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Proudly Hosting The Dementia Collective Podcast!

What would it look like if our public spaces were designed to include people living with dementia? In this special episode of The Dementia Collective, Andrew Karesa sits down with Junette Huynh, Director of Projects, and Lindsay Paul, Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships at Parks Foundation Calgary, to explore the story behind the Martin Family Legacy Garden, Canada’s first dementia-inclusive public park. Opening in Calgary’s Dover community, the park was shaped through years of collaboration with Alzheimer Calgary, people living with dementia, caregivers, researchers, community organizations, and other partners. Junette and Lindsay explain how those perspectives influenced everything from colour-coordinated walking loops and wayfinding to accessible pathways, familiar furnishings, sensory elements, quiet spaces, and an intergenerational playground. In this episode: How Canada’s first dementia-inclusive public park came to be What actually makes a park dementia inclusive The principles of design Why walking loops, wayfinding, familiar design, and accessible pathways matter The role of intergenerational spaces in reducing dementia stigma How philanthropy and community partnerships brought the project to life How the park will be used for programming and future research How dementia-inclusive design could be incorporated into parks across Canada This is a conversation about dementia, accessibility, independence, community, and what can happen when we design public spaces with people living with dementia in mind. Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bluebellvillage.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://parksfoundation.ca/projects-and-partnerships/dementia-inclusive-park/ ——— Join The Village and help shape conversations like this by submitting questions to our guests: https://www.patreon.com/cw/blueBellVillage ——— 00:28 Introduction to the Dementia Park Initiative 03:42 Understanding Dementia Inclusive Parks 05:50 Catalysts for Change: The Role of Alzheimer Calgary 08:57 Designing for Accessibility and Safety 11:41 Funding and Community Support 14:37 Engaging the Community: Intergenerational Connections 17:41 Incorporating Indigenous Perspectives 20:39 Programming and Utilization of the Park 23:20 Navigating Seasonal Challenges 29:16 Designing for Dementia: The Four Pillars 35:06 Cost Considerations for Dementia-Inclusive Parks 37:28 Lived Experience: Impact on Project Development 43:56 Defining Success: Community Impact and Feedback 48:37 The Future of Dementia-Inclusive Parks 50:01 Advice for Municipalities: Embracing Community Needs ——— This episode is brought to you by Eugeria. Check out their website for dementia products you can trust. ——— Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider about your health. In an emergency, contact local emergency services. Guests’ views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Andrew Karesa or blueBell Village Ltd. Third-party references are for information only, not endorsements. You use this podcast at your own risk. Andrew Karesa, blueBell Village Ltd., and their team are not liable for any loss, injury, or damage arising from its use. 56:14
YouTube Video UExxYWcwUU01bW5IaEN3dFNkQ21kOUFFTE1FYUtYSHM2SC5FRDI4QjBEMTcwNTJEMzZG

Inside Canada's First Dementia-Inclusive Park | EP49

What if we could build a world that works better for people living with dementia? In this episode, Andrew Karesa sits down with Valerie Larochelle, CEO and co-founder of Eugeria, to explore how better products, technology, environments, and communities can help people living with dementia maintain independence, autonomy, and quality of life. Valerie’s work is deeply personal. Three of her four grandparents experienced cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. She shares what those experiences taught her about the difference between living with dementia and suffering from it, the realities families face navigating care, and why a dementia diagnosis does not mean that joy and meaningful life disappear. Together, Andrew and Valerie explore how dementia care can move beyond simply monitoring people toward actually supporting them. Valerie explains how thoughtfully designed technologies, from adapted phones and calendar clocks to medication dispensers and emerging AI tools, can compensate for cognitive changes and help people continue doing things for themselves. They also discuss the importance of bringing generations together, why children should not automatically be shielded from dementia, and what Valerie has learned from introducing her own children to family members living with cognitive impairment. IIn this episode: * Valerie’s family experience with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia * The difference between living with dementia and suffering from dementia * Why dementia can look different for every family * How Eugeria identifies and tests products for people living with dementia * Why dementia technology should support independence, not just monitor people * How cognitive aids can help people remain at home longer * The potential for AI to compensate for cognitive changes * Why children should be included in the lives of people living with dementia * The importance of intergenerational communities * Why Valerie believes there can still be joy and quality of life with dementia * How LEGO, design, and creativity could play a role in building a better world for aging This is a conversation about dementia, caregiving, innovation, independence, family, technology, and what it might look like to build a world designed to support people as their needs change, without losing sight of the person at the centre of it all. ——— Join The Village and help shape conversations like this by submitting questions to our guests: https://www.patreon.com/cw/blueBellVillage ——— 00:00 Valerie Larochelle 02:54 Valerie shares her personal experience with vascular dementia in her family 04:21 The importance of product vetting and quality control 06:10 Understanding the stability and progression of vascular dementia 08:02 Curated product selection versus mass-market platforms 09:08 The impact of early exposure to aging and dementia in childhood 12:18 The importance of community and intergenerational spaces for aging 13:19 Role of AI in personalized cognitive support 15:59 How society currently supports or neglects dementia and elder care 18:11 Expanding product categories to neurodiversity and aging 21:17 Valerie discusses her motivation and the founding of Eugeria 23:15 Innovative products like smart pill dispensers and adapted phones 26:22 The evolution of Eugeria’s product focus and innovation in dementia care 28:14 Addressing unmet needs in dementia and neurodiversity 31:00 The societal and systemic challenges in supporting caregivers 36:04 Valerie’s background and how her international experience shaped her vision 38:12 Personal reflections on caregiving and the human aspect 41:10 The macro trends in aging populations and future opportunities 43:06 Advice for caregivers 46:11 The importance of community-based, intergenerational support models 50:58 How to evaluate and implement effective dementia care products 56:03 Valerie’s advice for future entrepreneurs in elder care 01:01:10 Closing thoughts on aging, innovation, and societal change 01:17:27 Lego and Dementia 01:20:57 Leadership Perspectives 01:24:53 What if you develop a dementia? 01:28:09 Closing thoughts ——— Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider about your health. In an emergency, contact local emergency services. Guests’ views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Andrew Karesa or blueBell Village Ltd. Third-party references are for information only, not endorsements. You use this podcast at your own risk. Andrew Karesa, blueBell Village Ltd., and their team are not liable for any loss, injury, or damage arising from its use. 1:29:24
YouTube Video UExxYWcwUU01bW5IaEN3dFNkQ21kOUFFTE1FYUtYSHM2SC4xMTFCRDgyODkzQThBMEM3

