yet to reestablish in Calgary."

What followed wasn't simple or straightforward. JoAnne's diabetes meant that managing insulin alongside advancing dementia was not just complicated, but often frightening. Finding the right living situation and care level took time and heartache. And, like many families navigating dementia, there were moments when loved ones struggled to know how to respond to the changes they were witnessing.

One of the hardest lessons for Jamie has been seeing how uncomfortable dementia can make people. Some friends and family members found it difficult to move past the diagnosis and connect with the person JoAnne still is. Opportunities for inclusion and connection were missed, and relationships changed in incredibly painful, sometimes irreparable ways.

"Alzheimer's doesn't diminish her humanity. She's still funny, caring, and deeply herself." - Jamie

JoAnne now lives in assisted living through the week and goes to Jamie's home every weekend, where she spends time making new memories with Jamie and her young family. They have rituals to anchor them: every Friday night, JoAnne arrives and her face lights up when she spots Jamie's ginger cat. She has been a devoted cat lover her whole life, a longtime volunteer with a local cat rescue society. Her joy is still completely and unmistakably hers.

Every Saturday, they go to the same pub for lunch, where the staff know JoAnne by name and greet her warmly when she walks through the door. These small, consistent moments of connection are not incidental to Jamie's approach. They are the whole point.

"If we're out and something doesn't go as planned, we roll with it," she says. "You control what you can, and let go of the rest. Having dementia doesn't mean you stop trying to have a meaningful life."

That instinct was affirmed beautifully the day JoAnne received an exemplary service medal from her colleagues in the federal public service. A room full of people who had worked alongside her for decades showed up to celebrate her, guided gently by colleagues who ensured every moment was supported and joyful. JoAnne gave a speech, beaming from start to finish.

Looking back on that day, Jamie is struck by how much joy remains available when people are willing to meet someone where they are. "When people make space for her, she shines," she says. "That day was such a reminder that there is still so much joy and connection to be found."

For other caregivers standing at the beginning of this road, weighed down by grief and fear, Jamie's message is clear and loving: "Give it time and space, and focus on normalizing the experience for both yourself and your loved one. It's uncomfortable and the hardest thing you'll likely ever do, but if you let go of analyzing, judgment and expectations, and know that if you show up for your loved one, you will get connection and joy back."

JoAnne's story is still being written. Every beautiful, complicated, irreplaceable page of it. And her daughter is so grateful to get to be a part of it.

Dementia-Inclusive Park Opens

Opening September 21 - World Alzheimer's Day

Something remarkable is about to open its gates in Calgary.

This fall, the Martin Family Legacy Garden will welcome its first visitors as Canada's first dementia-inclusive park. Located in Southview Park in Dover, it is a space where people living with dementia can move freely, safely, and joyfully outdoors.

This moment has been years in the making, shaped by researchers, donors, partners, and the dedicated teams at Parks Foundation Calgary and Alzheimer Calgary. But the people who shaped it most are the people living with dementia and their caregivers, who trusted us with their stories and their hopes. Every pathway, every garden, every welcoming corner of this space reflects what you told us mattered. This park is yours.

We hope this park becomes a destination, not only for people impacted by dementia, but for all Calgarians. A place where generations meet, where community grows, and where the simple act of being outside together reminds us of what we share.

To everyone who played a role in bringing the Martin Family Legacy Garden to life: thank you. We cannot wait to see you there.

Upcoming Education

Talking About Dementia: Understanding Risk, Reducing Risk

Alzheimer Calgary welcomes back Dr. Aravind Ganesh, vascular and cognitive neurologist at the University of Calgary, as keynote speaker for Talking About Dementia, and his message couldn't be more timely.

Two new anti-amyloid therapies have recently been approved for use in Canada, sparking hope and a flood of questions. At the same time, the world of dementia information is "plagued by medical misinformation," as Dr. Ganesh puts it; claims, products, and promises that can overwhelm and take advantage of people in distress at their most vulnerable moments.

