Our Support and Programs
Our Cultural Communities team provides culturally responsive dementia information, support and programming for people living with dementia, care partners and families. We recognize that language, culture, family relationships and community experiences can shape how people understand dementia, seek support and navigate care. Our services are adapted to reflect the needs, values and experiences of the communities we serve.
One-to-One Support
Our team provides personalized support in each individual’s preferred language and with an understanding of their cultural context. Support is currently available in English, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Cantonese, Mandarin, Tagalog, Bisaya, Gujarati and Kacchi.
Team members can help individuals and families better understand dementia, explore available services, navigate health and community care systems, and identify resources that meet their needs. Information is shared in a clear, respectful and culturally sensitive way, allowing individuals and families to ask questions and make informed decisions at their own pace.
First Link Connection Sessions
Our First Link Connection sessions are offered in multiple languages and provide practical information for people living with dementia, care partners and family members. Sessions introduce participants to dementia, available supports, planning considerations and strategies for navigating changes throughout the dementia journey.
Content is adapted for each community and delivered in a way that is accessible, relevant and culturally meaningful. Participants can learn in their preferred language, ask questions and connect with staff who understand the cultural and family contexts that may influence their experiences.
For individuals or families who have privacy concerns or do not feel comfortable participating in a group setting, First Link® Connection sessions can also be offered privately to a family. This allows families to receive the same information and support in a more personalized and confidential environment.
Culturally Centred Support Groups
Our culturally centred support groups bring together people who may share a language, culture or community experience. They provide a welcoming and confidential space for participants to connect with others, exchange practical strategies, discuss challenges and feel understood.
Groups are facilitated by culturally knowledgeable staff and reflect the traditions, values, family dynamics and lived realities of participants. Alongside emotional and peer support, groups may include information about dementia, brain health, caregiving and community resources. Most importantly, they help participants build meaningful connections and recognize that they do not have to navigate the dementia journey alone.
Meet the Team
Our Cultural Communities Navigators provide culturally responsive dementia information, navigation and support in multiple languages. They work closely with individuals, families and communities to make dementia services more accessible, relevant and responsive to diverse cultural experiences.
Fianee Chan
Cultural Communities Navigator
Fianee is the Chinese Community Engagement Navigator and is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin. She provides culturally responsive dementia information, navigation and support to members of the Chinese community.
To connect with Fianee, please call 1-877-950-5465 ext. 117 or email fchan@alzheimer.ab.ca.
简体中文
Fianee 是华人社区参与导航员，能流利使用粤语和普通话。她为华人社区提供具有文化敏感性的认知障碍信息、服务导航和支持。
如需联系 Fianee，请致电 1-877-950-5465 转 117，或发送电子邮件至 fchan@alzheimer.ab.ca。
繁體中文
Fianee 是華人社區參與導航員，能流利使用粵語和普通話。她為華人社區提供具文化敏感性的認知障礙症資訊、服務導航和支援。
如需聯絡 Fianee，請致電 1-877-950-5465 轉 117，或發送電子郵件至 fchan@alzheimer.ab.ca。
Astra Fe Penas
Cultural Communities Navigator
Astra is the Filipino Community Engagement Navigator and is fluent in Tagalog and Bisaya. She provides culturally responsive dementia information, navigation and support to members of the Filipino community.
To connect with Astra, please call 1-877-950-5465 ext. 112 or email afepenas@alzheimer.ab.ca.
Tagalog
Si Astra ang Filipino Community Engagement Navigator at matatas sa Tagalog at Bisaya. Nagbibigay siya sa komunidad ng mga Pilipino ng impormasyon tungkol sa dementia, paggabay sa mga serbisyo at suporta na sensitibo at angkop sa kultura.
Para makipag-ugnayan kay Astra, tumawag sa 1-877-950-5465 ext. 112 o mag-email sa afepenas@alzheimer.ab.ca.
Maleeha Panjwani
Cultural Communities Navigator
Maleeha is a South Asian Community Engagement Navigator and is fluent in Gujarati and Kacchi. She provides culturally responsive dementia information, navigation and support to members of the South Asian community.
To connect with Maleeha, please call 1-877-950-5465 ext. 501 or email mpanjwani@alzheimer.ab.ca.
ગુજરાતી
મલીહા દક્ષિણ એશિયાઈ સમુદાય જોડાણ નેવિગેટર છે અને ગુજરાતી તથા કચ્છી ભાષામાં નિપુણ છે. તેઓ દક્ષિણ એશિયાઈ સમુદાયને સાંસ્કૃતિક રીતે સંવેદનશીલ ડિમેન્શિયા સંબંધિત માહિતી, સેવાઓ માટે માર્ગદર્શન અને સહાય પૂરી પાડે છે.
