In this Ask the Experts conversation, Teepa Snow (Positive Approach to Care), Carrie Aalberts (Dementia Darling), Dr. Natali Edmonds (Dementia Careblazers), and Rachael Wonderlin (Dementia by Day) explore the ethics of disguising exits in dementia care. The discussion includes real-world examples such as bookshelf-painted doors, waterfall murals, and other environmental design strategies used to reduce exit-seeking, while weighing safety, dignity, and autonomy.

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.

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.

What if one man’s run could change the course of dementia research?

In this episode, Andrew Karesa sits down with Jason Boschan, founder of Run4Papa, to explore how one grandson’s promise to his “Papa” became a global movement for hope, awareness, and change.

Inspired by his grandfather, Dr. Louis “Papa” Heyman — a lifelong pediatrician who dedicated his life to caring for others — Jason has run marathons on all seven continents, raising nearly $400,000 in pilot funding that has generated over $20 million in research grants.

Together, Andrew and Jason reflect on what it means to turn loss into legacy, why transparency builds trust in philanthropy, and how running can become a powerful form of advocacy. From the Great Wall of China to Mount Everest, Jason shares the lessons learned through every mile — and the families that keep him moving forward.

In this episode:

• The story behind Run4Papa and its mission to fund dementia research

• How one race on the Great Wall of China changed everything

• The power of storytelling and connection in global fundraising

• Turning $350K into $10M+ in research impact

• Why “everyone impacted by dementia is — or was — someone’s #1”

• Lessons on resilience from marathons in Antarctica, Africa, and Everest

• The vision for 50 half marathons in 50 states — and what drives him next

Whether you’re a caregiver, a runner, or someone searching for purpose through loss, Jason’s story is a reminder that hope can travel any distance — and that sometimes, the race for a cure begins with a single step.

Learn more at:⁠https://www.bluebellvillage.ca⁠https://run4papa.comDisclaimer: 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.

What if dementia care wasn’t about managing decline — but about nurturing connection, learning, and joy?

In this episode, Andrew Karesa sits down with James Lee, co-founder and CEO of Bella Groves, a dementia care community in Bulverde, Texas, that’s redefining what person-centered care can look like.

For nearly 20 years, James has been reshaping senior living from the inside out — from his early days as a caregiver to his work as an industry leader, TEDx speaker, and founder of the Senior Living Think Tank. His journey reveals why the heart of dementia care isn’t efficiency or systems — it’s people.

Together, Andrew and James explore what it means to lead with head and heart, the trade-offs of private versus public funding models, and how small communities can spark big change through empathy, education, and design. James also shares how Bella Groves is building a “learning community” that empowers families and professionals alike — and why joy should be measured as carefully as outcomes.

In this episode:

• The “accident” that led James from finance to dementia care

• How Bella Groves redefines success through Unconditional Joy™

• Why time is the caregiver’s most precious resource

• The myth of operational efficiency in care settings

• How the Senior Living Think Tank is creating global collaboration

• Lessons from dementia communities in Amsterdam and Okinawa

• Why joy doesn’t need to be remembered to be meaningful

Whether you’re a caregiver, a leader, or simply curious about what’s next for dementia care, this conversation will challenge how you see the future — and remind you that good care begins and ends with connection.

Learn more at:https://www.bluebellvillage.ca

https://www.bellagroves.com

https://www.thinktankleadership.comDisclaimer: 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.

What does trust look like when you’re caring for someone with dementia — and how do families rebuild it when systems, stress, and exhaustion get in the way?

In this episode, Andrew sits down with Lance A. Slatton — known to millions as The Senior Care Influencer and host of the award-winning podcast All Home Care Matters.

For more than 20 years, Lance has walked alongside families through the hardest parts of dementia care. From caring for his own grandmother and father, to leading one of Michigan’s most respected home care organizations, he’s seen how honesty, compassion, and community can turn fear into hope.

Together, they explore what caregivers often get wrong, what professionals sometimes forget, and the simple truths that make care work — trust, dignity, and connection.

