Event Date: Nov 16, 2021
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Recording
Stigma of dementia is one of the greatest issues for people with dementia and their care partners. It can lead to depression, low self-esteem, social isolation, and a decreased quality of life. Research shows that people fear dementia more than stroke, cancer, and heart disease combined. Despite this knowledge, few studies focus on actions to address stigma of dementia.
In this brainxchange webinar, Dr. Juanita-Dawne Bacsu, Rev’d Faye Forbes, Emily McLellan and Jody Peters will discuss eradicating stigma of dementia through lived experience, education, and research to improve the quality of life for all people affected by dementia.
Presenter(s):
Dr. Juanita-Dawne Bacsu
Dr. Juanita-Dawne Bacsu is a Postdoctoral Fellow working with Dr. Megan E. O’Connell and the Rural Dementia Action Research (RaDAR) Team at the University of Saskatchewan. She has been a research associate with the Saskatchewan Population Health and Evaluation Research Unit since 2009, and a board member with the Canadian Rural Health Research Society since 2011. Prior to this, she was a senior communications manager for the provincial government in Saskatchewan and co-owned a family medicine clinic. Her research interests include rural and remote aging, dementia, stigma, cognitive health promotion, health policy, and age-friendly environments.
Faye Forbes
Rev ’d Faye Forbes was born and raised in Nova Scotia, Canada, and currently resides in Windsor Junction. Faye is an Associate Priest at St Francis by the Lakes Anglican Church. Faye was diagnosed with dementia in 2010 and has personal experience as a caregiver for her grandfather and mother-in-law. After her diagnosis, she became an advocate for people living with dementia. She also became a founding committee member for the Dementia Friends Initiative, joined as a member of the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s board of directors, and is a director on the Board of the Nova Scotia Alzheimer's Society. Faye has also spoken at several conferences, including the G7 Global Action against Dementia and collaborated on an article for the Canadian Journal of Geriatric Medicine. Faye joined the CCNA’s Engagement of People with Lived Experience of Dementia in June 2020. Her research interests include quality of care and quality of life.
Emily McLellan
Emily McLellan currently resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In 2016-2017 Emily was an MSc student in neuroscience but was drawn away from this path when her father's young-onset Alzheimer’s reached a point where he needed daily care from her. Emily joined the CCNA’s Engagement of People with Lived Experience of Dementia in June 2020, a few months after her dad died. Emily has experienced three different perspectives: in her current role a hospital employee, as a trainee in neuroscience, and as a former care partner to a person living with dementia. Emily hopes to facilitate more collaboration between academic researchers, healthcare workers, people with lived experience.
Jody Peters
Jody Peters currently resides in Bancroft, Ontario, Canada and has volunteer experience as President of the Haliburton-Kawartha Maple Syrup Producers Association. Since 1993, he has been self-employed. Jody lives off-grid on a 134-acre property and produces maple syrup for commercial sale. He is also the Chair of the Bancroft-Haliburton Chapter of the Ontario Woodlot Association. When Jody’s wife, Joyce, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014, Jody became interested in sharing his experiences as her primary care partner. Jody joined the CCNA’s Engagement of People with Lived Experience of Dementia in June 2020 and his research interests include, but are not limited to, Alzheimer's disease and quality of care. He enjoys spending time with his children and dogs.