Join us for a powerful virtual event in celebration of National Awareness Caregiver Month.
The Call to Mind podcast team based in the School of Nursing at the University of Victoria, invites caregivers, individuals living with dementia, healthcare professionals, and community members from across BC to explore the power of storytelling in dementia care in this free online gathering, May 26 from 7 to 8:30.
This special event highlights a research project and the second season of Call to Mind: Audio Diaries of Love and Memory Loss, the award-winning podcast centered around the use of intimate audio diaries recorded by family caregivers—capturing the challenges, emotional realities, support-system gaps, and resilience of those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
HOST and MODERATOR
Mariko Sakamoto | Call to Mind Podcast host, Assistant Professor with UVic’s School of Nursing, and researcher with the Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health, UVic
SPEAKERS
Dan Levitt | BC Seniors Advocate
Barb MacLean | Executive Director, Family Caregivers of BC
Cari Randa-Beaulieu | Provincial Coordinator of Knowledge Mobilization, Alzheimer Society of BC
Ashley Sharma | Family caregiver and Season Two storyteller, Becoming a Granddaughter Again
Lana-Michele Armstrong | Family caregiver and Season Two storyteller, It Takes a Village
You’ll also listen to compelling podcast excerpts and learn how the act of recording and sharing stories about dementia and caregiving can reduce stigma, build a stronger caregiving community, and be used to advocate for change.
Mariko will present some early findings from the podcast study, offering insight into how storytelling can foster well-being and connection for caregivers. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists, and receive resources to help you begin recording your own audio diaries or support someone else in doing so.
Whether you’re a caregiver, healthcare provider, or simply interested in building empathy and understanding, this event offers inspiration, reflection, and practical tools for sharing and preserving the dementia caregiving journey.
Register on Eventbrite to receive an event reminder. And after the event, you’ll receive an invitation to connect along with a resource package.
Or, simply tune in to YouTube below to watch live!