Celebrating Women in the Dementia Community

Sunday, March 8 is International Women’s Day — a time to celebrate and honour all women. On this day, the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba celebrates the strength, leadership and compassion of the women who shape our dementia community.

From the dedicated staff who support families across Manitoba navigating dementia, to the care partners, researchers and those living with dementia themselves — women really are at the heart of our organization.

Take a moment to learn about some of the women who shape our dementia community.

Meet the “Coffee Ladies.”

The friendship between these women grew naturally, shaped by a shared understanding of what it means to care for a partner living with dementia. While each of their experiences is unique, they’ve found comfort in knowing they’re not alone.

Here are some of the women on our team.

We are proud women make up 95 per cent of our Alzheimer Society of Manitoba team providing clients with a person-centred approach that reflects how we support families living with dementia.

Parisa is a researcher from the University of Manitoba.

“My grandmother remains one of the strongest motivations behind the work I do. I want to help others living with Alzheimer’s disease because I couldn’t be there to help her in the way I wanted to.”

Learn about women, brain health & dementia

By 2050, it is estimated that over 1.7 million Canadians will have dementia – and roughly 60% of them will be women. The higher rate of women developing dementia is not just because women tend to live longer. Stress, reproductive history and a decline in estrogen brought about by menopause may all play a role in the onset of dementia.

Although gender is a dementia risk factor we cannot control, there are many other things we can do to help protect our brains – including learning more about the unique ways cognitive changes and dementia can affect us based on our genders. Explore the resources below to learn more:

• Video: A discussion on women, brain health and dementia | Alzheimer Society of Canada
• womensbrainhealth.org
• What women should know about menopause and brain fog – Prof. Pauline Maki | YouTube
• Sex, Gender and Dementia: Findings from the Landmark Study Report #2
  • This printable, three-page infographic features data and research from the Landmark Study Report #2, The Many Faces of Dementia in Canada, released in January 2024.