Gratitude Report 2025

Vision

An inclusive and caring community where people impacted by dementia are valued and empowered. When I listen to community members sharing their stories more openly, and with confidence, I feel a sense of growth and progress. This work matters. With dementia cases rising dramatically, we need to talk about it openly, provide practical support and tools, and shape the changes needed for the future.

Mission

We lead with our influence and expertise to help people impacted by dementia to live well and we build community capacity to support them.

Welcome

A message from Executive Director - Barb Ferguson, and Board Chair - Lois Wozney

As we reflect, we are filled with profound gratitude for the extraordinary community surrounding Alzheimer Calgary. This has been a year of remarkable growth, meaningful connections, and transformative impact. None of it would have been possible without your kind support.

Our landmark Still Me movement continues to reach wider audiences and inspire more hope, reshaping the way our community understands dementia. Together, we are opening hearts and minds to a condition that’s too often stigmatized, despite its significance in our local community. Your generosity allows us to respond with compassion and expertise to thousands of requests for support.

These stories from Beverly, Tanis, Alan, Helen, and others showcase the power of human connection to transform the dementia journey. Ours is a community that increasingly celebrates the abilities and contributions of people living with dementia.

We are pleased to be a partner in bringing Canada’s first public dementia-inclusive park to Calgary (coming in 2026). The Martin Family Legacy Garden will provide a safe and engaging environment for individuals and families living with dementia.

We are particularly proud of our team’s unwavering commitment to achieving accreditation by the Canadian Accreditation Council (CAC). We were awarded a perfect score, affirming that we maintain the highest standards of service delivery and organizational excellence.

Our backbone role with the Dementia Network Calgary continues, and their 10-year milestone reminds us that lasting change happens through sustained, collective commitment. We see unlimited potential for even more growth and enhanced community-level supports. Together, we are building foundations for an even more inclusive, understanding community.

Our hearts were filled on Thanksgiving weekend as our 2024 Walk and Run was a record-breaking celebration of participation and financial support – an outpouring of our community's growing commitment and passion for this cause.

Your contributions fund hope and connection, and reinforce our fundamental belief that every person impacted by dementia deserves to live with dignity and joy.

To our staff who show up with purpose every day, to our volunteers who give so generously of themselves, to our partners who amplify our impact, and to our donors who make it all possible – thank you. You are the reason hope shines in the stories we share.

Jeanne Bentley Award Recipients

Building Community Through Conversation

Local Volunteers Alan Rae and Helen Puls Amplify Dementia Support Through Connection

Every year, Alzheimer Calgary presents the Jeanne Bentley Award to an individual who has demonstrated a genuine commitment to improving the lives of people living with dementia. It is named in honour of our founder, Jeanne Bentley, and her groundbreaking vision of helping people impacted by dementia. This year, the award is jointly awarded to Alan Rae and Helen Puls, two volunteers transforming their communities. This is their story.

When Alan Rae's wife Joan began living with dementia, he discovered something profound during a vacation in Palm Desert: the healing power of simple conversation over coffee. What started as a personal search for connection has blossomed into a community touchpoint that now involves over 400 people across Calgary and area through Conversation Café community gatherings.

"The real inspiration is my wife, Joan," Alan explains. After experiencing a Conversation Café in Palm Desert, he recognized an opportunity to address a crucial gap in the local community. "There was a need for both care partners and people living with dementia to talk about what was going on in their lives, to share information, and to know they weren't alone on the dementia journey."

Helen Puls joined this mission from her own experience navigating the dementia journey with multiple family members. "Those were tough journeys. I had no help, nowhere to turn," she recalls. Since retiring, she has found her calling in supporting others facing similar challenges.

Over the past eight years, Alan and Helen have nurtured the organic growth of Conversation Cafés from three initial groups to 17 gatherings across the Calgary region.

Alan describes his involvement as his "new lifetime retirement job that gives me purpose. We don't have family close by and I've created my own family with the people at the Cafés.”

