Saskia Sivananthan, PhD, is Chief Science and Knowledge Translation Officer at the Alzheimer Society of Canada, where she oversees the Alzheimer Society Research Program.  She is a neuroscientist and health data scientist focusing on dementia care. In 2020, the Federal Minister of Health (Canada) appointed her to the Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia. She also served as a senior strategy and policy advisor on the global dementia strategy for the World Health Organization (WHO) and co-drafted their Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia.

Ms. Sivananthan will discuss highlights from Canada’s National Dementia Strategy and Navigating the Path Forward for Dementia in Canada: The Landmark Study Report #1, which addresses the current direction of dementia in Canada and its impact on people living with dementia and their care partners.

Original air date: January 11, 2023

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McGill Cares is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.

McGill Cares is an initiative of the McGill Dementia Education Program, which is funded by private donations. To contribute or for more information about our program, please visit http://www.mcgill.ca/dementia.  This page also contains a link to trusted resources specific to dementia.

If you have any topics or questions that you would like us to address during our weekly webcasts, please email us at [email protected].

Nutrition and Dementia

Guylaine Ferland, PhD, is a professor of nutrition at Université de Montréal and a scientist at the Research Centre of the Montreal Heart Institute. Dr. Ferland conducts research on the general role of nutrition in cognitive health during aging. She is an expert in vitamin K metabolism and her team has made significant contributions to understanding the role of this nutrient in brain function and cognition.

She will speak about nutrition and dementia, including how to ensure proper nutrition for people living with dementia, and what we know about the benefits of doing so.

Air date: December 14, 2022

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McGill Cares is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.

McGill Cares is an initiative of the McGill Dementia Education Program, which is funded by private donations. To contribute or for more information about our program, please visit http://www.mcgill.ca/dementia.  This page also contains a link to trusted resources specific to dementia.

If you have any topics or questions that you would like us to address during our weekly webcasts, please email us at [email protected].

Robert W. Francis, MDCM, graduated from the McGill Faculty of Medicine in 1968.  He is founder and former Chairman Emeritus of Medcan Health Management Inc. and most recently the founder and CEO of ReGen Scientific Inc., both of which are medical services clinics focused on preventative medicine.

While caring for his wife, Sharon, who passed away from Alzheimer’s disease in 2019, he searched relentlessly around the world for a cure.  He has since set up the Sharon Francis Institute for Regenerative Medicine in her memory.

Dr. Francis will talk about his experience caring for his wife, and how her life with Alzheimer’s drives his mission to find a cure and improve the lives of those now living with the disease.

Air date: November 30, 2022.

McGill Cares is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.

McGill Cares is an initiative of the McGill Dementia Education Program, which is funded by private donations. To contribute or for more information about our program, please visit http://www.mcgill.ca/dementia.  This page also contains a link to trusted resources specific to dementia.

If you have any topics or questions that you would like us to address during our weekly webcasts, please email us at [email protected].

Bassam Khoury, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology at McGill University. He is a clinical psychologist specializing in mindfulness-based treatments. He and his team at the McGill Mindfulness Research Lab conduct research on advancing the theory, research, and applications of mindfulness and compassion.

Prof. Khoury will speak about mindfulness and compassion, and how those practices can help reduce stress and anxiety for caregivers.

Air date: November 16, 2022

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McGill Cares is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.

McGill Cares is an initiative of the McGill Dementia Education Program, which is funded by private donations. To contribute or for more information about our program, please visit http://www.mcgill.ca/dementia.  This page also contains a link to trusted resources specific to dementia.

If you have any topics or questions that you would like us to address during our weekly webcasts, please email us at [email protected].

Michael Wiseman, DDS, is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Dentistry at McGill University who has published peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on geriatric dentistry. He has a private practice in Côte Saint-Luc and is on staff at several Montreal hospitals, including Mount Sinai, St. Mary’s and Ste. Anne’s.

Dr. Wiseman will speak about the importance of maintaining oral health throughout life, including for those living with dementia and other terminal diseases.

Original Air Date: November 2, 2022

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McGill Cares is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.

McGill Cares is an initiative of the McGill Dementia Education Program, which is funded by private donations. To contribute or for more information about our program, please visit http://www.mcgill.ca/dementia.  This page also contains a link to trusted resources specific to dementia.

If you have any topics or questions that you would like us to address during our weekly webcasts, please email us at [email protected].

Joanne Besner, BSW, MBA, PPCC, and caregiver, received her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Business Administration from McGill University, and a Professional Coaching designation from the John Molson Executive Centre at Concordia University. Ms. Besner coaches and facilitates workshops for health care professionals and community organizations, including the McGill University School of Social Work, where she is also an internship liaison supervisor. Her 35-year career in Quebec community health care spans many roles including frontline social work, clinical supervisor, manager, researcher and trainer.

