Our Mission
We lead with our influence and expertise to help people impacted by dementia to live well, and we build community capacity to support them.
Our Vision
An inclusive and caring community where people impacted by dementia are valued and empowered.
Our Core Beliefs for a caring future:
We believe that people impacted by dementia have the right to:
• Timely support from the community
• Compassion, kindness and acceptance within their close and extended community
• Leading expertise, knowledge and evidence-informed practices
• Inclusion as active community participants
Guiding Principles
Person-centred
Committed to treating persons with dementia and their caregivers with respect, dignity and compassion at all times.
Outcome-driven
Committed to evidence-based best practices that deliver results.
Advocates for choice
Empowering people with the knowledge that will enable them to make informed choices.
Barrier-free access
Striving for accessible services meeting the needs of diverse communities.
Accountable and responsible
Committed to efficient practices and effective, sustainable stewardship.
Collaboration and partnerships
Working with others to leverage resources.
Capacity-building
Increasing our own capacity and the ability of the community to support persons living with dementia and their care partners
Our Beginnings
In 1981, the Alzheimer Society of Calgary was started by a small group of volunteers and was led by a woman named Jeanne Bentley.
These motivated individuals and inspirational people were determined to provide resources and support to families, like their own, who needed help and support throughout their journey of impact.
Later in life, Jeanne, herself, developed Alzheimer’s disease. She became a participant in the programs and support services she established years before.
Today we honour her legacy by acknowledging our volunteers and community partners who exemplify the same commitment to service as Jeanne did.
Jeanne Hazel Bentley
Society Founder
August 11, 1932 – February 17, 2009
Jeanne Bentley was born on August 11, 1932, in Strome, Alberta. She lived in Calgary and Edmonton and spent time her summers at Maligne Lake near Jasper where her parents worked at the lodge. Jeanne began her career as a secretary in the oil and gas industry until she moved to Lafayette, Louisiana with her husband Bob in 1960. There she gave birth to her daughter Pam and the family moved back to Calgary in 1971.
Jeanne was a talented craftswoman, owning and operating Calgary Ceramics for several years. Her many gifts included sewing, ceramics, knitting, tole painting, cross-stitching, golfing and gardening. She even lent her vocals to sing as a soprano in her church choir. Jeanne was an avid volunteer as a Brownie leader (in both Louisiana and Calgary) and gave her time generously to the Mustard Seed.
After her father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1981, Jeanne and ten other care partners founded the Alzheimer Society of Calgary. She served in many capacities over the next 20 years, including becoming president of the Alzheimer Society of Calgary and the Alzheimer Society of Canada. In 1988 Jeanne was recognized with the Louise Dean Award for a top volunteer in Calgary
The Alzheimer Society of Calgary has since established the Jeanne Bentley Awards in her honour to recognize outstanding volunteer contributions to the community.
The Alzheimer Society of Calgary continues to recognize the legacy of Jeanne by providing support and care for thousands of people in our community that are impacted by Alzheimer's or another type of dementia.
We are so grateful to Jeanne for her ground-breaking vision and for inspiring much of the work we carry out today.