After participating in a City-run pilot project exploring dementia-inclusive golf, Joan and Dave Drader are now enthusiastic regulars in the established Golf with Dementia program. Their joy and laughter light up the course, where cheers echo as they sink putts and support one another. When Dave was diagnosed with dementia, the Draders looked for ways to stay active and socially connected. Golf with Dementia, a recreation program offered by The City of Calgary, provides exactly what they need. It’s part of a broader commitment to making Calgary a welcoming and vibrant place to live for everyone, including those living with dementia and their care partners.
“My husband doesn’t remember that we golfed every Tuesday, but once he’s here, he loves
it,” Joan shares. “Even four hours after we leave, he’s still talking about golf.”While Dave plays alongside a group of participants and City staff, Joan also golfs with a group of friends. Many of the women in her group also have partners navigating life with dementia. The program gives them time and space to connect with others who share similar experiences.
That sense of connection is at the heart of the program. Whether it’s a participant teaching staff how to dance at the tee box or a wave of laughter rolling across the green, the program is as much about community and joy as it is about golf.
Bev Hansen, another care partner, says the program helps her partner Craig feel more like himself again. “It’s night and day, his attitude,” Bev explains. “He’s like a whole new person when we get him out here.”
When Craig recently hit the green on his first shot, City staff celebrate the moment by adding his photo to the “I’m Celebrating…” wall at McCall Lake Golf Course. It serves as a reminder of the milestones participants can achieve through the program.
Led by staff like Jenna Jepson, a Health & Wellness Facilitator and expert in dementia-friendly recreation, the program builds a community where everyone can thrive. “I can confidently say this program is not just important, it is essential for people living with dementia and in particular men living with dementia,” Jenna highlights . “Traditional programs offered for men living with dementia often do not reflect their interests, identities or needs." She adds, “care partners have an option of golfing too, which creates new relationships and support networks for them.”
To keep the program running year-round, The City partners with Screen Golf Inc., a local screen golf simulator business that provides participants with a warm, accessible space to continue through the fall and winter. That consistent connection has been a lifeline for many. “We need that consistency,” Bev says. “It makes a real difference.”
Programs like this reflect the commitments outlined in GamePLAN: reducing barriers to recreation, expanding recreation opportunities and making smart investments to meeting growing demand. Through thoughtful public investment, strong community partnerships and prioritizing inclusion, we’re building a city that balances opportunity with quality of life — a place where everyone can feel at home.
Recreation Program Specialist, Gennie Liu, says that there’s a growing need for more recreation opportunities for people living with dementia. “That’s why we’re excited to introduce new dementia-friendly programs this fall like pickleball, skating and yoga,” Gennie adds. “These activities are all about staying active, having fun and creating meaningful moments for both participants and their caregivers.”
Together, we’re creating a city that’s dynamic, welcoming and ready for generations to come. To learn more about our programs for people living with dementia, visit calgary.ca/dementiaprograms.
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