મલીહા સાથે સંપર્ક કરવા માટે 1-877-950-5465 એક્સ્ટેન્શન 501 પર કૉલ કરો અથવા mpanjwani@alzheimer.ab.ca પર ઈમેલ કરો.
Priya Sharma
Cultural Communities Navigator
Priya is a South Asian Community Engagement Navigator and is fluent in Hindi and Punjabi. She provides culturally responsive dementia information, navigation and support to members of the South Asian community.
To connect with Priya, please call 1-877-950-5465 ext. 202 or email psharma@alzheimer.ab.ca.
हिन्दी
प्रिया दक्षिण एशियाई समुदाय सहभागिता नेविगेटर हैं और हिंदी तथा पंजाबी में धाराप्रवाह हैं। वह दक्षिण एशियाई समुदाय को सांस्कृतिक रूप से संवेदनशील डिमेंशिया संबंधी जानकारी, सेवाओं तक पहुंचने में मार्गदर्शन और सहयोग प्रदान करती हैं।
प्रिया से संपर्क करने के लिए 1-877-950-5465 एक्सटेंशन 202 पर कॉल करें या psharma@alzheimer.ab.ca पर ईमेल करें।
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
ਪ੍ਰਿਆ ਦੱਖਣੀ ਏਸ਼ੀਆਈ ਭਾਈਚਾਰਾ ਸੰਪਰਕ ਨੇਵੀਗੇਟਰ ਹੈ ਅਤੇ ਹਿੰਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਮਾਹਰ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਦੱਖਣੀ ਏਸ਼ੀਆਈ ਭਾਈਚਾਰੇ ਨੂੰ ਸੱਭਿਆਚਾਰਕ ਤੌਰ ’ਤੇ ਸੰਵੇਦਨਸ਼ੀਲ ਡਿਮੈਂਸ਼ੀਆ ਸੰਬੰਧੀ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ, ਸੇਵਾਵਾਂ ਤੱਕ ਪਹੁੰਚਣ ਲਈ ਮਾਰਗਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਅਤੇ ਸਹਾਇਤਾ ਪ੍ਰਦਾਨ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ।
ਪ੍ਰਿਆ ਨਾਲ ਸੰਪਰਕ ਕਰਨ ਲਈ 1-877-950-5465 ਐਕਸਟੈਂਸ਼ਨ 202 ’ਤੇ ਕਾਲ ਕਰੋ ਜਾਂ psharma@alzheimer.ab.ca ’ਤੇ ਈਮੇਲ ਕਰੋ।
South Asian Communities
National Resources
- “5 Things to Know About Dementia” – Punjabi Dementia Awareness Leaflet Punjabi
- “Understanding Dementia in South Asian Communities” – YouTube Video English Hindi Punjabi
- “Worried About Your Memory?” – Punjabi Dementia Awareness Leaflet Punjabi
- Alzheimer Society of Canada – Punjabi Dementia Resources Punjabi
- Alzheimer Society of Toronto – Educational Videos in Hindi Hindi
- Alzheimer’s Society UK – “Changing Perceptions: Dementia in the Punjabi Community” English
- Apna Health – Culturally Sensitive Resources English Hindi Punjabi Urdu
- Elizz – Caregiving Support English French Punjabi Spanish
- Engaging with Individuals with Dementia: Hindi and Punjabi Audio Resources Hindi Punjabi
- Forward with Dementia – South Asian Resources English French Hindi Punjabi Urdu
- McGill University – “Dementia, Your Companion Guide” (Punjabi Version) Punjabi
- Video: Experiences of Dementia in South Asian Communities in Canada English Hindi Punjabi
Filipino Communities
Chinese Community
National Resources
- Alzheimer Society of Canada – Dementia Information in Chinese English Simplified Chinese Traditional Chinese
- Alzheimer’s Association – Asian Resources Simplified Chinese
- Alzheimer’s Society – Dementia Information in Traditional Chinese English Traditional Chinese
- Dementia in the Chinese community | Alzheimer Society of Canada English
- Face Dementia Campaign English Simplified Chinese
- Forward with Dementia – Chinese Community Resources French Simplified Chinese Traditional Chinese
- Video Perspectives on Brain Health in Chinese Communities in Canada English Simplified Chinese Traditional Chinese
- Yee Hong Centre for Geriatric Care – Dementia Hub English Simplified Chinese Traditional Chinese
Other Communities
Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI)
Rare Dementia Support (RDS)
Dementia Australia – Multilingual Resources
No resources match the selected language(s).