Dementia Friendly Communities Awards

2024 is our inaugural Dementia Friendly Communities Awards in Nova Scotia! We will be recognizing four awards: 

• Dementia Friendly Voice: Recognizes a person living with dementia who has been an integral part of a project aimed at improving the lives of people affected by dementia or has used their voice to raise awareness or to advocate.
• Dementia Friendly Ally: Recognizes a person who has been an integral part of a project aimed at improving the lives of people affected by dementia or has used their voice to raise awareness or to advocate.
• Dementia Friendly Group: Recognizes a group of two or more people who have improved the lives of people affected by dementia in their community.
• Dementia Friendly Organization: Recognizes a not-for-profit organization or for-profit business that has implemented a dementia friendly initiative that supports their clients and/or employees affected by dementia.

Award recipients will be announced and presented at our 2024 Annual General Meeting on June 26. 

We're proud to share our 2024 Dementia Friendly Communities Awards Finalists in all four categories! Read through their bios to learn about the incredible work our finalists are doing to make their communities more dementia friendly. 

Dementia Friendly Voice Finalists

Sandra Britten

Sandra has been an unwavering advocate for dementia awareness and support since 2015. Through speaking engagements at various forums, conferences, and public events, she shares her personal journey and promotes understanding of dementia. Sandra actively engages with the community, collaborating on projects to improve dementia-friendly spaces and advocate for rights. She participates in research projects, volunteers for ASNS, and participates in international advocacy groups. Sandra's resilience and passion inspire others to see beyond the diagnosis and recognize the individual. She fosters dialogue, challenges stigma, and empowers others to live well with dementia, embodying the ethos of "nothing about us without us."
 

Faye Forbes

Faye is a dedicated advocate for people living with dementia, serving on multiple boards nationally and provincially, including the Alzheimer Society of NS, and committees at both provincial and national levels. Through speaking engagements at universities, conferences, podcasts, and community groups, she dispels myths and fosters understanding of dementia. Faye's courage and grace create safe spaces for reflection and learning, inspiring others to support those affected by dementia. Her impact on growing dementia-friendly communities in Nova Scotia is profound, and her advocacy continues to mobilize the community to provide support and understanding for individuals and families living with dementia.

 

Marilyn Taylor

Marilyn was invaluable to ASNS from 2015 to 2023, advocating for dementia awareness through various platforms. Her impactful speeches at forums, conferences, and awareness events, coupled with her involvement in planning committees, have significantly raised awareness. Marilyn actively engages with universities, advocating for person-centered approaches to dementia care. She has been instrumental in making public spaces, like bus stops and medical clinics, more dementia friendly.  Marilyn's dedication extends beyond Nova Scotia; she continues her advocacy in Alberta, where she now lives, and internationally. Her personal journey and passionate advocacy inspire others to see beyond the diagnosis and foster understanding and support for those affected by dementia.

Dementia Friendly Ally Finalists

Anne Belliveau

Anne has been an active volunteer with the society since 2017, co-facilitating support groups in Sackville and Tantallon with Pamela Plant, presenting for the Speakers Bureau, and advocating for dementia friendly communities. Her dedication extends to organizing and leading teams annually for IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s and initiating a Memory Cafe in Tantallon. Anne's personal experience with her mother drives her passion for improving the lives of those affected by dementia. Energetic and empathetic, she collaborates with local organizations to promote awareness and nationally with the Canadian Dementia Learning Resource Network. Anne's proactive approach and community connections make her invaluable part of advancing ASNS's mission and supporting individuals impacted by dementia.

 

Leona Wilneff

Leona is a driving force in initiating dementia-friendly initiatives in Mulgrave. Through meetings with council members and business leaders, she facilitated information sessions on Dementia Friendly Communities, secured space for educational events, and advocated for caregiver support. Leona's dedication to her community is evident in her efforts to promote inclusivity and support for seniors and families living with dementia. Her leadership and passion for inspiring others to become dementia-friendly allies make her a deserving nominee for the Dementia Friendly Ally award. Her ongoing commitment to education and advocacy will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the Mulgrave community.

 

Veronica Marsman

Veronica has been pivotal in connecting the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia (ASNS) with Black communities since 2018. Through her networks (the Association of Black Social Workers and the Health Association of African Canadians), she facilitated ASNS's presence at various events, including church gatherings and healthcare forums, reaching African Nova Scotians provincewide. Veronica's advocacy led to collaborations with Black social workers and organizations, enabling ASNS to provide culturally relevant education and support. She is a strong advocate for race-based data collection and for designated African Nova Scotian coordinators. Veronica's efforts have increased awareness of dementia and ASNS services, fostering Dementia Friendly Communities and paving the way for greater inclusivity and support.

 

Erin Morice

Erin Morice, Manager of Collection Development with Halifax Public Libraries, led the creation of "Memory Kits," a new library collection filled with activities and resources for those living with dementia. With guidance from ASNS, Erin carefully and thoughtfully curated these kits, and advocated for the kits through television, radio, and print media, garnering provincewide attention. Erin's efforts prompted interest from other regions in Nova Scotia and nationally. These kits, designed to adapt to changing abilities, promote meaningful engagement for those affected by dementia, sparking conversations and inquiries beyond library patrons and into healthcare communities.

