Dan Roberge
Hello, Christina. Nice to meet you. Where are we? What are you doing here? What do you do?
Christiana Egi
This is a long term retirement home conference in Mississauga, Ontario. Together We Care. Yes, and I'm here today. Actually, I was a presenter yesterday. And today I'm just here to take in some presentations, you know, network with people from different industries. So my background is I am the executive director of Alexis Lodge Retirement Residences.
Dan Roberge
Where is that? Scarborough. Okay.
Christiana Egi
They are memory care facilities where we take care of of people living with dementia in a home-like environment, offering person centered and relational care, which means we care for the building, care around them, and let them have a say in what they want. Work with them to make their lives easy, dignified, loving, and comfortable.
Dan Roberge
That's amazing. And so you said you spoke yesterday?
Christiana Egi
I was actually in partnership with Unity Health, Waterloo University and partners from other communities. Like other retirement home communities. We are working on a project called End of Life Project. Dying on our own terms. So we were presenting the framework. And for that program, there are three documentary films that have been developed. One for families, one for professionals, and one for people living with dementia.
Christiana Egi
You know, we all want to go to Heaven, but no one wants to die. So we are trying to remove the stigma, make that something that people are comfortable talking about. Because when you know what you want, how you envision your end of life, and your family knows about it, it makes it easier. It takes that stress off them in the most difficult time.
Dan Roberge
Wow, wow. And so I know that you have a podcast that talks about dementia. What is that podcast about?
Christiana Egi
I own homes that care for people with types of dementia. So dementia is one of the most misunderstood conditions. It's not a disease. It's the symptoms that come when you know the brain is damaged from hundreds of diseases, the most common being all time highs. So it is so highly misunderstood, and people don't understand just how challenging that journey is for the person living with dementia, and for their families.
Christiana Egi
And so when people are going through dementia, they don't get the support that they need. Society, you know, sort of shy away from them. So my podcast is called Unmasking Dementia Lived Experiences, and I feature families that have gone through that journey, and professionals that help with new scientific discoveries. And, you know, more information for families. And hearing from somebody that has walked a mile in your shoes makes it a lot easier.
Christiana Egi
They get to talk to those people that are going through the dementia journey so that they know they are not alone, and that whatever they're experiencing is not unique to them.
Dan Roberge
Wow. I could see that being extremely supportive for families to watch. So where can they watch the podcast?
Christiana Egi
It's on YouTube, Alexis Lodge YouTube channel. It's on Spotify as well.
Dan Roberge
Okay. And they just search the title.
Christiana Egi
Alexis Lodge, and unmasking dementia lived experiences. I also write books. I have authored six books on dementia. Five of them being children's books for families, not just children, because my first book is being used by Montana State University as part of their children's studies. So my book is loaded with real life experiences from my 27 years of caring for people with dementia.
Christiana Egi
Wow. And I also started a charitable organization called Roswell Grandma Wellness Hub for communities, marginalized communities facing the challenges of dementia. Because it's one thing to be in the marginalized communities, another thing to have to deal with the mention and the stigma and lack of support that is surrounding it. So however, the charities for everyone to educate, raise awareness, provide support.
Christiana Egi
And, you know, just my goal is that no one living with dementia should walk the journey alone.
Dan Roberge
Wow, it sounds like you're contributing a lot to education around it. You've got a lot of different avenues that you're reaching out that message. So thank you for doing that work, and thank you for talking to me.
Christiana Egi
You're welcome. It's a pleasure. Thanks for having me.
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