September 12, 2025
Coreen Gamblin, left, her mother Barb and their dog Cindy Lou share a happy moment. Gamblin says the Adult Day Program brought her mom joy and provided her with much-needed support as a caregiver. Supplied.
Story by Lisa Laferriere
LAC LA BICHE — Caring for a loved one with dementia can feel overwhelming, but it can also be a journey of love and resilience.
For Lac La Biche resident Coreen Gamblin, discovering the Adult Day Program at the William J. Cadzow – Lac La Biche Healthcare Centre gave both her and her mother, Barb, the care, connection and support they needed during a challenging time in their lives.
In April 2024, Gamblin went to visit her mother. She says she was surprised at how her mother’s life and mental well-being had changed since the last time she had seen her.
“I knew she had some memory loss, but I didn’t realize how serious it had become until I visited,” says Gamblin. “She simply could not care for herself anymore.”
Gamblin made the difficult decision to move her mother and her beloved dog, Cindy Lou, from Lacombe to her own home in Lac La Biche, more than four hours away.
Over the next several months, she says her mother’s condition quickly worsened.
Though they still found ways to connect through some of their favourite activities — such as walking Cindy Lou, going for ice cream and looking at pictures — sleepless nights, confusion and aggression also became quite frequent.
“I didn’t know much about Alzheimer’s or dementia at the time. I had no idea how relentless it could be,” Gamblin recalls. “It was scary for both of us.”
Gamblin adds that she had support from other family members, however by October, the challenges of being her mother’s main caregiver had reached a crisis point.
With guidance from her family doctor, pharmacist and Home and Community Care, Gamblin was introduced to the Lac La Biche Adult Day Program.
At first, she felt reluctant.
“I couldn’t help but feel guilty, like I should be able to do it on my own. But I knew deep down that I couldn’t,” she says.
“I’ll never forget the first day Mom went — I went home and slept. I was completely exhausted. The program gave me the chance to breathe again, and I was so thankful for that.”
The Adult Day Program, offered three days a week, provides safe, structured care for adults with health conditions, including dementia. Participants enjoy meals, crafts and social activities, while caregivers receive valuable time for rest, errands or self-care
Gamblin says her mother enjoyed attending it.
“She would come home with crafts she had made, and I could tell she liked the visiting and the food. Even though she didn’t always remember, I could see she felt proud and was happy with her time and activities there.”
For Gamblin, the compassion of staff members made all the difference. Therapy assistant Charlene Gladue and health care aide Muriel Cardinal work closely in the program with families to support both clients and caregivers.
“We want caregivers to know they’re not alone,” Cardinal says. Gladue adds: “It means so much to know that what we do is helping families. If you’re a caregiver who’s struggling, we want you to know there is support out there for you.”
Gamblin says that simple gestures, like greeting her mother by name each morning, brought much comfort during a difficult time. “They treated her with dignity and respect, and they were always kind to me as well. That meant everything.”
In January 2025, Gamblin’s mother moved into a Continuing Care Home Type A (formerly known as long-term care). She believes she could not have managed her final months at home without the Adult Day Program.
“It gave Mom joy, and it gave me the strength to keep going,” she says. “I’m so grateful for the program, and for the two wonderful ladies who helped us through those times.”
Adult Day Programs, like the one in Lac La Biche, are available in communities across Alberta.
Clients or their families interested in learning more about Adult Day Programs can contact the Continuing Care Access team at 1-855-371-4122 or speak to their healthcare provider. Clients who are currently receiving services from Home and Community Care can also ask their case manager for information about Adult Day Programs. Learn more at Assisted Living Alberta.
