Challenging Stigma of Dementia

Presenter(s):

Jennifer Bethell, PhD Affiliate Scientist, KITE (Toronto Rehabilitation Institute) 

Jennifer Bethell, PhD, is an epidemiologist and health services researcher. She is interested in using large health administrative and survey datasets for mental health research across the life course. She is co-lead of the Engagement of People with Lived Experience of Dementia cross-cutting program of the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration and Aging.




Mr. Roger Marple

Roger Marple lives in Medicine Hat, Alberta and is the proud father and grandfather of 3 grown children and two grandsons. He is an avid sports enthusiast, enjoys playing tennis and golf, loves to travel and knows his way around the kitchen with a real appetite for baking. Roger worked for Alberta Health Services and has worked in supply management in the south zone for over 23 years. He also has young onset Alzheimer’s disease.  

Roger was invited to join the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s advisory group to help raise awareness of the needs of people with dementia, including the specific needs of people living with young onset and/or early stage dementia.  Roger also serves on the board of directors of the Alzheimer’s society of Alberta and North West Territories and is active in supporting dementia research in Canada. 

Since his diagnosis in the summer of 2015, Roger has made it his mission to dispel myths about the disease and the stigma associated with dementia. He is a firm believer that you can live well with this disease regardless of challenges and is passionate about sharing his message of hope.  




Laura Middleton, PhD, Associate Professor University of Waterloo

Laura Middleton is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology at the University of Waterloo and a research scientist at the Schlegel Research Institute for Aging. Her research aims to identify strategies to prevent dementia and promote wellbeing and independence among those living with dementia. She focuses on the influence of lifestyle, and specifically on the role of exercise alone and in combination with other therapeutic approaches (for example, cognitive training or healthy diet). She partners with people living with dementia, health care professionals, and community service providers to create accessible and effective solutions for people living with dementia in Canadian communities. One recent project (the ‘Dementia-Inclusive Choices for Exercise’ project) aims to increase the quality and quantity of exercise programs accessible to people living with dementia by improving understanding of dementia, decreasing stigma, and promoting use of inclusive practices

---