Connection CONCORDIA
SUMMER 2026
COMMUNITY CARING COMPASSION COMMITMENT
concordiafoundation.ca
A publication of the Concordia Foundation serving Concordia Hospital, Concordia Place, Concordia Wellness Projects Inc. Concordia Arthroplasty
Purpose Through People
Ian Polyzois didn’t take a straight path into his career; he followed curiosity, innovation, and, above all, people.
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Why It Matters
Fueling research that turns bold ideas into better recoveries for hip and knee patients
Memory matters Because even when memory fades, dignity must never be lost. A Campaign for Dementia Care, Education, and Compassion
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Caregivers are struggling to support loved ones with dementia We are bringing world-class training from Teepa Snow to our community.
Who is Teepa Snow?
Teepa Snow is a globally recognized leader in dementia care education, with more than 40 years of clinical and teaching experience. As an American occupational therapist, she has trained thousands of healthcare providers and family caregivers around the world, transforming how dementia is understood and supported. Educated at Duke University and the University of North Carolina, Teepa has worked across neuro-rehabilitation, geriatrics, long-term care, and academic medicine. Today, she is widely regarded as one of the most influential educators in dementia care internationally.
Her Approach
Positive Approach to Care® (PAC). Teepa founded Positive Approach to Care® in 2007— an internationally adopted training model that helps caregivers respond to dementia with skill and compassion.
When leadership at Concordia Hospital presented this program to the Concordia Classic Golf Committee, the committee unanimously adopted it as the focus of this year’s tournament in less than an hour. Co-Chair Ernie Goetz, a Concordia Foundation Board member, was on hand for a hands-on demonstration that brought the impact to life. Our goal is to purchase two of these innovative units while also supporting holistic dementia care programs at Concordia Hospital and Concordia Place.
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t Concordia, we see it every day. A patient who no longer recognizes their surroundings. A spouse trying to comfort someone who no longer remembers their name. A family overwhelmed—navigating fear, confusion, and loss. Dementia does not just affect memory—it affects dignity, connection, and the ability to feel safe in the world.
• Provide appropriate, supportive care
A Practical, Hands-On Teaching Style
• Nine Manitobans are diagnosed every day • Nearly half of Manitobans have been personally impacted by dementia
The Challenge
Hospital environments can be overwhelming for patients living with dementia:
At its core is a powerful idea: what may appear as “challenging behaviour” is often a person communicating an unmet need.
• Adjust expectations
• That number is expected to double within a generation
The need for specialized, compassionate care has never been greater.
• Reducing distress and responsive behaviours
One of Teepa’s most widely used tools, the GEMS® Model, compares stages of dementia to gemstones—such as Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Amber, Ruby, and Pearl. This strengths-based framework helps caregivers: • Understand changing brain function
Dementia is no longer a future issue—it is here, now, in our community. • Over 20,000 Manitobans are currently living with dementia
(Source: Alzheimer Society of Manitoba)
• Adapting communication and environment
The GEMS® Model
A Growing Crisis in Manitoba
• The cost to our healthcare system is approaching $1 billion annually
Her approach focuses on: • Recognizing remaining abilities rather than losses
• Bright lights, noise, and unfamiliar settings increase anxiety • Communication barriers lead to frustration and distress • Families often feel unsupported and unsure how to help Without targeted tools and training, even the most dedicated care teams face real limitations. We can—and will—do better.
Teepa Snow is known for her highly engaging and experiential training methods. She often demonstrates dementia-related behaviours herself, helping caregivers better understand what individuals are experiencing. Her teaching emphasizes: • Entering the person’s reality rather than correcting it • Using effective non-verbal communication • Reducing confrontation while building trust and connection Continued on page 12 ➞