Our History

The Alzheimer Society was created by a group of people who believed that people caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s disease should not have to make that journey alone. Our history reflects decades of growth, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of people affected by dementia.

Three people are smiling and hugging. They are wearing Alzheimer Society aprons for fundraising.

If you or someone you know is living with or experiencing signs of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, connect with us. We can answer your questions about dementia and caregiving.

Call 1-877-949-4141 Monday to Friday.

Our Beginnings (1982–1989)

  • In February 1982, a small group of caregivers and advocates founded the Saskatchewan Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases Association Inc. (SARDA). Their goal? To ensure no one had to navigate Alzheimer’s disease alone. Early priorities included:
    • Establishing caregiver support groups
    • Raising awareness of dementia across Saskatchewan 
       
  • 1989: SARDA affiliated with the Alzheimer Society of Canada and became the Alzheimer Association of Saskatchewan (AAS).
    • A three‑year federal grant enabled the organization to hire its first professional staff member.
    • AAS expanded its provincial network to support family care providers.

Our Shift Towards Early Diagnosis and Support (1990–2000)

  • 1997: AAS formally became the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan Inc. (ASOS) to promote a unified name across the country, in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
     
  • 2000: Health Canada approved the first medications to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease for people in the early stages.
    • Earlier diagnosis meant both caregivers and people living with dementia increasingly sought information and support for themselves and their families.
    • In response, the Society developed Early Memory Loss Support Groups in Regina and Saskatoon for people with dementia and their care partners.

Strengthening Our Identity and Research Commitment (2003–2013)

  • 2003: Funding dementia research became a strategic priority for the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan.
    • The Society partnered with the Alzheimer Society of Canada to co-fund dementia research in Saskatchewan, including:
      • The Young Investigator’s Grant
      • A Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award
         
  • September 2004: The Society updated its vision and mission statements to explicitly include “related disorders.”
    • ​​​​​​​This change recognized that the Society supports individuals with a variety of dementias, including:
      • ​​​​​​​Vascular Dementia
      • Frontotemporal Dementia
      • Lewy Body Dementia
      • Mixed Dementia
         
  • April 2010: A major partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation established a $1 million Research Chair in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias.
    • Dr. Darrell Mousseau from the University of Saskatchewan was appointed as the Research Chair to study links between Alzheimer’s disease and depression.
       
  • 2013: The provincial government provided an additional $350,000 to fund the expansion of our First Link® program outside of Regina and Saskatoon.
    • Four new resource centres were established in the former Saskatchewan Health Regions of Sun Country, Cypress, Prairie North, and Prince Albert Parkland.

Meeting Growing Needs (2014–present) 

  • 2014: The Society grew to include eleven provincial staff, including a Public Awareness Coordinator and Dementia Helpline Coordinator, and nine First Link Coordinators.
     
  • 2019: Our most recent funding increase from the Government of Saskatchewan was announced, bringing us over $1 million in annualized funding. With this increase we were able to open a fifth resource centre in the former Sunrise Health Region and enhance our First Link Program.
     
  • 2020: The Society pivoted its program delivery to include virtual platforms such as Zoom. Doing this significantly increased our reach to support people living with dementia in rural and remote areas of the province.
     
  • 2024: We launched our “Unlock Dementia Research” major gifts campaign, which exceeded its $4M fundraising goal. $1M was directed towards brain health research, in partnership with Brain Canada and the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation.
     
  • 2025: We served over 3,500 clients from over 385 communities.
     
  • 2026: The Alzheimer Society currently has 30 full and part-time staff dedicated to fulfilling our mission. Our organization consists of 21 provincial staff and nine First Link Coordinators working in Alzheimer Society Resource Centres.​​​​​​​

Current and future projections: 

  • Over 20,000 people in Saskatchewan are living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia today.
     
  • More than 10 people develop dementia everyday in Saskatchewan.
     
  • The number of people living with dementia in Saskatchewan is projected to more than double over the next 30 years.
     
  • These growing numbers reinforce the urgent need for research, early intervention, equitable health care access, and comprehensive support services.


​​​​​​​The Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan remains committed empowering people to live well with dementia through the delivery of programs, services, advocacy, awareness, and research.