McGill Dementia Education Program

05/29/2026

Join us on June 10, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. EDT for the next episode of McGill Cares, a free webcast series designed to support informal caregivers of people living with dementia.

McGill Cares: Understanding the Quebec Act Respecting End-of-Life Care

This special one-hour webcast will feature Carmen Desjardins, BSc(N), Program Manager of the Dementia and Psychiatric Comorbidities Program at the Douglas Research Institute and a leading expert in dementia care.

During this session, Ms. Desjardins will explain Quebec’s Act Respecting End-of-Life Care, including palliative care, continuous palliative sedation, medical aid in dying, advance medical directives, and the concepts of decision-making capacity and incapacity. The discussion will help caregivers better understand the options, protections, and supports available to individuals at the end of life.

The webcast will be offered in both English and French.

No registration is required

Join us on June 10, 2026 at 12:00 EDT for our next episode of McGill Cares, a webcast series designed to support informal caregivers. During candid, 30-minute interviews with leading experts, Claire Webster, Founder of the McGill Dementia Education Program, explores topics related to caring for a lo...

05/11/2026

Soyez des nôtres le 13 mai 2026 à midi pour notre prochain épisode de McGill à vos côtés, une série de webémissions qui a pour but de soutenir les proches aidants.

Lors d’entretiens sans artifice de 30 minutes avec des experts de premier plan, Claire Webster, fondatrice du Programme de formation sur les troubles neurocognitifs de McGill, explore des sujets liés aux soins d’un proche atteint d’un trouble neurocognitif.

McGill à vos côtés : Surmonter la culpabilité de la personne aidante et bâtir votre cercle de soins

Zelda Freitas, M.S.S., est travailleuse sociale et conseillère clinique en pratique professionnelle pour les Services de réadaptation et les Services multidisciplinaires du CIUSSS Centre-Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal. Elle est aussi professeure adjointe et chargée de cours à l’École de travail social de l’Université McGill. Son travail est centré sur les personnes proches aidantes et les soins, ainsi que sur les personnes âgées et la pratique psychosociale, incluant les soins palliatifs et les soins de fin de vie. Membre fondatrice du projet Connexion pour les personnes proches aidantes endeuillées, elle y apporte à la fois son expertise professionnelle et son vécu d’ancienne aidante auprès de ses défunts parents.

Dans cet épisode de McGill à vos côtés, Zelda parlera du poids émotionnel de la culpabilité des personnes proches aidantes et de son impact sur leur bien-être. Elle présentera des moyens concrets de reconnaître et de surmonter ces sentiments, tout en soulignant l’importance de se constituer un solide « cercle de soins ». Les participants apprendront à partager les responsabilités, à trouver du soutien et à accepter de l’aide afin de préserver une prise en charge bienveillante et équilibrée.

Cette webémission gratuite sera disponible en français et en anglais.

https://www.mcgill.ca/dementia/fr/channels/event/mcgill-vos-cotes-surmonter-la-culpabilite-de-la-personne-aidante-et-batir-votre-cercle-de-soins-372858

Soyez des nôtres le 13 mai 2026 à midi pour notre prochain épisode de McGill à vos côtés, une série de webémissions qui a pour but de soutenir les proches aidants. Lors d’entretiens sans artifice de 30 minutes avec des experts de premier plan, Claire Webster, fondatrice du Programme de f...

04/29/2026

The McGill University Dementia Education Program is proud to share that Dr. José A. Morais has been honoured with the 2026 Ronald Cape Distinguished Service Award from the Canadian Geriatrics Society. This prestigious award recognizes Dr. Morais’ exemplary contributions to the field of geriatrics in Canada, acknowledging his leadership and innovation throughout his distinguished career. Congratulations, Dr. Morais!! 👏🎉

04/17/2026

Our next Caring Conversation will take place on April 29th at 11 a.m. in English and will be moderated by social worker Lucy Barylak and professional coach and educator Joanne Besner.

