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By rdnewsNOW staff

Living Well with Grief and Loss program

New program fills gap in dementia support

Nov 23, 2025 | 8:00 AM

The Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories has announced the launch of a new program

The Living Well with Grief and Loss program provides specialized support for both people living with dementia and their care partners.

“In dementia, grief doesn’t wait for death,” says Sarah Rudd, Manager, Palliative Approach & Grief Supports, in a press release “When abilities shift or relationships take new shape, people are navigating real emotional losses. Living well with dementia means being honest about these changes, and finding supports to adapt, connect, and focus on what matters most.”

Officials say research shows that care partners of people living with dementia face unique challenges. In Alberta alone, care partners are said to provide more than 40 million unpaid hours of care annually – the equivalent of 23,000 full-time jobs. According to officials, nearly half (45 per cent) of dementia care partners show symptoms of distress, compared to 26 per cent of care partners supporting people with other health conditions.

With over 62,000 Albertans currently living with dementia, the organization says that number is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades, adding, the need for comprehensive support has never been greater.

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Grant-funded by the Alberta government , Living Well with Grief and Loss integrates a palliative approach to dementia care, emphasizing quality of life, connection, and meaning-making from diagnosis forward, not just at the end of life.

The program offers:

• Grief support groups that create community and reduce isolation
• Individual grief counselling tailored to the dementia experience
• Mindfulness-based therapy to help process loss and build resilience

“Grief ebbs and flows like an ocean wave,” says Marie Muggeridge, Mindfulness Programs Specialist. “Mindfulness helps build resilience by anchoring us in the present moment, even when loss feels heavy. These skills help people living with dementia and their care partners find presence, connection, and meaning in everyday moments.”

Officials say the program is available across Alberta, with resources accessible online and through personalized intake.

As part of the Living Well with Grief and Loss program, the Society says it is offering a free virtual webinar, The Art of Being Present, on Dec. 3, 2025 from 7-8 p.m. MST.

Led by Muggeridge, the session is expected to explore mindfulness practices, meditation techniques, and art-making to help participants stay in the moment. The webinar is open to anyone living with dementia or care partners. Participants are encouraged to bring 3-4 sheets of paper, a pencil, a pen, and colouring supplies.

For more information about Living Well with Grief and Loss or to register for The Art of Being Present webinar, visit www.HelpForDementia.ca/Living-Well.