What if the future of dementia care wasn’t in a hospital, but on a farm?

In this episode, Andrew Karesa sits down with Rebekah Churchyard, Founder and CEO of Green Care Farms, to explore how one granddaughter’s love for her grandparents sparked a new model of dementia care rooted in nature, purpose, and community.

After witnessing the gaps her grandparents faced in rural dementia care, Rebekah set out to reimagine what support could look like. Today, her award-winning organization operates Canada’s first nature-based day program for people living with dementia on an operational farm, where participants harvest vegetables, feed animals, and rediscover the joy of meaningful work.

Together, Andrew and Rebekah unpack the deeper connection between land and care, the socioeconomic opportunity within Canada’s agri-food sector, and why she envisions a care farm in every community across Canada. They also discuss how caregivers can find renewal in the simplicity of open skies, green fields, and shared purpose.

In this episode:

• How Rebekah’s grandparents inspired the creation of Green Care Farms

• What a typical day on a care farm looks like for someone living with dementia

• The global roots of care farming and why Canada is ready for it

• Challenges and opportunities for rural dementia care

• How care farms support food security and community resilience

• The growing movement to make care farming part of Canada’s care system

• Rebekah’s vision for a care farm in every community

Whether you are a caregiver, policymaker, or someone dreaming of a better way to age, Rebekah’s story is a reminder that healing can happen anywhere, especially when care meets the land.

Learn more at:⁠⁠

https://www.bluebellvillage.ca⁠⁠⁠

https://www.carefarmscanada.com

Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Andrew Karesa, blueBell Village Ltd., or any of its employees, contractors, or team members.