Gordie Howe CARES 2023 Impact Report

Caregiver

A Caregiver is a family member, neighbour, or friend who provides ongoing dementia care to their loved one.1 As awareness of informal caregiving has increased, the term ‘ Care Partner ’ is becoming more common. In this report, we use Caregiver and Care Partner interchangeably.

1. Alzheimer Society of Canada. The Landmark Study: Path, 2022

Letter from the Caregivers

As Care Partners to our loved ones living with dementia, we provide care, support, and assistance to those who can no longer care for themselves. We often put their needs before our own while we juggle caregiving with full-time jobs or provide full-time care to loved ones with complex medical conditions. Our routine demands physical exertion and emotional resilience. We are the first to rise and the last to rest. We make sure that medication is taken on time, that meals are prepared according to strict dietary needs, and that every doctor’s appointment is planned and attended.

The emotional burden of caregiving can be overwhelming. The constant need for diligence can take a toll on our health. Sleepless nights are a norm, fueled by anxiety and the itch to be constantly present.

We navigate the complexities of medical jargon, insurance forms, and the ever-present fear of emergencies. Our lives are marked by moments of tender connection and painful recognition of the unrelenting progression of disease or age. This emotional rollercoaster, filled with joy and pain, is a reality we face every day.

Despite the hardships, being a caregiver also brings moments of joy and deep connection. There is a beauty in the quiet mornings spent together, the stories shared over a cup of tea, and the laughter that breaks through the more challenging days. These moments remind us why we do what we do.

For those unfamiliar with caregiving, it is important to understand that this role becomes part of our reality. It reshapes our lives, our careers, and our futures.

We make substantial sacrifices, stepping back from career opportunities, reducing our social engagements, straining the relationship with family members, and often neglecting our own needs.

Our hope is that more people will recognize the critical role that millions undertake, often behind closed doors. We want more support to help Caregivers navigate the challenges we face in this journey. It’s a role that doesn’t ease—it’s both a privilege and a profound responsibility.

With sincere thanks for being part of our caring community,

The Voices of Caregivers

Mission

To ensure dignity, support, and education are provided to Caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia-related diseases so they are never alone on their journey.

Where We Play

Caregivers provide invaluable support and care to their loved ones living with dementia. Despite this, there is a lack of dementia caregiver support services, and Care Partners are left overwhelmed and distressed. Many of these Caregivers are in their prime employment years, leading to significant loss of productivity and increased future healthcare costs. With access to proper support and resources, Care Partners and their loved ones can enjoy a better quality of life. We are focused on positively impacting Caregivers through efforts in three strategic areas: Research, Education, and Support.

RESEARCH

We fund leading research on the personal, environmental, and lifestyle factors that provide protection against dementia and inform dementia caregiving needs and supports.

EDUCATION SUPPORT

We provide employers with resources that can help them support their employees who are providing dementia caregiving to a loved one. Caregivers gain knowledge to better understand what it means to be a Care Partner and how to receive the support they need.

We provide specialized support and guidance that addresses the unique challenges of Caregivers, with a focus on resilience, wellbeing, and community.

Board of Directors

CAREGIVING IS A TEAM SPORT

I want to express our sincere thanks to our donors, sponsors, and partners. This report offers a snapshot of our achievements last year and sets the stage for exciting initiatives that are coming in 2024 and beyond.

The Board of Directors is made up of individuals with lived experience in dementia caregiving. We operate as a working board and are able to reduce our operating costs so that we can invest as much as possible in caregiving research, education, and support.

Like in hockey, where each player contributes to the team’s success, each of you have played a crucial role in our organization’s journey. We want to recognize you as essential members of our team, united in our commitment to make a difference in the lives of Caregivers.

On behalf of the Howe family and our board of directors, thank you for helping us achieve all our goals on and off the ice.

JAY HARALSON , BOARD CHAIR

Top row: Jay Haralson, Nicole Dyer

Bottom row: Shannon Burch, Brad Lohman, John Vardalos, Morgan Tingle, and Jesse Martin

Not photographed: Alana Riley

A Life of Legacy

When people hear the name Gordie Howe, they remember a tough but graceful hockey player sporting the famous number 9, affectionately known as “Mr. Hockey.” In a career spanning 26 NHL seasons, he accomplished more than anyone could have ever imagined. Today, a different legacy exists, where the goal is to reduce statistics instead of creating them.

Gordie Howe CARES is a charitable organization founded in 2014. We are committed to the needs of the all Caregivers and aim to address a critical gap in existing public and non-profit dementia caregiving services in Alberta.

Why Caregiving?

Today, more than 52,000 people in Alberta are living with dementia, a prevalence that’s expected to rise 286% to 200,900 by 2050.1

Although the responsibilities of caring for someone living with dementia tend to fall on adult children and spouses, the impact of the disease is felt more broadly: with each diagnosis, 10-12 people are directly affected.2

“I started counting who was impacted by my dad’s dementia—me, my wife, my kids, my brother, his five kids, my sister. It’s an emotional roller coaster for the whole family.” Dean Freeman

Over the next 25 years, Alberta can expect a 290% increase in the number of Care Partners for people living with dementia.1

Today, Caregivers provide an average of 26 hours of unpaid care to their

loved ones with dementia.1 While this time commitment is significant, it does not capture other challenges that accompany this experience.

