My name is Lorri, and I’d like to share how your support this holiday season helps families like mine create lasting memories, even in the face of dementia.
When my mom, GG, was diagnosed with dementia, it was overwhelming. But with the help of the Alzheimer Society, my family faced the diagnosis head-on and kept our cherished family traditions alive.

Caring for someone with dementia can be exhausting—87% of care partners feel emotionally, physically, and socially drained. The Alzheimer Society gave me the tools I needed to care for GG at home, especially during the holidays, when things felt the hardest. They provided us with the guidance, resources, and support to navigate the challenges we were facing.

One of my fondest memories was baking Christmas treats with GG. She loved making her famous chocolate-dipped peanut butter balls, and every year we’d prepare hundreds to share with family and friends.

One year, while we were cooling the treats outside, a mischievous squirrel got into our Tupperware and scattered the peanut butter balls all over the deck!
For months afterward, neighbours would send back reports of all the places they’d found peanut butter balls: in barbecues, in plant pots—you name it, they found them there. It became a long-standing joke up and down the street.

Though we lost our treats that day, the laughter and the memory we made were priceless. These moments remind me of the importance of cherishing time with our loved ones, even as dementia changes so much.

Thanks to the Alzheimer Society’s support, GG could live well with dementia in her own home, surrounded by the people and memories she loved most.

This holiday season, families like mine need your help more than ever. Your gift to the Alzheimer Society directly supports programs that provide care partners with the guidance, respite, and community of support they need to keep their loved ones living well at home.

Your generosity can make the difference between isolation and connection, between fear and hope. By donating today, you’ll ensure that families like mine can stay connected and supported through every stage of dementia.

Thank you for your kindness and support. From my family to yours, warm wishes for a joyful and love-filled holiday season.
Lorri M.

P.S. As a thanks for reading my story and supporting the Alzheimer Society, here’s GG’s famous peanut butter ball recipe. Good luck keeping them out of the hands of hungry neighbourhood squirrels!