“Conversation Cafés embody the very best of humanity. At its core, [it] is an act of hope. It is a choice to believe in the value of connection, to nurture dignity, and to sow seeds of comfort, even in the face of uncertainty.”
- Terry, caregiver and Conversation Café participant

Helen emphasizes the importance of listening. "People need to be heard," she explains. The magic happens in connections that extend beyond formal gatherings. In Airdrie, one Café grew so large it spawned monthly potlucks and specialized care partner sessions, with several couples now traveling together as lifelong friends.

Helen shares, "They know that dementia has not ended their lives; they've found new life."

The Cafés serve as safe spaces where vulnerability meets understanding. Helen shares the story of a quiet individual managing dementia alone. Though group settings felt overwhelming, connections made through a Café led to the right support for her. "The reach beyond the Café is what is truly special about them."

As Jeanne Bentley Award recipients, Alan and Helen emphasize the need for education and reducing stigma. "We don't do it for recognition. We do it from our hearts," she reflects. "We want to help people feel less alone and know that there is still so much life to live."

Through creating spaces for authentic connection, Alan and Helen have demonstrated that profound support often comes from the simple act of gathering people to share their stories over coffee - transforming lives one conversation at a time.

StillMe - A Year of Hope, Growth, and Transformation

The mission in motion

The StillMe movement is a strategic initiative by Alzheimer Calgary - a bold campaign to help reshape how our community understands and responds to dementia. We continued the vital work of challenging myths, decreasing stigma, and proving that joy is not only possible with dementia, but abundant.

The StillMe movement champions a more optimistic truth we see every day: people with dementia are living full, connected lives and deserve to be seen as whole people, not being defined by their diagnosis.

Opening Heart and Minds

Local people are finding more connection, hope and optimism:

84% of site visitors reported increased feelings of hope from visiting stillme.ca (up from 80% last year)
The StillMe social movement has doubled since 2023 and Alzheimer Calgary's community base has grown
StillMe website traffic has surged over 60% over the previous year
Record event participation and fundraising results in 2024 demonstrate the power of more awareness
StillMe resources have proven to be an effective training tool for new volunteers, nursing students and youth
We expanded campaign presence in rural communities around Calgary

Awareness is Skyrocketing

11 new partnerships with local businesses
About 1,000 people explored the new dementia share card resource (enables care partners to communicate discreetly and with dignity when out in community)
More people are sharing their stories on social media and reaching out for help

"We appreciate how kind and respectful the messaging is. The word “dignity” comes to mind." - A local caregiver

Courage is in Everyone

This progress is possible only with the courage and strength of people who share their stories, volunteers who give of their time, and the true generosity of our donors.

Even Greater Impact Ahead

Our commitment extends beyond awareness to action. We're investing in reaching people online, fostering new community champions, and developing more practical resources.

StillMe will become even more integrated into every aspect of Alzheimer Calgary's work, serving as the strategic engine that helps ignite growing awareness, connection, and engagement.

Together, we're reshaping perceptions about dementia, demonstrating that every story matters, every moment has value, and hope is within reach.

Dementia Network Calgary

Dementia Network Calgary leverages the power of community, amplifying diverse voices and expertise to address community-wide issues along the dementia journey. With Alzheimer Calgary as the backbone organization, the Network brings together people and organizations from the private, public, and non-profit sectors to reduce stigma, advocate for support, and improve systems navigation.

In 2024, Dementia Network Calgary (the Network) celebrated 10 years as a collective impact initiative. The Network’s longevity and progress are a testament to the support of Alzheimer Calgary’s donors in furthering social progress and innovation.

In April 2024, the Network's Strategic Council defined five priority areas for the coming years:

Advocacy

Champion policies and initiatives that support aging in place, promote a relational model of care that prioritizes dignity, independence, and quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their families.

System Navigation

Enhance awareness and access to essential resources, ensuring that individuals, caregivers, and healthcare providers can easily find the information and support they need at every stage of the dementia journey.