"No matter where in the dementia journey people are, they'll find something to take away." - Dr. Aravind Ganesh

Whether you're newly curious, navigating a recent diagnosis, or years into caregiving, this event offers clarity, critical thinking tools, and hope, grounded in evidence, not hype. Dr. Ganesh's talk aims to cut through the noise with three practical takeaways.

More Upcoming Education Sessions

2026 Alzheimer Calgary Walk & Run

Walk or run with us on Thanksgiving Sunday

Every step you take supports local programs and services right here in Calgary, ensuring people have access care, connection, and support. Fun for the whole family!

StillMe: What's New

You've heart the name. See what's new.

The StillMe movement is changing how our community sees aging and dementia, and there are brand new social media channels making those of us impacted by dementia smile and laugh every day. Whether you’re 18 or 80, you’ll discover fun, connection, and stories that’ll make you all warm and fuzzy inside (and maybe prompt a share with your friends).

This September, watch for a campaign about connecting across generations, creating fun, accessible ways to get out and spend meaningful time with the seniors we love, and making the most of moments together.

StillMe Event: A Night of Insight and Inspiration

Over 200 members of our community gathered at Mount Royal University in June for an evening that was both illuminating and inspiring. Dr. Saskia Sivananthan, co-founder and CEO of the Brainwell Institute and an internationally recognized advisor on dementia strategy and policy, took the stage to speak about practical strategies for navigating the healthcare system, and what it takes to build a dementia system that truly works. A fireside chat hosted by award-winning journalist and editor Christina Frangou drew out the kind of candid, thoughtful conversation the StillMe spirit is built on.

The room reflected the breadth of our community: families living with the impact of dementia, professionals working in the sector, community partners, and advocates; all gathered around a shared belief that things can be better.

"I'm inspired every day by the level of resilience I see in people impacted by dementia." - Sr. Sivananthan

Dr. Sivananthan left the audience with reason for optimism. "We're starting to see how you can transform the system to support both people living with dementia and their caregivers in their day-to-day lives," she said.

A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors, United Active Living and Qualicare, whose support made this evening possible.

A New Training Space for Our Community

Room to Grow

When Alzheimer Calgary learned that their neighbouring tenants were moving, Executive Director Barb Ferguson and Director of Finance Pam Valk saw a chance to do something the organization had long needed: expand. What followed was a renovation that transformed a cramped boardroom into a dynamic, multi-purpose training space.

The old space maxed out at 20 people, and even then it was a tight squeeze. The technology was unreliable. Running training and education sessions meant that they sometimes had to rent external venues, costing staff time and energy just getting there.

The new space changes all of that. It can seat 50 people theatre-style, 30 at desks, and reconfigure easily for support groups and board and staff meetings. Updated furniture and technology make transforming the room simple.

“More people trained means more people equipped to support those living with dementia, and those who love them. That's the whole point," says Pam Valk, Director of Finance.

Alzheimer Calgary expects to train 750 or more people annually in this space. But the impact goes beyond headcount. When someone comes in for a dementia education session and notices the Dementia Support Navigator down the hall, or spots the lending library on their way out, the space becomes a doorway into everything the organization offers.

Made possible by the generosity of our community.

Dementia Education at Bethany Care Society

Better Informed, More Connected

Elaine Riddick remembers the moment clearly. Walking through Bethany Care Society's courtyard, a resident pointed at her and announced: "She's not a good one. Everybody watch her." Elaine didn't take it personally; she adapted and moved on. Later, the same resident was perfectly happy to chat.

"If I had been a newer volunteer without any context about dementia," Elaine says, "that could have been genuinely upsetting. It could have driven someone to respond negatively or not return." This is the kind of moment Alzheimer Calgary’s training program, ABC Pro, prepares people for.

As Volunteer Services Manager at Bethany Care Society, Elaine oversees 750 registered volunteers serving seniors across Calgary and Central Alberta. In 2024, Bethany partnered with Alzheimer Calgary to bring ABC Pro to their volunteer community. To date, 107 volunteers have completed the program.

