A new project aimed at improving supports for those living with dementia has launched in the Greater Trail area.
The project was launched in partnership with Nav-CARE, Better at Home, and the Columbia Seniors Wellness Society, and spans the entire Greater Trail region, including Rossland, Warfield, Montrose, Genelle, and Fruitvale.
Project coordinator Maggie Shirley says the initiative has a two-pronged approach involving Nav-CARE—a volunteer program that supports dementia patients—and community education to reduce stigmas.
“One of the goals is we are trying to train more volunteers for Nav-CARE in the Trail area so that they can be working with people with dementia and their caregivers. The second is that dementia is still quite misunderstood, and so there’s a lot of stigma that keeps people with dementia from having full and rich lives. So we’re working to come up with initiatives to help educate the public.”
Shirley says an advisory committee has been established to help guide the project. It is comprised of over a dozen members, including city councillors, health professionals, caregivers, and individuals living with dementia.
The advisory committee will work to develop initiatives and strategies to educate the public and support families, caregivers, and patients living with dementia.
“Some examples might be a group for people living with dementia to get together and talk about their lives. Another example might be a public education campaign so that the public starts to understand what dementia is and how to include people with dementia in our community. So those are just a couple of ideas.”
Shirley says the project is funded through UBC Okanagan, which developed the Nav-CARE program. It’s being piloted in six communities across Canada, with Trail being the first to roll it out.
The Trail area was chosen to pilot the project because the need for dementia care is higher in rural communities.
“Dementia care in any rural community needs more services and support. There’s not necessarily a higher rate of dementia in Trail, but like any community, it is here and growing,” said Shirley.
In the spring, Shirley says they will begin training volunteers in a free Nav-CARE training program. Trained volunteers help people living with dementia and their families access resources and services in the community while providing companionship and emotional support.
Most of the training is provided online; however, there will be an in-person follow-up so volunteers can meet each other and fine-tune their skills.
Shirley says they’re urgently seeking community members willing to commit about two to four hours a month as Nav-CARE volunteers, emphasizing its importance for the community.
“Isolation is actually one of the biggest determinants of health. If you’re isolated, the chances of it impacting your health are actually greater than smoking or drinking alcohol. So it’s important that we work to reach people who might be isolated in their homes.
“With Nav-CARE training, it’s not just about visiting people but also about helping them navigate the health care system. It’s a really good, solid, thorough training program, and it’s such an important service for people in our community.”
She says they’re also recruiting more members for the advisory committee.
The project concludes at the end of this year; however, Shirley says they will be exploring additional funding opportunities throughout the year to extend it into 2026.
For more information on the project, Nav-CARE, and how to get involved, email [email protected] or click here.
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