Who Really Holds the Healthcare System Together?
What if we recognized caregivers not as afterthoughts — but as the backbone of our healthcare system?
In this episode of The Dementia Collective, we sit down with Dr. Sharon Anderson — researcher, educator, caregiver, and one of the leading voices behind Alberta’s caregiver-centered care movement.
Sharon’s path to this work isn’t just academic — it’s deeply personal. Her own experience as a family caregiver opened her eyes to the cracks in the system, and she’s spent the last decade working to repair them from the inside out. Through education, co-design, and policy change, she’s helping reshape how caregivers — especially those supporting people with dementia — are seen, supported, and included.
Together with host Andrew Karesa, Sharon reflects on:
• Why double duty caregiving is becoming unsustainable — for people and for the system
• How her personal story became the catalyst for systems change
• The critical shift from patient-centered to caregiver-centered care
• What a caregiver-safe, dementia-friendly community actually looks like
• What gives her hope about the future of dementia support
This episode is a call to reimagine care — not just for those living with dementia, but for those walking beside them every step of the way.
Learn more at:
www.bluebellvillage.ca
https://www.ualberta.ca/en/medicine/resources/education/learning-design-studio/featured-projects/caregiver-centered-care.html
Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Andrew Karesa, blueBell Village Ltd., or any of its employees, contractors, or team members.