Cycling trip to Ontario to support Alzheimer awareness

Calgarian Julian Galley is planning to cycle from Calgary to Richmond Hill, Ontario – a distance of some 3,400 kilometres – to raise awareness and financial support for the Alzheimer Society of Canada. Julian’s mother Joan lives in United’s Fish Creek community and is part of the community’s unique United Minds service.

“I got the idea for this event driving back to Calgary from Ontario. When our kids started university last fall my daughter headed west to B.C. with my wife, and my son and I went east to Ontario. My son and I drove out together and that was lots of fun, and his excitement was contagious. During the long hours behind the wheel over three days on my way home, the ideas for this event started to come together in my head. Could I ride my bike from Calgary to the Compugen offices in Richmond Hill, Ontario?”

Julian works for Compugen, one of Canada’s largest IT service providers. Compugen is supporting and sponsoring the ride, which begins June 28.

“My brother and I have been involved in our mother Joan’s journey with dementia for quite some time. Her cognitive decline became noticeable in the years that followed our father’s passing, nearly 20 years ago. We respected and advocated for her independence for as long as we could and she was very well supported by friends, family, and a new partner. Her cognitive decline was slow but relentless and our role in her life became more and more prevalent in the years that followed. 

In 2018 it became quite apparent that it was time for my brother and me to get our mother the support that she needed in the form of an assisted living community.  We really wanted to find the right kind of place that would support her cognitive challenges and at the same time afford her the kind of care that met the important priorities we had set out and discussed – her dignity and her quality of life – as she continued on her journey with dementia.”

Julian and his brother toured several communities that offered dementia care services and settled in United’s Fish Creek community. “It was clear right away that it was the right place for our mother. From the inclusive approach of integrating memory care residents into the mainstream of the community to the United Minds memory care programming to the client and family-centred care focus – we felt very strongly that this was the community for our mother, Joan. The choice was made and we helped our mother move into her new home in July of 2018.”

To donate, read more about Julian’s journey, and follow him on his trip, click here.

Photos courtesy of Julian Galley and United Active Living. Videos by Sherana Productions.

Speak with one of our active living advisors about life in a United community. They can arrange tours of our Garrison Green and Fish Creek communities. If you know a friend or family member who could benefit from living in a United community, send them a link to our website or blog, or arrange a future visit. We are happy to help!