Building a Better World for Dementia (with Valerie Larochelle) | EP48

What happens when we stop avoiding conversations about death and start talking about what matters most? In this episode, Andrew Karesa sits down with Lisa Pahl, licensed clinical social worker, end-of-life educator, healthcare and death doula, and CEO of The Death Deck, to explore why some of life’s most difficult conversations may also be the most important. Drawing on nearly two decades of hospice experience and her own family’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease, Lisa shares why planning ahead is one of the greatest gifts we can give the people we love. She reflects on caring for her grandmother with dementia, the lessons she learned supporting her mother-in-law through pancreatic cancer, and how those experiences inspired the creation of The Death Deck, The End-of-Life Deck, and The Dementia Deck. Together, Andrew and Lisa discuss why families often avoid conversations about dementia and death, what happens when those discussions never occur, and how uncertainty can lead to conflict, guilt, and second-guessing during some of life’s hardest moments. They also explore hospice care, advance care planning, preserving personhood, caregiver support, and why preparing for the future is not about giving up hope but about giving families clarity. This is a conversation about dementia, caregiving, hospice, family, grief, personhood, and the courage to have conversations before a crisis forces them. In this episode: • Why conversations about death should happen long before a crisis • What Lisa would do if she were diagnosed with dementia tomorrow • The lessons she learned caring for her grandmother with Alzheimer’s disease • How families can prepare for difficult healthcare decisions • Why preserving personhood matters throughout dementia • What to look for when choosing a hospice provider • The reality of caregiver guilt and second-guessing • Why advance care planning is a gift to your family • How The Dementia Deck helps families start difficult conversations • Why talking about death can help us live more intentionally Whether you are caring for a parent, spouse, grandparent, friend, neighbour, or someone living with dementia, this conversation is a reminder that none of us can predict the future. But by having honest conversations today, we can help the people we love face tomorrow with greater confidence, compassion, and peace. Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.bluebellvillage.ca⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://thedeathdeck.com/ ——— Join The Village and help shape conversations like this by submitting questions to our guests: https://www.patreon.com/cw/blueBellVillage ——— 00:00 Navigating Conversations About Dementia 09:24 The Importance of Early Conversations 19:27 Personal Experiences with Caregiving 29:19 Lessons Learned from Caregiving 39:19 Understanding Hospice Care 48:27 Navigating Hospice Fraud and Quality Concerns 01:00:42 The Importance of Open Conversations about Death 01:17:04 Impact of the Death Deck and End-of-Life Tools 01:20:27 Lightning Round 01:23:35 Adventures in Water: Swimming with Sharks 01:31:10 The Reality Behind Reality TV 01:34:20 The Dementia Deck Questions 01:37:33 Finding Hope in Humanity ——— Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider about your health. In an emergency, contact local emergency services. Guests’ views are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Andrew Karesa or blueBell Village Ltd. Third-party references are for information only, not endorsements. You use this podcast at your own risk. Andrew Karesa, blueBell Village Ltd., and their team are not liable for any loss, injury, or damage arising from its use. 1:40:37
YouTube Video UExxYWcwUU01bW5IaEN3dFNkQ21kOUFFTE1FYUtYSHM2SC45NjFBMjIyRUI0QzhCQzgz

Why I Wish We Talked About Death Sooner (with Lisa Pahl) | EP47

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Want more informative and impactful demetia content? Check out The Dementia Collective for more information.