Early Diagnosis

Strengthen efforts in early detection, timely diagnosis, and proactive intervention to improve long-term outcomes.

Public Awareness

Challenge misconceptions about dementia by increasing public education, fostering understanding, and encouraging inclusive conversations that reduce fear and stigma surrounding cognitive decline.

Dementia-Inclusive Communities

Create environments where people living with dementia feel safe, valued, and supported - whether in public spaces, workplaces, or healthcare settings. Strengthen community initiatives that promote accessibility and inclusion.

The Network in Action

When fundamental changes were made to a meaningful program for families impacted by dementia, the Network got to work. They spoke with families and advocated for important course corrections in collaboration with the Alberta government and Alberta Health Services (AHS). The outcome was resoundingly positive, enabling people to continue accessing services without disruption. A tremendous example of the Network in action.

Canada's First Dementia Inclusive Public Park

We are thrilled to be a partner in building this milestone space, a project that began a few years ago. Now named The Martin Family Legacy Garden and led by Parks Foundation Calgary, it will cater to the needs of individuals living with dementia, providing a safe and engaging environment to enjoy with their families.

This $4MM project was made possible through the collaboration of several community members and partner organizations, with support from the Government of Alberta and Alberta Blue Cross. Their contributions, together with the inspiring support of countless donors, emphasize the importance of creating a more inclusive society where everyone can enjoy the outdoors to the fullest, regardless of their cognitive abilities. Construction is now underway and expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

More at: Parks Foundation

Visit the new Dementia Network Calgary website

Dementia Network Calgary

The park represents a shift toward a more inclusive society where everyone can enjoy the outdoors, regardless of their cognitive abilities.

Martin Family Legacy Garden

Click to visit

A Need for Help in System Navigation

Dr. Gwen McGhan's research team, supported by Alzheimer Calgary and Dementia Network Calgary, made a crucial discovery about what families affected by dementia need most.

In consultation with family caregivers and care professionals, researchers uncovered a healthcare landscape characterized by silos and barriers. Families are navigating multiple entry points while coordinating different aspects of care across specialists, often feeling lost in the complexity.

What's needed most

Upon Diagnosis. This moment is one of maximum vulnerability and fear, often characterized by families without knowledge of resources or system navigation support.
Transition to Long-Term Care: This is an extraordinarily difficult decision and transition; contrary to assumption, primary caregivers' responsibilities often increase during this period, as they navigate financial burdens, organizational barriers, and the coordination of care not addressed within facilities.

What's next

The community-driven approach has allowed the research team to identify where interventions can have the biggest impact and will shape future recommendations. "Alzheimer Calgary and Dementia Network Calgary have been instrumental in the work that we've done," reflects Dr. McGhan.

Building Inclusive Dementia Support

CONNECTION. RESPECT. LEARNING.

Dementia doesn't discriminate - but access to support often does. Language barriers, cultural differences, and stigma can leave entire communities isolated when facing dementia. We are bridging these gaps so every family has access to care.

Every community holds its own strengths, traditions, and ways of caring, yet language differences, cultural beliefs, and stigma can make it difficult for some to connect with formal services. For the past three years, Alzheimer Calgary has been working with communities and organizations across the city to make dementia support more accessible, culturally relevant, and trusted.

Our collaboration with Immigrant Services Calgary reflects the value of meeting people where they are. As an official Gateway partner organization, we help ensure families have clear, culturally informed pathways to dementia support.

We are also welcomed as guests into Immigrant Services Calgary programs - from English language classes, where we’ve shared information with interpretation and translated materials, to seniors’ gatherings like the Immigrant Senior Summer Camp. This past July, our two-part summer camp series was the first time many participants had spoken openly about dementia. Through storytelling and sharing, we explored memories, cultural perspectives, and personal experiences, while learning about ways to reduce risk, recognize early warning signs, and understand responsive behaviours.

