Let's Celebrate the Women Who Light Up Our Lives This Mother’s Day!
This Mother’s Day, help us reach our goal of $25,000 to continue providing essential services and resources that celebrate and support women’s brain health. Your donation honors the influential women in your life and supports many more in our community.
Your gift will:
Support 1000+ women with free webinars.
Provide tailored resources for women to reduce their chances of developing dementia
Ensure ongoing support for caregivers that are 70% women
If your mother developed dementia, what would you do?
Read the inspiring story of the Beaton sisters, who navigated their mother's dementia journey with support, information and resources from The Dementia Society.
When Tracey and Kelly Beaton first noticed changes in their mother’s behaviour, they didn’t recognize it as the beginning stages of dementia.
Their mother, Joan, was a force of a woman. She always had a smile and a strong sense of humour. Joan volunteered at the Saint Mary’s Hospital giftshop, in Montreal, helping people find small comforts on some of the biggest days of their lives.
She loved her work, so when Tracey and Kelly heard their mother say that she was giving it up, they wondered what had happened. Turns out Joan had made a few mistakes with the cash register and had had her responsibilities at work limited ever since.
Having seen their aunt Margaret develop dementia just a few years earlier, the two sisters feared for what was to come when they realized their mother was showing similar signs.
"I honestly don't think she thought anything was wrong with her, that was a beauty in a sense, because she just continued on. Kelly and I were very aware of the journey that was ahead of us.”
The sisters bore the weight of caring for their mother together. They describe themselves as ‘the head and the heart’.
Tracey being the more naturally patient one, while Kelly is the task-oriented planner. Each brought their individual strengths to care for their mother the best way they knew how.
Joan first lived with Tracey in Montreal, so that she could feel close and comfortable as her symptoms progressed. Kelly lived in Ottawa, but wanted to be prepared for what was to come for their family.
After a quick internet search, Kelly found The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County’s website. There she found educational materials and events providing her with information about what was to come, and what she and her sister could do to prepare themselves to accompany their mother through her journey with dementia.
“I attended a workshop for family members. We were in a church basement, and it was 12 of us, and I think for me it was so eye opening because they were from all walks of life. That was incredible, the chance to connect with people going through the same thing, I didn’t feel so alone.”
Kelly and Tracey were then connected with a Dementia Care Coach, Monique, who provided guidance and advice on how to care for their mother as they navigated her dementia. Kelly still remembers her Dementia Care Coach reminding her to connect, not correct.
“Connecting with Monique was fantastic. As mom’s dementia progressed, getting advice and learning about the various care resources we could access was amazing.”
In 2019, Joan relocated to Ottawa to live with Kelly so that Joan could access healthcare services that better suited her needs. Through the help of The Dementia Society, Kelly and Tracey were able to navigate the health care system and understand how to access various community supports and services. The Dementia Society also supported the sisters to navigate the emotional journey of caring for their mother through the progression of her dementia.
“The Dementia Society was like an oasis where we could learn and address what we were going through - without judgement.”
“I will never forget that amazing woman—our Dementia Care Coach—who regularly checked in on me. She was very kind and she said thanks for sharing what your mom's up to, but I want to know how you are.”
“I truly never anticipated how exhausted I would be.”
Kelly described her exhaustion when caring as threefold. The first was the physical exhaustion of almost every waking moment being in service for another.
The second form of exhaustion was the emotional pain of losing her parent twice: first when Joan came to recognize Kelly as a ‘nice lady’ instead of her daughter, and then again when she passed away.
The third form of exhaustion was from fearing for her, and her sister’s, future after watching her aunt and mother experience dementia.
“The amazing service that the Dementia Society offers, like opportunities for rest and training, is a big resource for caregivers to have.”
Joan passed away in January 2021. Both Kelly and Tracey were living in Ottawa, caring for their mom and each other.
Tracey and Kelly’s ties to the Dementia Society remained strong. Tracey went on to attend a caregiver grief support group and Kelly went on to become a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, specializing in aging brain health.
You can register for her webinar “Let’s Talk Post-menopause and Dementia Risk and Why Nutrition Matters”, taking place on May 16th.
The Beaton sisters’ story is a poignant reminder of the silent heroes we see at The Dementia Society everyday — caregivers who navigate the complexities of dementia with love, patience, and resilience. The Dementia Society stands as an essential ally, and offers a sanctuary of resources, education, and support for families like Tracey and Kelly’s.
Together, we can offer a beacon of hope, honoring the enduring spirit of mothers everywhere. This Mother’s Day, you can honor Joan , Kelly and Tracey and all the women bravely facing dementia by supporting The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County. Your gift will ensure that no family walks this journey alone, providing a network of support and education, and relief for caregivers. Let’s unite in support of those navigating the complexities of dementia, ensuring they have the resources and community to face each day with strength and patience.