Ms. Besner will talk about conflicts that can occur between caregivers and family members when looking after a person living with dementia or other illnesses.  She will provide strategies to resolve conflicts in a healthy way.

Original air date: October 19, 2022.

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McGill Cares is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.

McGill Cares is an initiative of the McGill Dementia Education Program, which is funded by private donations. To contribute or for more information about our program, please visit http://www.mcgill.ca/dementia.  This page also contains a link to trusted resources specific to dementia.

If you have any topics or questions that you would like us to address during our weekly webcasts, please email us at [email protected].

Zelda Freitas, MSW, is a graduate of the McGill University School of Social Work with 30 years of experience in the delivery of services to older adults, their caregivers and their families. She is currently Clinical Advisor, Professional Practice at the CIUSSS West-Central Montreal. Previously, Ms. Freitas was the Coordinator of Developing Practices in Support of Caregivers at the Center for Research and Expertise in Social Gerontology of the CIUSSS West-Central Montreal and a clinical supervisor for the Elder Mistreatment Helpline.

Ms. Freitas is also a caregiver to her mother and father who both require around-the-clock monitoring and care. She will talk about her dual roles as an unpaid caregiver to her parents and as a professional social worker.

Original air date: October 5, 2022.

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McGill Cares is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.

McGill Cares is an initiative of the McGill Dementia Education Program, which is funded by private donations. To contribute or for more information about our program, please visit http://www.mcgill.ca/dementia.  This page also contains a link to trusted resources specific to dementia.

If you have any topics or questions that you would like us to address during our weekly webcasts, please email us at [email protected].

Dale Goldhawk is a media specialist who has worked in print, radio and television for almost five decades.  He was named Chair of Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) in 2021 after acting as Vice Chair for six years and serving as a Board member since 2006. He is past President of the Alzheimer Society of Canada and was awarded both the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his work with charities.

Mr. Goldhawk talks about his career as a journalist and reveals what led him to become a passionate advocate in the field of dementia.

Original air date: September 21, 2022.

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McGill Cares is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.

McGill Cares is an initiative of the McGill Dementia Education Program, which is funded by private donations. To contribute or for more information about our program, please visit http://www.mcgill.ca/dementia.  This page also contains a link to trusted resources specific to dementia.

If you have any topics or questions that you would like us to address during our weekly webcasts, please email us at [email protected].

Serge Gauthier, MD, est un neurologue clinicien spécialisé dans le développement de nouveaux outils de diagnostic et de traitement pour les personnes souffrant de la maladie d’Alzheimer.  Il est coresponsable universitaire du programme de formation sur la démence et professeur émérite en neurologie et psychiatrie à l’Université McGill. Le Dr Gauthier a été directeur du Centre de recherche et d’études sur le vieillissement de l'Université McGill de 1986 à 1997.  Ses travaux lui ont valu d’être décoré de l’Ordre national du Québec en 2017 et de l’Ordre national du Canada en 2014.

Le Dr Gauthier décrira les stades de la démence et de la maladie d'Alzheimer, et expliquera pourquoi ils sont importants.

Date de diffusion originale: le 7 septembre 2022

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McGill à vos côtés est parrainé par le programme Engagement communautaire Amelia Saputo pour les soins de la démence.

McGill à vos côtés est une initiative du programme de formation sur la démence de McGill, qui est financé par des dons privés.  Pour contribuer ou pour en savoir plus sur notre programme, rendez-vous au www.mcgill.ca/demence. Cette page contient également un lien vers des ressources fiables spécifiques à la démence.

Si vous souhaitez nous voir aborder des sujets et des questions spécifiques durant nos webémissions, écrivez-nous à [email protected].

Serge Gauthier, MD, is a clinical neurologist specializing in the development of new tools for diagnosis and treatments for people living with Alzheimer’s disease. He is the Academic Co-Lead for the Dementia Education Program and Professor Emeritus, Neurology and Psychiatry at McGill University. Dr. Gauthier was the Director of the McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging from 1986 to 1997. His accomplishments led to him being appointed to the Order of Canada in 2014 and the National Order of Québec in 2017.

Dr. Gauthier will describe the stages of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and explain why they are important.

This webcast is also available in French.

Original air date: September 7, 2022

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McGill Cares is supported by the Amelia Saputo Community Outreach for Dementia Care.

McGill Cares is an initiative of the McGill Dementia Education Program, which is funded by private donations. To contribute or for more information about our program, please visit http://www.mcgill.ca/dementia.  This page also contains a link to trusted resources specific to dementia.

If you have any topics or questions that you would like us to address during our biweekly webcasts, please email us at [email protected].