Dementia Friendly Group Finalists

Nick Zamora and Luke Moffatt

Nick and Luke, Wolfville Recreation Department, have been instrumental in fostering dementia-friendly communities. Over five years, they've organized social opportunities like memory cafes, providing hands-on support and advocating for inclusion. Amid COVID-19, they innovated with personalized deliveries and advocacy videos, reducing isolation. Nick's provincial leadership expanded memory cafes to nine communities, earning recognition from Recreation Nova Scotia. Their grant-writing expertise ensured sustainability, while personal connections with participants enhanced accessibility. Their humility and warmth amplify their impact, inspiring others to create welcoming spaces for those living with dementia. Their efforts have catalyzed inclusive recreation programming locally and province-wide, earning them heartfelt appreciation.

 

Giselle Davis and Laura Sangster

Giselle and Laura lead the “Low Intensity 10-Week Exercise Program”.  This inclusive health and wellness group has been transformative for participants. The program combines low-impact exercises with social interaction, providing a supportive environment where everyone feels included. The participants eagerly anticipate the twice-weekly sessions where they are treated as an equal.

Giselle and Laura’s approach blends simplicity with effectiveness and allows participants of all abilities to join in. With their encouragement, participants feel empowered and “normal” again, even gaining access to the track for additional exercise. Their welcoming community program has become a beacon of hope and joy.

 

The2fidgeteers - Cathy Dunbar and Beth McBrine

For 7 years, lifelong friends Cathy Dunbar and Beth McBrine have lovingly crafted "fidget quilts" for people living with dementia, inspired by Cathy's experience with her mother.  The quilts are a gift from the2fidgeteers to anyone with dementia that needs one.  the2fidgeteers, have made over 1,600 quilts, shipping them worldwide. While most requests come from Nova Scotia, orders have been shipped as far as British Columbia, Florida and even to the United Kingdom and Australia. Cathy and Beth have also produced and donated a large number of mini (12-inch) quilts, which are used by local RCMP and hospital staff in emergency situations to provide comfort to adults with dementia who have become lost or are in unfamiliar surroundings.   Each quilt is personalized with vibrant fabrics and attachments tailored to the recipient's interests, from pets to hobbies. They've garnered community support and donations. They continue to be fuelled by heartwarming stories and shared laughter.   

 

Paul Brothers and Eilish Bonang

Paul and Eilish have consistently featured ASNS, notably during January Alzheimer Awareness Month. Utilizing their trusted position as news anchors, they educate the public about the impact of dementia, leveraging their platform to reach a broad audience to promote understanding. Their extensive coverage includes stigma-busting interviews such as featuring a runner living with dementia participating in the Bluenose.

Paul's emceeing and advocacy amplifies ASNS's initiatives, fostering community engagement. Though Eilish has moved on from Global, her time there has made an impact. Their commitment to spreading awareness and supporting ASNS underscores their dedication to community education and advocacy.

Dementia Friendly Organization Finalists

ElderDog

ElderDog Canada, founded by Dr. Ardra Cole, a researcher at MSVU focusing on Alzheimer’s disease, is an inspiration in dementia care.  Programs include virtual sessions educating on dogs' role in dementia care and in-home dog care support. Volunteers undergo specialized training, promoting inclusive and respectful interactions with seniors, especially those with dementia. The organization's principles aim to keep seniors and their dogs together, fostering emotional and physical well-being. Dr. Cole's research informs inclusive long-term care models, advocating for dogs' vital role in dementia care. ElderDog Canada, a federally registered charity based in Nova Scotia, boasts over 500 volunteers in Nova Scotia aiding seniors, including those with dementia, and their canine companions.

 

Northwood Adult Day Program

Northwood Adult Day operates across four sites and is currently working on developing a new site in Fall River and a unique Afric Centric program in Dartmouth. Specializing in dementia care, the program offers respite and tailored engagement for clients. It advises care partners on supporting people with dementia and accessing community resources. Each space is dementia-friendly, minimizing noise and distractions. Northwood contributes to rural program development and subsidizes fees to ensure accessibility. Testimonials attest to its transformative impact, inspiring the board to sustain funding despite challenges. Recognized by the Department of Seniors, Northwood mentors new programs province-wide, fostering community partnerships and innovative models using expertise from staff with expertise in Nursing and Therapeutic Recreation.

 

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, under the stewardship of Laura Carmichael and the now-retired Dale Sheppard, has been an invaluable partner in the ongoing success of the Artful Afternoon - an inclusive program for people with dementia and their care partners to take part in viewing and creating art.

This program provides a creative outlet for people in the early-mid stages of dementia and a place for them to connect with others on the same journey, without the focus being on dementia. Lux Gow-Habrich, the artist/facilitator until 2024, was engaging, compassionate and provided a therapeutic, accessible and fun experience for participants while they viewed and created art. 

This organization has shown how it is possible to make art accessible and engaging for people with dementia and how meaningful this inclusion is for individuals. This program is an ongoing inspiration and an example that other organizations can look to for strategies to make their own organizations more dementia friendly. 

 

Antigonish Public Library

The Antigonish Library serves as a shining example of inclusivity for families navigating dementia, offering essential support and engaging programs. Since 2014, they've provided care partners with free meeting space, fostering connections and respite. Their Memorable Books collection, including Memory Kits, books and other materials, preserves the joy of reading for memory-impaired adults and their care partners. Launched in 2022, their Virtual Care program breaks down barriers to essential services, providing in-person support and technology access. Memory Cafe Mondays, initiated in 2024, offers a welcoming environment for brain-stimulating activities. The library's dedication to education and empathy shines through staff attendance at dementia-related sessions. Antigonish Library stands as a cherished asset in our community, enriching lives and fostering understanding.

Nominations are closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination in 2024!

*Printable nomination forms are available upon request. Please email [email protected].