Ash Abhyankar and Erin Guppy have a friendship that spans nearly three decades. Since Erin鈥檚 mother, Joanne, was diagnosed with Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, the two friends have grown even closer.

January is , an opportunity for people to have conversations about dementia. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is recognizing Alzheimer鈥檚 Awareness Month by sharing the experiences of people like Ash and Erin, who have found meaning, connection and joy after a dementia diagnosis.

The Abhyankar and Guppy families first connected when Erin became close friends with Ash鈥檚 son in middle school. Their bond deepened in March of 2022, when Erin supported Ash during his recovery from knee surgery and eventually opened up about the challenges she faced as a caregiver for her mother.

In 2019, Joanne was offered a space at a private care home in 91原创. However, the three-hour drive to visit her mother, combined with Joanne鈥檚 struggles to adapt to the care provided, made Erin realize they needed to fast-track their plan to secure a public bed closer to home.

Ash, familiar with the health-care system through his volunteer work and caregiving for his sister 鈥� who sustained a traumatic brain injury as a toddler in India and ultimately developed dementia 鈥� immediately stepped in to help.

With help from Ash鈥檚 connections and determination, Erin was able to move her mother to a care home just 10 minutes away, allowing her to visit Joanne almost every day.

鈥淚鈥檝e found the magic of 鈥榖eing鈥� and glimpses of joy and connection,鈥� Erin says. 鈥淚 see this through connections with the Alzheimer Society of B.C., the angels who work alongside Mom and the importance of family. When you really sit down and think about it, it takes a village to navigate this disease and help our loved ones live with the dignity they so deserve.鈥�

Take part

In January, caregivers and people living with dementia will explore this year鈥檚 Alzheimer鈥檚 Awareness Month theme by sharing their unique journeys living with the disease in two virtual panel discussions. Participants will learn how the Alzheimer Society of B.C. listened to families' needs and guided them to programs, resources and education that were right for them. 
 

• on Jan. 15 from 2 to 30 p.m. PT
• on Janu. 22 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. PT. 

Find support

If you have questions about Alzheimer鈥檚 disease or other dementias, call the Alzheimer Society of B.C.'s for information and support (toll-free in B.C. only):

• English: 1-800-936-6033 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
• Cantonese and Mandarin: 1-833-674-5007 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu: 1-833-674-5003 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)