Most Caregivers are adult children in the middle stages of their lives, and many are women. Caregivers will step away from their jobs, lose out on career transitions, and miss out on time with their children and spouses to care for the person living with dementia. Their dimished workforce participation has impacts on their personal finances, pension earnings, and overall financial planning. Caregiving stress and burnout is unfortunately very common.1

“I thought a lot of my friends were going through the same thing. Trying to be a mom, as well as a caretaker, as well as work, as well as, as well as, as well as... You’re just expected to do it.”

Carolee

1. Alzheimer Society of Canada. The Landmark Study: Path, 2022

2. Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary, Report to the Community, 2015

Israel Turner

By

2050,

118,200 Albertans

will be a Care Partner for a person living with dementia.1

Caregiving at a Glance

DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS IN CANADA BY AGE GROUP 1 AREAS OF CARE SUPPORTED BY CARE PARTNERS 1

Assistance with everyday activities (e.g., household chores, meals, and personal hygiene).

Support for medical care (e.g., arranging, coordinating and attending appointments; dispensing medications).

Supporting changes in mood, personality, and behaviour that can occur for some people living with dementia.

Providing psychological support, companionship, and advocacy in general.

83,700 fewer Care Partners in Alberta by 2050 if the onset of dementia could be delayed by 10 years.1

Research

We fund leading research on the personal, environmental, and lifestyle factors that provide protection against dementia and inform dementia caregiving needs and supports.

Delaying the onset of dementia can have a significant impact on the number of new cases of dementia across Canada1.

Fewer dementia cases means fewer dementia care partners.

IMPACT OF DELAYING DEMENTIA ONSET ON THE PROJECTED NUMBER OF CARE PARTNERS IN CANADA1

CARE PARTNERS (#)

1. Alzheimer Society of Canada. The Landmark Study: Path, 2022

CAN-PROTECT

WITH DR. ZAHINOOR ISMAIL

Our brains age as we get older, which leads to a decline in cognitive processes like memory and reasoning. Yet, we do not fully understand how or why these changes occur and why these processes affect people differently. Dr. Zahinoor Ismail had a hunch that there was a lot to understand when it comes to the personal, environmental, and lifestyle factors that provide protection against dementia.

In 2023, Gordie Howe CARES co-funded CAN-PROTECT, a 25-year study that will help understand how

lifestyle and outside factors affect our health as we get older and the way our brain ages. In its first year, data from CAN-PROTECT has been used to uncover a relationship between adverse childhood experiences and dementia risk factors, 3 as well as a relationship between menopause symptoms and cognitive and behavioural changes.4

As the study moves into its second year, Dr. Ismail and his research team will be focused on recruiting more Caregivers and Care Partners to the study.

“It’s extraordinarily hard to get funding for an idea from traditional academic funding agencies. It’s thanks to the kindness and generosity of donors and the service and commitment of Gordie Howe CARES that CAN-PROTECT exists.”

DR. ZAHINOOR ISMAIL, HOTCHKISS BRAIN INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

3. J5 Interview with Dr. Zahinoor Ismail, 2024

4. Jasper F.E. Crockford, Dylan X. Guan, Gillian Einstein, Clive Ballard, Bryon Creese, Anne Corbett, Ellie Pickering, Adam Bloomfield, Pamela Roach, Eric E. Smith, Zahinoor Ismail. Menopausal Symptom Burden, 2024

2023 IMPACT REPORT

Looking Ahead

We have much more to learn about how race, gender, cultural background, socio-economic status, and other characteristics intersect and impact the experience and health outcomes of people living with dementia and their Care Partners.1 In 2024, we will be working with our community partners to better understand the diversity in Calgary and how to ensure our support is both culturally safe and appropriate.

“Although the diagnosis is the same, dementia and how you cope as a Caregiver looks very different depending on your culture. If support can be culturally responsive, it can help a lot of people who are going through a similar experience.”

1. Alzheimer Society of Canada. The Landmark Study: Path, 2022

CAROLEE ISRAEL TURNER, CENTRE FOR NEWCOMERS

235,000

The number of hours spent on informal caregiving equals 235,000 unpaid full-time jobs.1

Education

We provide employers with resources that can help them support their employees who are providing dementia caregiving to a loved one. Caregivers gain knowledge to better understand what it means to be a Care Partner and how to receive the support they need.

Ripples of Care

In 2023, Gordie Howe CARES created Ripples of Care, an online tool for Care Partners. The tool was designed, developed, and tested with hundreds of Caregivers. Users can start by taking a quiz that helps them identify what role they play as a Care Partner. Based on their responses, they will be identified as one of seven Care Partner types. Each Care Partner type can access videos, articles, and resources to help them in their caregiving journey.