In this episode:

• The early lessons that shaped Lance’s life in care• What honesty really means in dementia support

• How to recognize and recover from caregiver burnout• The hidden cost of revolving-door care

• Why faith and purpose sustain caregivers when nothing else can

• The story behind All Home Care Matters — and what nearly 400 conversations have taught him about resilience

Whether you’re a new caregiver or deep in the thick of it, this episode is a grounding reminder that good care isn’t just about doing more — it’s about being there, with trust at the center.

Learn more at:

https://www.bluebellvillage.ca

https://www.elhcs.com

https://lanceaslatton.com

https://allhomecarematters.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.

What if your family forgot who you were? What if you had just minutes to prepare to be remembered?

In this episode, Andrew talks with Aaron Tong, caregiver, father, and founder of Aeternum — a private, inheritable digital platform designed to preserve memory, legacy, and identity across generations.

Aaron shares the deeply personal story behind Aeternum: a terrifying flight, a conversation with his young daughter, and the realization that even love isn’t always enough to be remembered. What started as a father’s promise became a mission to help other families — especially those affected by dementia — capture the stories, voices, and values that make us who we are.

Together, they explore how preserving memory can reduce caregiver stress, rebuild empathy, and offer families a new way to stay connected — even after memory fades.

In this episode:

• The moment Aaron thought he wouldn’t make it home — and what he did next

• Why his daughter’s question changed everything: “What if I don’t remember you?”

• How Aeternum helps caregivers preserve stories before they’re lost

• Why traditional platforms like Facebook fall short for legacy and dementia support

• How memory-sharing can reduce friction and rehumanize caregiving

• What engineering taught Aaron about building simple, meaningful technology

• Why legacy matters more than ever for caregivers and the next generation

Whether you’re just starting the dementia journey or reflecting on what remains after someone is gone, this episode is a powerful reminder: we all deserve to be remembered — and there are ways to make that easier.

Learn more at:https://www.bluebellvillage.ca

https://www.aeternumproject.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.

In this powerful episode of The Dementia Collective, host Andrew Karesa sits down with Stephanie Fauquier — strategic leader, endurance athlete, and founder of Race with Steph — to explore how love, movement, and purpose can transform the way we talk about dementia.

When Stephanie’s mother, Dr. Robin McLeod, an Order of Canada recipient and trailblazing surgeon, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she chose to act. What began as one triathlon became ten races across Canada, raising nearly $1 million for Alzheimer’s research and sparking a national conversation about compassion, resilience, and legacy.

Together, Andrew and Stephanie talk about caregiving through travel, finding structure amid chaos, and how kindness and curiosity can help families face dementia with strength and grace.

In this episode:

• How Race with Steph united communities across Canada

• Lessons from Dr. Robin McLeod’s life and legacy

• The reality of traveling with a loved one living with Alzheimer’s

• Why resilience and community matter in caregiving

• How small steps can lead to lasting change

Learn more at:https://www.bluebellvillage.cahttps://www.racewithsteph.comDisclaimer: 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.

What does it really mean to care for someone with dementia — not just keep them safe, but keep them seen?

In this episode, Andrew talks with Katie Fyfe, caregiver, storyteller, and founder of Eldering.co.uk, who moved her father next door and gave him a dog — not because it was easy, but because it was right. That decision sparked a journey that led to the creation of @dadanddolly, a growing community centered on joy, memory, and connection in the face of Alzheimer’s.

Katie shares how her lived experience caring for both her mother and father has shaped a life and business rooted in empathy. Through creative projects like the Dad and Dolly Project, she’s showing that later life — and caregiving — can be full of meaning, if we choose to slow down, pay attention, and care with intention.

In this episode:

• Katie’s journey from medicine to caregiving• Why she moved her dad next door — and eventually in together

• The role Dolly (the dog) plays in companionship and cognitive strength

• Daily strategies to help her father live well with dementia• The surprising power of clothing, memory, and routine• How society undervalues care work — and why that needs to change

• Why creativity is essential to both care and identityWhether you’re walking the dementia journey now or preparing for it in the future, this conversation is a moving reminder that care isn’t just what we do — it’s who we become.

Learn more at:

https://bluebellvillage.cahttps://www.eldering.co.uk

https://www.dadanddolly.com

https://www.instagram.com/dadanddolly

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.