01/06/2026
At Reena, we know isn’t just a clinical term, it’s something that touches lives, changes relationships, and deserves our full attention and heart.
Every January in Canada, ’s Awareness Month reminds us that stigma still holds too many people back from understanding, from connecting, and from living their best lives with dementia. Awareness matters because when we talk openly about dementia, we strip away the fear and replace it with curiosity, respect, and support.
Alzheimer Society of Canada
But here’s the thing: people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who experience dementia are often invisible in that conversation. That’s why Reena has been stepping up: not just to participate, but to lead. Through our Dementia Strategy Project with the NTG-Canadian Consortium, we’re adapting guidance, sharing learnings from lived experience, and making sure people with developmental disabilities, their families, and supporters are seen, heard, and supported. https://reena.org/initiatives/dementia-strategy-project/
Let’s be honest: stigma doesn’t disappear with a poster or a hashtag alone. It fades when we listen — really listen — when we learn, and when we act together. This Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and every month, let’s make space for the full spectrum of dementia stories, especially those too often overlooked. After all, everyone deserves dignity, understanding, and a sense of community.
As recognized in Canada’s National Dementia Strategy, the primary objective of this ground-breaking project is to update and adapt existing guidance developed by the National Task Group (NTG-US) on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices, utilizing a Canadian perspective.