Ripples of Care provides Caregivers with:

• Insights about the Caregiver role that an individual and their care team play.

• Stories from Caregivers who have gone through the journey.

• Guidance from professional experts such as doctors, social workers, and estate planners.

• Practical tools to help the care team with difficult questions or how to take action.

• The ability to book a chat with an experienced coach who can offer personalized advice based on the situation.

Now in its second year, we will improve our content based on what we learn through engagement with Care Partners, their families, and their loved ones living with dementia. We will also implement additional metrics and analytics to better understand the impact of the tool.

Gordie Howe CARES would like to thank Evans Hunt for their support with the development of the Ripples of Care platform.

5,800 users in its first year.

52.7% engagement rate in its first year.

Looking Ahead

The impact of caregiving on employment and work productivity is considerable. Employers have an opportunity to address these challenges by empowering their employees with access to education, resources, and a community.

In 2024, Gordie Howe CARES will increase its engagement with workplaces so that they can access the tools and resources their employees need to manage caregiving.

“It’s hard to create that mental space when you are at work and just forget about what you are supposed to be doing as a Caregiver.”

AASHIMA RATTAN, CAREGIVER

Caregiver in the Workplace

WITH DEAN FREEMAN

Dean Freeman’s experience as a Caregiver began when his dad started showing signs of dementia shortly after his mom passed away.

“It was tough because I was in Edmonton and my dad was in Regina. My brother and sister were the primary Caregivers— taking time off work to help my dad, to take him to medical appointments, and managing his cognitive decline. I would fly to Regina every other weekend to visit and support my brother and sister, but I still felt like I wasn’t doing my share.”

Dean Freeman

This experience has helped Dean recognize signs of Caregiver stress in his colleagues and clients. Thanks to the sponsorship between Gordie Howe CARES and Scotia Wealth Management, they will have access to caregiving resources, education, and a community to help empower themselves and those around them.

“There’s a lot going on when you’re a Caregiver. I like that the workplace can provide support to Caregivers who are dedicating a significant amount of time caring for loved ones.”

DEAN FREEMAN, SCOTIA WEALTH MANAGEMENT

10-12

For each person diagnosed with dementia, 10-12 other individuals are directly impacted. 2

2. Alzheimer’s Society of Calgary, Report to the Community, 2015

Support

We provide personalized support and guidance that addresses the unique challenges of Caregivers, with a focus on resilience, wellbeing, and community.

Gordie Howe CARES is excited to fund a new support service that will provide personalized services for Care Partners and their families. This pilot will be person- and family-centred, providing services such as medical support, counselling, financial planning, and more through a single program.

“Our innovative Caregiver Support Program will bring strategies, knowledge, and resources to the Caregiver, rather than having them navigate fragmented services. This approach significantly reduces caregiver burden and enhances the quality of life for Caregivers and their loved ones with dementia.”

BRAD LOHMAN, BOARD MEMBER AT GORDIE HOWE CARES

Our Goals

THE PAST YEAR

In 2023, our funding supported our Research and Education initiatives, CAN-PROTECT and Ripples of Care.

75% RESEARCH 25% EDUCATION

THE COMING YEAR

In 2024, we will expand our funding to focus on workplace engagement and designing and delivering a personalized support program for Caregivers and their families.

How You Can Help the Team

Your kindness helps Caregivers live healthier and fuller lives today, while preparing our community for tomorrow when thousands more step into this role.

Caregiving is a team sport, and you can help.

PARTICIPATE IN CAN-PROTECT

Sign up for the CAN-PROTECT Study and ask others to do the same.

can-protect.ca

JOIN THE CAREGIVER SUPPORT PROGRAM

Get in touch with Gordie Howe CARES about how to join the Caregiver Support Program.

info@gordiehowecares.com

SHARE RIPPLES OF CARE

Share Ripples of Care with someone who is providing caregiving to a loved one with dementia.

ripplesofcare.com

BOOK A SPEAKER

Get in touch with Gordie Howe CARES to speak at your corporate events.

info@gordiehowecares.com

Thank You

KEY SPONSOR

Scotia Wealth Management has teamed up with Gordie Howe CARES to support their clients and the caregiver community while raising awareness of the importance of dementia research, education, and care.

With innovations in health and wellbeing, the Canadian population continues to live longer. But, as the population ages, many are not living in good health. In Canada, one quarter of seniors over the age of 85 will have

some form of dementia. Scotia Wealth Management’s sponsorship of Gordie Howe CARES will enable further research, education, and support to caregivers who are dedicating their time caring for loved ones. The sponsorship also aims to broaden awareness of national caregiving needs in the face of living longer.

scotiawealthmanagement.com

PARTNERS

Our immense gratitude also goes out to partners: Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Vytality at Home, and J5 Design.

CAREGIVERS

A special thank you to all Caregivers for stepping up to share your incredible stories, for giving us your time, and for doing what you do.