These collaborations, whether in community centres, religious spaces, or cultural gatherings, are about connection, respect, and learning together. We are building a Calgary where dementia support is accessible and relevant for everyone.

In a community with more diagnoses, more complexities, and stretched systems, no one has to do it alone.

Guidance along an uncertain path

We do everything we can to help local people navigate the realities of living with dementia - by equipping them with tools, building community connections, reducing stigma, validating their lived experiences, understanding ongoing changes, and helping them find the right support and resources.

Education offerings and support services we provide to caregivers and care professionals help them:

Build their own capacity
Gain confidence
Learn how to ask the right questions and share their experiences
Develop tangible skills
Gain knowledge and effective strategies to support their person, their community, and themselves

Learning and Support Services 2024 stats

Building Community Through Support Groups

In alignment with our strategic priorities, we’ve transformed our support groups to meet rising demand and build even more community capacity. Recognizing the positive impact of social connections and support, we're empowering people to sustain their own support groups with a new six-week program led by trained peer facilitators and continued support for groups to connect outside of the formal structure. Beyond initial program delivery, we support them through alumni gatherings, fostering long-term connections that strengthen our entire community.

Our pilot group launched successfully and, thanks in large part to the increase in volunteer facilitators, grew to four active support groups by March 2025. Operating both online and in-person to ensure accessibility for everyone, we're on track to reach our goal of ten support groups by December 2025.

This new model allows us to support more people, sooner.

"My support group was a lifeline. I learned that it's normal to grieve that your person isn't able to do the same things they used to, and that they're changing. You can move on from that grief and re-frame what you can still do with them." - Tanis, a local caregiver

A Caregiver's Journey

When Beverly and Doug took to the dance floor at their retirement community's spring event, the weight of Alzheimer's disease seemed to lift from their shoulders. For a few magical moments, as they jived to the music, they were simply a couple in love.

"Seeing him happy is the absolute best," Beverly says, her eyes bright with the memory. These fleeting moments of connection have become increasingly precious over the eleven years since Doug's Alzheimer's diagnosis in 2014.

The Journey Begins

Beverly, a retired Registered Nurse, never imagined she would use her professional knowledge to care for her own husband. The first signs appeared during a house move when "things were getting muddled," she recalls. Having watched her own mother live with dementia, Beverly recognized the warning signs.

Finding Lifeline Support

Three years ago, the couple moved to Calgary to be closer to family. Beverly connected with Alzheimer Calgary and its Club 36 program - where Doug now attends twice weekly. "He comes home happy," Beverly says. "They're really good to him there."

These respite hours are invaluable, giving Beverly time for herself while providing Doug with crucial social time he has difficulty finding elsewhere.

“He comes home happy. They're really good to him [at Club 36].”

The Reality of Caregiving

"You marry someone because you enjoy sharing things and experiences, and that becomes more difficult," Beverly explains. Making decisions for another adult is particularly difficult for her, though she maintains her resilience, knowing that joyful days will follow the tough ones.

The Critical Difference

When asked what would happen without organizations like Alzheimer Calgary, Beverly shares that she would worry about caregivers’ ability to manage.

For new caregivers, she offers vital advice: "Let people know; do not keep it a secret. Find a support system. Don't feel guilty."

Even amid challenges, there are still moments of profound connection - like their spring dance - that remind them of the love sustaining their 25-year marriage.

Their story illuminates how community support makes navigating this difficult journey possible. And sometimes, when the music is right, they can still dance together.

Hope at Club 36

The Courage to Keep Going: Tanis's Story

When Tanis and her father first noticed changes in her mother's memory in 2012, they couldn't have imagined the journey ahead. What surprised Tanis most about becoming a caregiver was dementia's unpredictable nature - just when they adjusted to one challenge, another would emerge. "The challenges my mom was having four to five years ago were far different than they were later," Tanis explains. "We were always playing catch-up."

The nights were particularly difficult, with sleepless hours worrying about falls and safety. "We both felt we needed to oversee her care at all times, as she was vulnerable."