Lucy and Joanne will discuss how to advocate for services and build relationships to create your own care team. They will be joined by a care partner who advocated for his mother throughout their dementia journey.

This free online forum is open to all!

Please register via the link on the event page: https://mcgill.ca/x/5Qj

Caring Conversations is an online forum for care partners of people living with dementia to learn from experts, share concerns and ask questions. Join a conversation with experienced moderators on topics that are important to caregivers. After a short educational presentation by the hosts, there wil...

04/17/2026

We look forward to this presentation in Greenfield Park on April 22nd and hope that you can join us! See details below.

Join us for a thoughtful and informative morning conversation focused on dementia care. 💙

On April 22 from 10:00 to 11:30 am at 91 Churchill, we are thrilled to welcome Claire Webster from McGill Dementia Education Program for a special edition of Caregivers Cafe in collaboration with Seniors Respite Montérégie.

As a leader in dementia education, Claire has helped shape accessible, practical resources that support families and caregivers in real and meaningful ways. Alongside her professional work, she brings lived experience as a former caregiver to her mother, grounding her approach in both knowledge and understanding.

Through her work developing educational tools, contributing to global Alzheimer’s reports, and creating programs like McGill Cares, Claire offers insights that are clear, relevant, and rooted in what caregivers truly face day to day.

This session is an opportunity to learn, reflect, and take away practical ideas you can use, all in a welcoming community setting.

Free and open to all.
For more information:
📧 [email protected]
📞 (514) 608-9600

04/17/2026

Please join us for this insightful conversation with Claire Webster and Zelda Freitas!

- Thursday May 21, 2026
- 12:00-1:00 PM ET
- Online via Microsoft Teams
👉 Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/WN8HKDQjsz

See more details below!

📣 Upcoming Event!
From Grief to Advocacy: Navigating the Caregiving Journey 🤍

Join us for an insightful conversation between Webster, founder of the McGill Dementia Education Centre and Caregiver Crosswalk, and social worker Zelda Freitas (Caregiver Grief Connexion), as they explore the emotional landscape of dementia care. This session delves into Claire’s evolution from caregiver to advocate, discussing how grief during caregiving and bereavement can catalyze change. Together, they will address the common challenges families face navigating dementia, offering a unique perspective on the journey from personal loss to professional advocacy.

- Thursday May 21, 2026
- 12:00-1:00 PM ET
- Online via Microsoft Teams
👉 Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/WN8HKDQjsz

Caregiver Grief Connexion is funded by the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, a program of The Azrieli Foundation.

Patrick Durivage Weidner
L'Appui pour les proches aidants québécois de la proche aidance CREGÉS McGill Dementia Education Program

04/14/2026

Soyez des nôtres le 15 avril 2026 à midi pour notre prochain épisode de McGill à vos côtés, une série de webémissions qui a pour but de soutenir les proches aidants. Lors d’entretiens sans artifice de 30 minutes avec des experts de premier plan, Claire Webster, fondatrice du Programme de formation sur les troubles neurocognitifs de McGill, explore des sujets liés aux soins d’un proche atteint d’un trouble neurocognitif.

La sclérose en plaques et le cerveau : du diagnostic à l’innovation numérique

Etienne de Villers-Sidani, MDCM, FRCP(C), est neurologue, neuroscientifique, entrepreneur et directeur de la Clinique des troubles cognitifs au Neuro (Institut et Hôpital neurologiques de Montréal). Il est également professeur agrégé au Département de neurologie et de neurochirurgie de l’Université McGill.

Au cours de cet épisode de McGill à vos côtés, le Dr de Villers-Sidani parlera de la sclérose en plaques (SEP), l’une des maladies neurologiques les plus courantes chez les jeunes adultes au Canada. Il expliquera comment la SEP affecte le cerveau au fil du temps, en détaillant notamment ses effets sur les fonctions cognitives. Il nous dira aussi en quoi elle peut parfois ressembler à d’autres maladies, comme la maladie d’Alzheimer.

