Alzheimer's Awareness Month 2025: Meet Erin and Geoffrey

If a picture is worth a thousand words, Geoffrey Bird’s photography says a lot. His work expresses emotion that’s subtle, yet wholly moving. The focus of his work is his wife, Erin - a mother, a friend and a person living with Alzheimer’s disease.

Erin first noticed cognitive changes in 2015. Having worked her way up from assistant to HR professional in a prestigious law firm, Erin always knew exactly what needed to get done and how to do it. But when she found herself having to repeat tasks two or three times just to get it right, she knew something was up.

Erin kept things to herself, not even letting Geoffrey know when she spoke to a doctor about her concerns. Another year passed before things came to the surface.

“I'd noticed a number of things around the house: schedules being forgotten, lost keys or glasses which seemed easy to find,” Geoffrey says. “It coincided with my father’s dementia diagnosis. Similar things were happening in my parents’ household, so it raised a bit of a red flag.”

The Birds initially received mixed messages regarding Erin’s diagnosis, making it difficult to plan and move forward. After numerous appointments, referrals, tests, and scans over a number of years, Erin received a conclusive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in 2021.

Erin’s memory challenges had an effect on the Birds’ day-to-day life.  Erin retired and suddenly had plenty of free time to fill. Although still capable in many ways, cognitive changes prevented the couple from doing some activities they’d once enjoyed together. Geoffrey found himself pondering ways to engage with Erin’s diagnosis on a deeper level while also spending time with his wife.

Geoffrey had recently started a Master’s degree in photography at Falmouth University and decided to turn his lens of focus inwards, using both himself and Erin’s experience with dementia as inspiration for his projects.

Stolen: Flowers for My Wife is a self-published photobook that compares the delicate petals of a hydrangea to the brain of a person living with dementia. Once vibrant and full of colour, eventually the petals grow fragile and begin to fade, yet their beauty and essence remain unchanged.

StolenCars.ca is a website that showcases, through photography, the emotional struggle of having to give up driving due to a cognitive impairment. Only months after purchasing her Honda CRV (which happened to be the most stolen car in Canada), Erin had it stolen from her when her doctor advised her to surrender her license.

Both projects were part of fundraising initiatives that raised $7,000 for the Alzheimer Society of B.C.

The photography projects offer real insight into the experience of living with dementia, something to which a growing number of people can relate.

“A stranger reached out to me on Instagram and shared how the project had resonated with her because her father is in a similar situation,” Geoffrey says. “It’s been unexpected and rewarding!”

Geoffrey and Erin also joined the Lived Experience Partner Program, which provides opportunities for people living with dementia and caregivers to support the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s mission by sharing their experiences and insights.

“We’re a part of something that’s allowing for voices to be heard,” Geoffrey says.

Geoffrey balances many initiatives and his caregiving role with his career as instructor of Marketing Management at BCIT. Fortunately, he isn’t alone on the caregiving journey. Geoffrey and Erin’s daughter, Olivia, has also taken on a caregiving role. Like her father, she is caring for her mother while working towards a degree in education.

“Olivia is integral to the ongoing care, love and support within the household,” Geoffrey says.

The Birds’ extended family is also involved. Erin’s mother provides meals and support and when Erin was first diagnosed, her younger sister, Lanie, enrolled in a program through the Society so she could learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and continue to be a supportive person in her sister’s life.

Erin’s friends have also shown their support and treat Erin no differently now than they did before her diagnosis.

“They have been great,” Geoffrey shares. “They socialize with her a lot and often send invitations to various events and activities.”

Erin is very social. Once a week Erin attends Paul’s Club, a community day program in downtown Vancouver that includes games, walks, gelato, and dancing. The couple also keeps busy with their two dogs, Kula and Coco.

“You know, there are struggles along the way, but there is also lots of joy,” Geoffrey says.

Turning to Erin, he asks, “I think we still laugh a lot, don't we?”

With a smile, Erin agrees. “We do!”

“You have to embrace those little moment of joy,” Geoffrey adds. “And carry on laughing when you can.”