Meet Sarah

So, how did I get here?

Since 2013, I have been deeply involved in caring for my parents, a journey that has been both challenging and rewarding. It all began with my mother, who faced the hardships of cardiovascular disease, ultimately leading to her becoming a double-leg amputee. To keep track of her care, I created a ‘black book’ where I noted all appointments, hospitalizations, medications, physicians, home modifications, wound-care nurses, mobility aids, home care support services and palliative support that we encountered along the way.

Losing a loved one is devastating and, yet, part of life!

When my mother passed away in 2015, I was heartbroken! Almost immediately after, my father was diagnosed with cancer and dementia, a situation that left me feeling completely overwhelmed. As I said goodbye to one parent, I needed to step up for the other, who required my support now more than ever. This marked the beginning of another ‘black book’ filled with countless appointments at the cancer clinic, infusions, hospital stays, and the many layers of care, including home nursing and personal support.

Getting the cancer under control.

Throughout this challenging period, I navigated countless medical assessments and therapies for my father, including x-rays, MRIs, and meetings with various specialists such as a geriatrician, a respirologist, a cardiologist, a speech-language pathologist, occupational and physical therapists, and dermatologists and researching long-term care residences (CCAC, LHIN, now Ontario Health at Home).

The dementia progressed throughout the pandemic.

After the pandemic, when I returned to the office, I noticed significant changes in my father’s personality. It was heartbreaking to be on the receiving end of yelling matches and accusations, and it pained me to be called a liar. I had to sell his car when he could no longer drive. Understanding that he needed more support, I decided to add home-care assistance and then transition him to assisted living, hoping to provide him with more care. We still spend good and bad days together - it continues to help me work through my grief.

Caregiving is a full-time job! There is little to no time for “me.”

I've been fortunate to have had a fulfilling 25 year + media career in sales and marketing senior management roles, working across private, public, and non-profit sectors. In many ways, it has prepared me well for my career pivot. I was compelled to make a change so that I could continue to support my father living with dementia, and share my knowledge with others who may find themselves on this unexpected journey.

I see you, and I am advocating for you!

Dementia is outside of healthcare - you are essentially on your own to figure out what supports you need to seek and put in place. It has a profound impact on families who are the ‘sandwich generation’ - some adult children might need to either quit or take a leave of absence from their jobs to become full-time care partners for a person living with dementia! This is a costly disease that wreaks havoc on your finances!

This is what I have learned.

This journey has strengthened my commitment to educating professionals and family care partners, providing them with the necessary tools and resources for supporting individuals with cognitive decline. The focus is on recognizing what the individuals with dementia still have left rather than what they have lost.

Dementia is an umbrella term - my father has Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA/FTD) dementia, which means he is losing his ability to speak, read, and write and comprehend. That’s in the left lobe (aka the temporal lobe). I cherish the time we spend together, whether its taking walks to the lake, sipping lattes at Tim Hortons, or enjoying road trips (aka chores) with some great tunes. Even though he doesn't remember my name, I am happy to be his BFF!

Balancing the caregiving part is so vital to my brain health and well-being.

I love being out on the water in my kayak - it's one of my favourite places to be. I also enjoy practicing Pilates (it's not as easy as it looks!), Foundation Training, and reading fiction and non-fiction. My friendships are vital to me, and they span across generations - I have friends ranging from ages 20 to 100. I learn so much from them and draw energy from their wisdom and joie de vivre.

I can offer support to you.

I’d love to help you on your dementia journey!

Certification & Associations

• A PAC-certified Dementia care trainer from the Snow Approach™ program; and an Eldercare advocate

• A member of Rare Dementia Support Canada

• A member of the Ontario Caregiver Coalition, which champions the caregiving community.