Redefining Dementia Care: Innovations and Insights from the Dementia Care Conference

13 Jun 2024

Dr Irene Hartigan was an invited speaker at The Dementia Care Conference in Haliburton

On June 3rd, Dr Irene Hartigan was an invited speaker at The Dementia Care Conference in Haliburton, oganized in collaboration with McMaster University. Professor Sharon Kaasalainen, leading the Ageing Together Community, orchestrated an impressive lineup of international speakers who are redefining dementia care with innovative approaches to enhance the lives of those living with the disease and their families. Dr Hartigan was also featured in the local newspaper and radio 100.9 Canoe FM. Dr Hartigan spoke about the Namaste Care Programme and emphasized optimizing multi-sensory benefits through activities that are closely tied to the biographical narratives of individuals with dementia. Dr Hartigan also showcased significant findings from the mySupport Study, illustrating its integration into a new five-year European Commission-funded project called In Touch Trial. Dr Hartigan was not alone in recognizing the impeccable advocacy of Helen Rochford Brennan for people with dementia in Ireland and across Europe through her role in Alzheimer’s Europe.

Other Speakers included:

Professor Anthea Innes: As the Director of the Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging and Chair of Aging and Mental Health at McMaster University, Professor Innes promoted the concept of Dementia-Friendly Rural Communities and also shared the lived experience of Helen Rochford Brennan in rural Ireland.

Dr Judith Meijer, Maastricht University, provided insights into Green Care Farms in the Netherlands, highlighting their therapeutic benefits.

Dr Sandy Shamon, Palliative Care Physician at the University of Toronto and McMaster University, discussed breaking down barriers to care in Aging & Dementia.

Dr Karen Tompson, Trent University's School of Environment, spoke about the importance of experiential learning and how grounding in soil fosters lifelong connections to the earth.

Dr Elisabeth Trent,  Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Trent University, presented on the Rural Aging Research Program, aimed at understanding and improving how rural communities respond to an aging population.

The conference was a beacon of innovation, challenging traditional norms in dementia care. It commenced with inspiring words from a person with dementia and their caregiver, setting a compassionate and inclusive tone for the event with over 200 attendees. By bringing together leading minds and passionate advocates, the conference highlighted the importance of community, innovation, and empathy in advancing dementia care.