Il abordera également les innovations émergentes en matière de surveillance neurologique, notamment la façon dont de simples tests de mouvements oculaires effectués sur une tablette peuvent détecter des changements subtils dans le fonctionnement du cerveau. Ces approches offrent de nouveaux moyens accessibles de suivre l’évolution de la maladie en temps réel. Tout au long de la discussion, il montrera comment des patients informés et autonomes peuvent jouer un rôle crucial dans l’amélioration de leurs propres soins et résultats.

Cette webémission gratuite sera disponible en français et en anglais. Il n'est pas nécessaire de s'inscrire.

https://www.mcgill.ca/dementia/fr/channels/event/mcgill-vos-cotes-la-sclerose-en-plaques-et-le-cerveau-du-diagnostic-linnovation-numerique-372139

Sclérose en plaques Canada The Neuro

Soyez des nôtres le 15 avril 2026 à midi pour notre prochain épisode de McGill à vos côtés, une série de webémissions qui a pour but de soutenir les proches aidants. Lors d’entretiens sans artifice de 30 minutes avec des experts de premier plan, Claire Webster, fondatrice du Programme de...

04/14/2026

Join us on April 15, 2026 at noon for our next episode of McGill Cares, a webcast series designed to support informal caregivers. During candid, 30-minute interviews with leading experts, Claire Webster, Founder of the McGill University Dementia Education Program, explores topics related to caring for a loved one who is living with dementia.

Multiple Sclerosis and the Brain: From Diagnosis to Digital Innovation

Etienne de Villers-Sidani, MDCM, FRCP(C), is a neurologist, neuroscientist, and entrepreneur, and Director of the Cognitive Disorders Clinic at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital). He is also an associate professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University.

During this episode of McGill Cares, Dr. de Villers-Sidani will explore multiple sclerosis (MS), one of the most common neurological diseases affecting young adults in Canada. He will explain how MS impacts the brain over time, including its effects on cognition, and how it can sometimes resemble other conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

He will also discuss emerging innovations in neurological monitoring, including how simple eye movement tests performed on a tablet can detect subtle changes in brain function. These approaches offer new and accessible ways to track disease progression in real time. Throughout the talk, he will highlight how informed and empowered patients can play a central role in improving their own care and outcomes.

This free webcast will be offered in both ENGLISH and FRENCH.

Claire Webster The Neuro McGill Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences L'Institut de recherche du CUSM - Research Institute of the MUHC Centre universitaire de santé McGill - McGill University Health Centre MS Canada

Join us on April 15, 2026 at noon for our next episode of McGill Cares, a webcast series designed to support informal caregivers. During candid, 30-minute interviews with leading experts, Claire Webster, Founder of the McGill Dementia Education Program, explores topics related to caring for a loved....

03/27/2026

We’re proud to support the National Caregiver Day Symposium 2026, hosted by the Canadian Home Care Association and the Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence, a program of the The Azrieli Foundation.

This year’s theme, Caregiving Across Ages and Stages, will bring together caregivers, care providers, employers, researchers, and system leaders to explore:
• Navigating complex care systems
• Employer supports and workforce sustainability
• Disability, accessibility, and inclusive caregiving
• Youth and young adult caregiving

Attendees will hear from leading voices in caregiving research and practice, learn from the lived experiences of caregivers and care providers, and engage in cross-sector conversations designed to spark innovation and collaboration.

📍 April 7, 2026 | The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto
*Virtual option to attend available

Learn more: https://cdnhomecare.ca/national-caregiver-day-symposium-2026/



Claire Webster

03/25/2026

The McGill Patient Partner Collective is hosting an online event on Thursday, April 2 at 6 pm. This is a great opportunity to hear from patient partners who are shaping how healthcare is taught, researched and delivered, including Claire Webster, Founder of the McGill University Dementia Education program and researcher Lily Zeng, PhD!

This event is open to medical students, physicians, healthcare workers, educators, and anyone else who may be working with patient partners. Scan the QR code below to register!