Driving Improvements in Dementia Care

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia affect more than 55 million people worldwide, a number that continues to rise. On World Alzheimer’s Day (September 21), and every day, we’re committed to raising awareness, breaking down stigma, and driving meaningful change.

To support this mission, we’ve partnered with the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia to launch the Promising Practices Hub, a digital platform where healthcare professionals can connect, share resources, and collaborate on best practices to enhance dementia care. These efforts reflect our shared commitment to education, advocacy, and support for individuals and families impacted by dementia.

Below, we speak with Courtney Richardson, Manager – Behavioural Health at Shannex, whose passion for dementia care highlights the vital role of community, knowledge, and empathy in improving quality of life.

What inspired you to get involved in Alzheimer’s advocacy?

Since graduating from Nursing School in 2009, I have worked in mental health in some capacity.  In 2018 I worked at Harbourstone Enhanced Care as an Occupational Health Nurse (OHN). While working in mental health I was a strong advocate in the importance of decreasing the stigma around mental illness and maintaining dignity throughout the life span for people living with poor mental health.

Once starting at Shannex I noticed the need for similar advocacy for people living with dementia and it was an easy transition of my focus.  Being safety-focused in my role as an OHN, I watched the upward trend of staff injuries related to responsive behaviours among our residents.  Strongly advocating for a better approach to behavioural concerns to ensure staff and resident safety became an important focus topic for me.

Can you share any personal connection or story related to Alzheimer’s? 

I do not have any close personal ties to people who have lived through dementia, however, I have watched loved ones close to me supporting people living with Alzheimer’s and seeing their struggles firsthand. Helping not only the people living with Alzheimer’s but also the caregivers is imperative which makes growing the awareness in the community even more important.

What are the most pressing challenges facing Alzheimer’s research today?

Further research into the cause and possible risk factors needs to continuously be explored. In my role, I feel there needs to be a better understanding of the behavioural changes associated with dementia and a higher focus on how to approach those behaviours at all levels of care. The importance of dignity and maintaining choice and risk throughout the lifespan needs to be a bigger focus on how we care for people living with the disease. An infinite number of topics continue to be explored, and all are important, which makes recognizing Alzheimer’s Awareness Month important to ensure we stay focused on advocacy within our communities.