Video: How to improve dementia support in Canada in 2023
In the first discussion of Dementia Talks! Canada of 2023, we have an important conversation on how we can all work to improve dementia support nationwide this year.
Background
In September 2022, the Alzheimer Society of Canada launched a major study that included a long list of ways to improve dementia risk reduction and dementia care nationwide.
Now, for the January 2023 edition of Dementia Talks! Canada, we chat with a variety of experts about ways they’d like to see dementia support improve over the next 12 months.
Together, we talk about
- how established and emerging researchers see opportunities for positive change
- how brain health projects designed to reach Canadians who speak multiple languages are growing
- how to connect with the Alzheimer Society’s nationwide First Link® program, which provides free, evidence-based dementia help to folks across the country
- what it's like to provide long-distance care, and how that can be better supported
More info
Dementia Talks! Canada is produced by Alzheimer Society of Canada in partnership with Brain Canada. To view past talks in this series, visit youtube.com/AlzheimerCanada or alzheimer.ca/Talks.
Our speakers
Dr. Lillian Hung
Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia School of Nursing, Clinician Scientist at the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Founder of the Innovation in Dementia and Aging Lab (or IDEA Lab) at the University of British Columbia
Dr. Lillian Hung is an Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia School of Nursing, and a Clinician Scientist at the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. Dr. Hung is interested in patient-oriented research and the innovation of care for those living with dementia and their caregivers. She is a connector of people and a supporter of passionate new researchers.
Through the creation of the IDEA Lab, Dr. Hung has brought together a team of enthusiastic academics and patient and family partners who are pursuing innovation in dementia and aging research through co-designing of projects and sharing in the benefits of collaborative research.
Adebusola (Busola) Adekoya
Registered Nurse and a PhD candidate in the School of Public Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo
Adebusola (Busola) Adekoya is a Registered Nurse and a PhD candidate in the School of Public Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo. Busola is passionate about the rights of persons living with dementia to receive quality care and maintain optimal quality of life. Her research focuses on persons living with dementia at risk of going missing and the use of innovative strategies to promote safe walking.
Sybil Braganza
Co-ordinator of the Ethno-cultural Seniors Project at the Social Planning Council of Ottawa
Sybil Braganza is Coordinator of the Ethno-Cultural Seniors Project at the Social Planning Council of Ottawa. In her work, Sybil collaborates with several community groups to create, distribute and assess new multilingual and culturally appropriate brain-health resources and programs. This includes work with and for Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Haitian and Ethiopian seniors and their families — and beyond.
Previously, Sybil was Community Planner and Community Social Worker with the City of Calgary, as well as Coordinator of Interpretation and Translation Services with Alberta Health Services. Sybil has a Master of Social Work from the University of Calgary.
Catherine Macpherson
Caregiver in Montreal and Halifax
Catherine Macpherson is a “sandwich generation” caregiver, looking after her own three children while attempting to care for her aging parents from a distance. Her father is primary caregiver to her mother, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Catherine is learning the ropes – while minding the gaps – of varying provincial home care, health care, and long-term care systems, both public and private. She participates in virtual caregiver support groups through the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, where her parents live. They are all on this journey together.
Cat grew up in Nova Scotia, did post-secondary studies in Montreal and Boston, and holds a Master of Arts in Gastronomy. She has worked in the food industry, in journalism, communications, public relations, and currently freelances as a project editor in the educational publishing industry. She lives in Montreal. Her favourite job is still cheese mongering.
Melody Neufeld
Client Services Team Manager for Central and Northern Saskatchewan at the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan
Melody Neufeld is the Client Services Team Manager for Central and Northern Saskatchewan at the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan. Melody holds a Bachelor of Social Work and is registered with the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers. She also has a Graduate Certificate in Theology. Melody has spent most of her working career within the Sask Health Authority. She joined the Alzheimer Society in March 2020 and is excited to work with persons with dementia and their families as their dementia journey unfolds.
