This project will provide facilitated education sessions to equip family and friend caregivers with knowledge, tools, and resources to maintain functional abilities, create meaningful daily moments, and improve quality of life for persons living with dementia. By empowering caregivers, the project also aims to reduce and prevent burnout, enhance caregiver well-being, and strengthen overall care.
Key information
Project Lead: University of Northern BC & Northern Health Authority
Project partners: Ontario Health – North West, Member of the Metis Nation of BC, Indigenous & Women’s Health of Northern BC, DementiAbility Enterprises Inc., Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society, Relational Resident and Family Council at Northern Health, Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia, Northern FIRE, University of British Columbia, Prince George Council of Seniors, Save Our Northern Seniors (SONS), Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North (CTAAN), University of Waterloo, Quesnel School District #28, Interior Health, United Way British Columbia, City of Prince George
Project status: ongoing, 2025-2029
Project location: Prince George, British Columbia
Project team members:
- Dr. Shannon Freeman, Chair
- Tracee Dunn, Co-Chair
Get in touch:
Shannon.freeman@unbc.ca
Project story
Background:
The need for the project was identified in the sparsity of resources in remote and rural communities.
Key Takeaways:
As a small team, we have learned a lot about how quickly it is possible to mobilize a diverse group of people when there is a shared challenge and a need to solve for.
Current project activities:
Phase 1: Hiring staff and creating a Steering Committee. Virtual Committee Meetings/ Action Team Meetings. Project Branding. Adapting and customizing educational resources to meet the diverse needs of rural and northern communities.