Two team members have completed Train the Trainer, so the training can now be delivered internally across all Bethany locations.

The benefits of the training goes beyond better skills in the moment. Staff and volunteers find something they didn't expect: context, language, and a room full of people who understand. "Hearing someone else say 'that happened to me too' is really valuable," she says. "That peer support was a benefit I hadn't anticipated."

And the impact doesn't stay within Bethany's walls. A more informed volunteer is a more connected community member. One more person who knows how to show up for someone living with dementia, wherever they encounter them.

“The session offered practical communication strategies and tools that I feel confident using immediately in my role as a volunteer,” says one Bethany Volunteer and ABC Pro Participant.

Alberta Task Force on Dementia

Building the System Dementia Care Deserves

Dr. Jim Silvius recently made a house call to a woman with cognitive impairment who had missed her appointment. He found her daughter - exhausted, frustrated, and alone in navigating her mother's care. Beyond Dr. Silvius, her family doctor, and home care, she was unaware of other supports.

"A lot of people don’t know about all the resources available or how to access them," he says. "That's what the Alberta Task Force on Dementia is trying to address."

Dr. Silvius is a geriatrician at Rockyview Hospital in Calgary with 36 years of clinical practice, and a long career in health systems work. He chairs the Alberta Task Force on Dementia, a cross-sector initiative bringing together experts, decision-makers, and thought leaders from health, community, research, and academia, all working toward a coordinated system of dementia care.

Dr. Silvius has witnessed the human cost of system fragmentation: caregivers don't know what resources exist, families assume Alzheimer Societies only serve people with Alzheimer's (rather than all cognitive impairments), and people falling through the cracks.

That's the Task Force's primary purpose: to map what exists, identify gaps, and make the case for a coordinated system to work with government to support.

Dr. Silvius’s approach is to build from shared understanding. "If we share the current state, what we need, and explain the evidence, government is more likely to engage," he says. He used this approach in developing Alberta's MAID program, where he brought a full range of perspectives to the table to ensure the resulting system reflected everyone's needs. He knows that systems change is slow. “But slow,” he says, “is not the same as impossible.”

"There are good things happening in pockets across this province, but they're all isolated; they don’t work together. That's the gap." - Dr. Silvius

Dr. Silvius believes strongly that people deserve better, and that the system with the right will and design can deliver it.

For families living with dementia, this work matters deeply. "The goal is a system where access to proper support is available to everyone exactly when they need it." That's what the Task Force is building toward.

Dementia Education Comes to You

Alzheimer Calgary's Community Engagement team delivers dementia education sessions, right to your door. Last year alone, we delivered nearly 100 presentations across Calgary and surrounding area. Our presentations are tailored to your audience, your questions, and your community.

We cover what dementia actually is, how to communicate with confidence and compassion, what resources and support are available, and how to access them, for free, without a diagnosis required.

We serve:

✓ Workplaces (employee wellness)
✓ Faith communities
✓ Financial & legal professionals
✓ Healthcare professionals
✓ Caregiver groups
✓ All senior-serving organizations

If you have a group, we have a session. Reach us: 403-290-0110 or info@alzheimercalgary.ca

Dementia and Anti-Racism

Safety, Belonging, and Dignity: Our Partnership with ActionDignity

What does anti-racism work have to do with dementia care? More than you might think. Since 2024, Alzheimer Calgary has been partnering with ActionDignity Society, a Calgary-based non-profit that advocates for ethnocultural, racialized, and equity-seeking communities, to deepen our own commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Leading that work with us is Towani Duchscher, ActionDignity's Anti-Racism Training and Education Coordinator, whose Systems-Led Anti-Racism Training is helping our team move beyond awareness and into action.