Finding Hope Through Club 36

Alberta Health Services connected them to Club 36, Alzheimer Calgary's adult day program. It was a turning point for their family. "It was a blessing for mom to be accepted into the program," Tanis says. "They treated people as individuals; team members focused on abilities instead of the downside of the disease."

Her mother was paired with university students for art projects, creating meaningful connections. One student told Tanis, "I don't have grandparents here, and I am so grateful to spend time with your mom."

For Tanis's mother, Club 36 became a constant in an increasingly confusing world. "She always wanted to go to Club. She truly felt connections with other members and staff."

The program's stability proved essential. "People with dementia need routine and predictability. The staff has expertise and they're putting it into practice at Club 36."

"The thing that I saw in my mom was her courage," Tanis says tearfully. "She kept going. She had quality of life, and she worked hard at it."

"A lot of people would fall through the cracks without the programs from Alzheimer Calgary. Both people with the disease and caregivers would really suffer because we both need support to move forward in a meaningful way."

Her final message carries deep gratitude: "My mom would want to thank everyone involved at Club 36. We are all so touched by the empathy shown. They're making a big difference."

Smiles on the faces of Club 36 Members

The Lifeline of Dementia Support Navigators

The phone rings. One of our Dementia Support Navigators answers with the warmth that has become her trademark. On the other end is a voice she's come to know well - a wife whose husband is living in a world that exists decades in the past, where trauma from his childhood now fills every waking moment. This type of call from caregivers of people living with dementia who are reliving traumatic childhood experiences happens all too often. They are calling for help with how to support their loved one, all while managing their own experience and deep emotions.

This is the reality our Dementia Support Navigators face every day, made possible through the generous support of donors who understand that sometimes the most profound gift is simply being human together.

The Heart of What We Do

Our Dementia Support Navigators are registered Social Workers who serve as lifelines for families navigating one of the most profoundly challenging journeys. They provide individualized support through in-person visits, phone calls, and virtual sessions that bring families together across distances.

In a world of automated systems, our navigators offer genuine human connection when it's needed most. "We love talking to people; we want people to call; they deserve humans to talk to," says Kaylee Strachan, Dementia Support Navigator and Team Leader.

Navigating Without a Roadmap

Calls come from spouses who once shared equal partnerships now providing intimate care alone, adult children watching parents change cognitively while still physically present, and friends unsure how to help. Questions vary: Is this behavior normal? What should I do? Sometimes callers don't even know what to ask.

Beneath every conversation lies a deeper need - to be heard, understood, and validated in an isolating experience. Our navigators understand that sometimes the most important thing is simply listening.

The Weight of Change

What navigators hear most is intense grief of caregivers and relationships fundamentally changing as roles shift. Spouses find themselves with no one to share deepest feelings, afraid to burden adult children with new realities.

Our navigators provide what families desperately need - a safe space to express the full range of emotions without judgment or pressure.

Every phone call answered, every family guided through healthcare systems, every moment of validation offered - is made possible by donors who understand that some needs can't be met by medical interventions alone.

Your support allows us to provide professional expertise and genuine compassion to families facing some incredibly complex circumstances.

The woman whose husband lives in childhood trauma will call again tomorrow, and our navigators will be there. This conversation - and thousands like it - happens because you believe in human connection during life's most difficult moments.

"I speak regularly with a care partner as she transitions her husband to higher levels of care. In the beginning, our conversations focused on how to access services, what to expect, and how to make the right decisions. Lately, our conversations focus on how she’s feeling, what she’s done with her grandchildren, and how she’s finding moments of joy again."
- Niki, Dementia Support Navigator

2024 Walk and Run - a Record Year

Together we are building dementia inclusive communities

Your support ensures people have a place to turn when they need it most.

Thank you for believing in this work.

Donors provide the steady foundation that allows us to plan, grow, and respond to our community's evolving needs. This means we can maintain programs year-round, invest in long-term initiatives, and be there when families need us most, without wondering if funding will be available.

