About Ripples

Ripples is brought to you by Gordie Howe CARES in association with J5 Design, with advisory input from members of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. It is created by reaching out into the dementia caregiver community and collecting stories and learnings from those who have experienced the caregiving journey.

Caregiving is what you make it

Caregiving can be an amazing experience. Care is one of the ways we connect to each other. We are caregivers because of our humanity. It makes us better people. And it helps us grow. You are likely a caregiver because someone cares for and trusts you.

When we approach caregiving as a team sport, it requires us to become vulnerable with those who would offer support and receive support from us. It gives us an opportunity to understand the value of the relationships around us and gives us a sense of purpose and connection. Caregiving isn’t just what the ‘primary caregiver’ does. If you are willing to offer support, you are also a caregiver. When caregivers are properly supported, they put themselves in a better position to be a support to others on the care team as well. As the rising tides lift all boats, we must strive to take care of each other.

Man hugging parent

By the numbers

Today about 600K people in Canada are living with Alzheimer’s or related dementias. This number is expected to grow exponentially as the baby boomer generation ages. 1 in 5 Canadians have experience caring for someone living with dementia. Although the responsibilities of caring for someone living with dementia primarily fall on (adult) children and spouses, the impact of the disease is felt more broadly, as with each dementia diagnosis, 10-12 people are directly affected.

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

Gordie Howe CARES

When people hear the name Gordie Howe, they remember that tough but graceful hockey player sporting the famous number 9, affectionately known as “Mr. Hockey.” In a career spanning twenty-six NHL seasons, he accomplished more than anyone could have ever imagined. Ripples represents Gordie. His hockey legacy and his family’s story have created ripples that extend outward to people, community, and support. Ripples that aim to reduce statistics where once he fought to create them. It is Gordie Howe CARES' mission to ensure that dignity, support and education are provided to caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias so they are never alone on their journey.

LEARN MORE
Picture of the hockey player Gordie Howe

Help shape the future of caregiving

The CAN-PROTECT research study led by Dr. Zahinoor Ismail at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute is our strategic research partner. Together, we are continuing to better understand the opportunities to improve the experiences of caregivers of people living with Alzheimer's and related dementias.

Are you a caregiver over the age of 40 whose loved one has not yet received an established dementia diagnosis? By participating in this research, you will help us better understand:

  • Healthy aging
  • Risk factors that contribute to a decline in memory, thinking, and dementia
  • Health and stress in those caring for people with dementia

For more information on the study, please visit the link below.

Join the study

Our partners & sponsors

We are grateful for the support of our partners and sponsors. They play an important role in the continuous development of this tool.

  • Hotchkiss Brain Institute conducts ground-breaking research to improve brain and mental health, and increase quality of life

  • Scotiabank advances social, environmental, and economic progress by serving the needs of their customers and clients.

  • Vytality is passionate about providing exceptional home care experiences in Calgary, creating a better quality of life for clients and their care teams.

  • J5 is a design studio aimed at building a kinder more beautiful future. By creating better experiences and nudging the systems to evolve we can all live healthier lives.