When Towani began working with us, she found a team that delighted her. "There was a real openness to learning, to grappling with questions, to thinking about things differently," she says. "There was no defensiveness, which can be a reaction to anti-racism conversations. Everyone seemed genuinely engaged with examining things from a new angle." That spirit of curiosity, she says, is where meaningful change begins, and it was evident not just in the training room, but in the ideas staff brought forward: expanding language translation of resources, revisiting how the organization communicates about dementia within racialized communities, and developing an anti-racism response plan for Club 36 settings.

Our own team members echo that sentiment. "Having the space to ask questions, hear different perspectives, and challenge my own thinking has been really valuable," says Lisa Copeland, Director of Philanthropy.

"We each have an opportunity to make change from where we are," she says. "Never underestimate the impact you have," says Towani.

For Mary Clyr Natura, Club 36 Manager, the most meaningful moments have come from the conversations themselves. "Having team conversations about our values, and then hearing how people are applying this work in their day-to-day, has been a highlight for me."

At the heart of Towani's framework are three concepts that will feel familiar to anyone in the dementia community: Safety, Dignity, and Belonging. "These are basic human needs," she says simply. "And they're compromised by racism and dementia."

One of the most striking connections she draws is around isolation. Both racism and dementia can cause people to withdraw, to feel unseen, to stop asking for help. In both cases, what people need is the same: spaces where people feel safe enough to show up as they truly are. "When you create spaces shaped around safety, dignity, and belonging," Towani says, "you serve the most marginalized people better and you open those spaces for everyone."

"Creating an inclusive culture isn't about one big initiative. It's about the small things we do every day to make space for different voices." - Lisa Copeland, Director of Philanthropy

Research shows racialized people face a significantly higher risk of developing dementia, in part because of the cumulative toll of experiencing racism daily. The two issues are genuinely, deeply intertwined. Tremblay, S. (2024); Iroanyah, N., et al. (2021)

Support Group Facilitators Needed

Wanted: People Who Get It

Right now, approximately 70 people are waiting for a support group; caregivers and family members who need a place to connect, process, and breathe. The wait exists because we don't have enough facilitators to open more groups. That's where you might come in.

We're looking for volunteers with lived experience with dementia who are ready to hold space for others on the same path. You don't need a counselling degree or a social work background. What matters most is that you've worked through enough of your own experience that you can show up for someone else's.

If you're still in the thick of caregiving or acute grief, this probably isn't your moment, but if you've come through the other side, this might be exactly what you've been looking for.

Training is provided - about 15 hours in total, much of it online and self-paced. The time commitment is two hours a week for six consecutive weeks, with morning, evening, and weekday options available.

Community Fundraisers

Art, Memory, and Connection at Club 36

The Iris Project

Anne Johnson was in ninth grade and volunteering for Youth Central, an organization that offers leadership and volunteer opportunities for youth, when she and friend Michelle decided to apply for a youth community grant. Both passionate about the arts, they asked themselves a simple question: what do we love, and how can we use it to give something back? The answer became the Iris Project.

Now going into twelfth grade, Anne has brought one of the Iris Project's most meaningful initiatives, Capturing Memories, to Club 36. Young artists from her own high school, Dr. E.P. Scarlett, spend time with Club members, listening to their stories and learning about their lives, then create a portrait inspired by what they heard. A few weeks later, artists, members, and their families gather for a small art gala to see the finished works.

Landscapes from childhood, a beloved family dog, a beautiful Christmas scene. Each one a window into a life, rendered with care by someone who took the time to listen.

Anne had already been volunteering at Club 36 when the idea took shape, and something she'd learned in training stuck with her: in people living with dementia, creativity is one of the last things dementia touches. She'd seen it firsthand, like when members who struggled to recall where they grew up still knew every single word of an old song the moment it came on.

"When living with dementia, so many choices are made for you. But with art, you get to be yourself; choose whatever colours you want, whatever patterns you want. I notice that people get chattier and more engaged when we're doing something artistic. I see freedom in them." - Anne Johnson, Iris Project Co-Founder

For Anne, an unexpected gift has been watching two groups who would never normally meet find genuine connection with each other. "The young artists get to see that people living with dementia still have so much life in them," she says. "And it was really moving to see how happy the youth artists were to see that their work had a real impact on these people and their families.”