Your support allowed someone to feel hope for the first time since diagnosis.

For Janet and her niece, Jessica, supporting Alzheimer Calgary’s Walk & Run isn’t just an annual family tradition — it’s an expression of love, remembrance, and resilience. What began years ago as a way to honour Janet’s mother (Jessica’s grandmother), Sharon, has grown into something far more powerful: a beacon of connection for families impacted by dementia, and a joyful act of community support that continues to grow year after year.

Inspiring Supporters

DEMENTIA HAS TOUCHED THE LIVES OF OVER HALF OF CALGARIANS

You are helping make life better for them.

Every donation received translates to immediate action - expanding learning opportunities, enhancing support services, and ensuring no one faces dementia alone.

Care Homes with Big Hearts

In 2024, several local care homes proved that compassion knows no boundaries, launching initiatives that brought the mission directly to their residents. One care home orchestrated multiple events throughout the year, inspiring a private donor to match their efforts, resulting in over $10,000 raised.

"These partnerships don't just raise funds - they create spaces where conversations about dementia can happen openly, breaking down walls of isolation that so many families face," notes Senior Philanthropy Officer, Lisa Laughton.

Young Steps, Big Impact

With participation increasing 20% year over year in our annual Walk and Run event, we're seeing younger generations stepping forward in unprecedented numbers.

Carson Rapke is one remarkable young participant, raising $620. His story exemplifies how awareness can spark action at any age.

"It was great to see that what we were doing wasn't just about fundraising; it was about raising awareness, acknowledging people with real experiences, and advocating for people finding the support they need," says Carson’s mom, Jacy.

Gifts That Give Back

Lynn Copeland transformed her birthday celebration into an opportunity for change, simply by asking friends and family for donations instead of gifts. This straightforward act, combined with her successful golf tournament, generated over $10,000 to support local families.

Breaking Records, Building Hope

Robert Murray took fundraising to extraordinary heights - first by achieving a Guinness World Record for hands-free bicycle riding in a parking lot, and later hosting a lawn bowling tournament. His innovative approach reminds us all that creativity can be a powerful force for good. Next year, Robert plans to set another Guinness World Record. Spoiler alert: he’s been seen working on his juggling skills!

Financial Summary 2025

Your Dollars Fund Hope and Joy

This is our story. This is your story.

"I give to Alzheimer Calgary because of the local focus – I can see where my money is going, and I can see the programs in action.” - Donor

Your generosity transforms lives every day. When caregivers find a supportive ear, Beverly and Doug step out on the dance floor, and people living with dementia find courage at Club 36 – these moments happened because of you.

YOUR INVESTMENT AT WORK

With newly achieved accreditation from the Canadian Accreditation Council and a track record spanning decades, we turn your support into immediate impact. Your donations fund essential programs that build strength, hope, resilience, and joy. The reach of the Still Me social movement is expanding, and local families are increasing knowledge and finding valuable connections. Your investment funds transformative change and ensures we can meet ever-growing needs in the local community.

INVESTING IN PROGRESS

Our 2024 Walk & Run achieved new heights, and we were privileged to receive generous support from individuals, corporations, funders, and partners. The Internally Restricted Endowment Fund returns 5% of the market value annually to fund operations and Strategic Initiatives.

We chose to make strategic investments in the Martin Family Legacy Garden park project and to prepare in-depth for the accreditation process. Our progress demonstrates our care and stewardship of your resources in building a more inclusive Calgary, and recognition of our industry-leading governance practices.

BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE

Your philanthropy creates a community where dementia is met with understanding, families find hope, and people living with dementia are celebrated for who they still are. Your support helps maintain essential services and propels us toward progress and solutions that build our community’s capacity overall.

We are steadfast in our fiscal responsibility, ensuring that every dollar is managed with care to maximize impact. We continue to evolve, leveraging new technologies to improve efficiencies and further strengthen programs to achieve the very best outcomes.