The Iris Project is a youth-led arts initiative that connects youth volunteers with communities in need through creative arts. The Capturing Memories initiative at Club 36 resulted in painted portraits given to members' families as lasting keepsakes and greeting cards made from the artwork were sent to the young artists as a thank you.

Interested in bringing a creative program to Club 36? info@alzheimercalgary.ca

Volunteer Spotlight

People Who Show Up

Josiah - Volunteer for one year

Josiah ran his first Walk & Run at age nine. Now in his twenties, he volunteers as a support group facilitator. Making a difference, he says, isn't about something extraordinary. "It's about showing up." The connections he's made have been an unexpected gift. "I have friends who are 19 and friends who are 88!"

"You don't have to have all the answers. Being present, listening without judgment, and treating people with dignity. That's what it takes."

Janet - Volunteer since 2001

Janet has been part of the Alzheimer Calgary Walk & Run for nearly 25 years. Both her parents and her maternal grandparents lived with dementia, and she channels that experience into helping others understand the disease, reduce their fear, and find their footing. For Janet, volunteering isn’t just about giving back.

"There are so many ways you can be useful, and it's so satisfying. I know I'm doing something really meaningful."

Susan - Volunteer since 1999

Susan walked into Club 36 on her first day of retirement and never looked back. Over the years she's helped with the adult day program, the Walk & Run, and fundraising and educational events. What keeps her returning: "It's really gratifying to know I've made life easier for someone."

"From the very first day at Club 36, I knew I wanted to keep coming back. We had so much fun!"

Staff Spotlight

Meet Charmaine - Innovation and Quality Specialist

Charmaine has worn many hats at Alzheimer Calgary over the past seven years, most recently at Club 36, our adult day program, where she built deep, direct relationships with the people we serve. This spring, after two years of full-time studies alongside her full-time role, Charmaine walked the stage with honours and distinction, earning an IT diploma from Bow Valley College.

That unique pairing of nursing and technology fit beautifully with Alzheimer Calgary’s newly created role: Innovation and Quality Specialist. “I want to help bring technology into our work in a way that's not scary, and that still puts human connection first," Charmaine says.

A month into the role, Charmaine is collaborating across the organization: working with students to strengthen their learning, training professionals in the ABC PRO program, building quality improvement processes, and connecting our Club 36 sites so insights are shared between locations. She's been carrying training beyond our walls and meeting with partner organizations to extend dementia education further into the community.

"In my heart, I still want to help people, just in a different way. I know I'm in the right place. I love this work so much."

In Memory

Generous donations have been made in memory of the following special people (February - June 2026):

Albert "Dale" Hatton, Barbara Ann Hastings, Bent Buur Bakgaard, Darlene Dawn Wenham, David James DeBiasio, Douglas (Doug) Grant Hay, Edith Adelheid Furber, Gay Violet Jones, George Garry Chornoby, George Whalen, Gisele Caron, Glenn Gerald Cunningham, Grace Elizabeth Wallace, Harry Nazarchuk, Helga Feck, Irene K Lacher, Janet Orsted, Johanna Maria Christie (nee Negenman), John Nelson Stewart, Joy Rodrigues, Karen Jeanne Aasen, Keith Alexander Robson, King Fai Yau, Lesley Sherwood, Loren (Larry) Neil Curtis, Lynne Diane Miglierina, Margaret (Boyle) Laurendeau, Paul David "Pete" Feurer, Rudy Kotkas, Sally Jeanette Hodges, Sharron Lynn Blaine, Sheila Isobel Smith, (Kenneth) Wayne Craig

In Honour

Johanna Christie

Thank You to Our Partners and Sponsors

We are grateful

Together, we are building a stronger support network for families affected by dementia across our community.

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