Caring Conversations

Caring Conversations is an online forum for care partners of people living with dementia to learn from experts, share concerns and ask questions.

Join a conversation with experienced moderators on topics that are important to caregivers. After a short educational presentation by the hosts, there will be an opportunity to share your own concerns and ask questions.

The Caring Conversations webinar platform will permit people to participate online and by telephone. When you register, you will be provided with a link to join online, and a phone number if you prefer to call in. You will need to register online to receive the link and call-in number.

Details regarding our next Caring Conversation: 

Topic: Sexuality and dementia (French presentation)

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. E.D.T

Our next Caring Conversation will take place in FRENCH and will be moderated by Carmen Desjardins, B.Sc. Inf.

Carmen Desjardins will discuss sexual behaviour and how this may present in a person who is living with dementia. With compassion and understanding, she will shed light on why certain behaviours may occur and provide tips for when and how to intervene and when to seek assistance.

Click here to register for our next Caring Conversation on October 21, 2026.

Please note that this episode will take place in French. An English Caring Conversation on the topic of Dementia and Inappropriate Sexual Behaviour with Lucy Barylak and Joanne Besner took place in October 2023 and the recording can be viewed on here, on the McGill YouTube Channel.

Meet our moderators for the English sessions

Lucy Barylak, MSW, is a social gerontology consultant for the CIUSSS-West-Central Montreal and a graduate of the McGill University School of Social Work, where she is also a liaison supervisor. Ms. Barylak has developed evidence-based training for seniors and caregivers, and she lectures in the field of social gerontology and knowledge transfer. She facilitates “Dear Lucy,” an online caregiver support show funded by the WellMed Foundation in the U.S. She was the founder and long-standing manager of the Caregiver Support Centre at the CLSC Rene-Cassin, a multi-service respite centre for family and informal caregivers. Ms. Barylak received the Queen’s Jubilee Award for her role in developing a national coalition to support caregivers across Canada.

Joanne Besner, BSW, MBA, ACC, received her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Business Administration from McGill University, and her Professional Coaching designation from the John Molson Executive Centre at Concordia University. Her 35-year career in Quebec community healthcare spans many roles including frontline social work, clinical supervisor, manager, researcher, and trainer. As an International Coaching Federation certified coach specializing in Positive Intelligence and Mental Fitness, Ms. Besner coaches and facilitates workshops and webinars for social service professionals, managers, caregivers, and health and social service organizations, as well as the McGill University School of Social Work, where she is also a field education supervisor. 

Meet our moderator for the French sessions

Carmen Desjardins, BSc(N), is the Manager of the Memory and Cognitive Health Clinic, the Moe Levin Centre, and the Dementia with Psychiatric Comorbidity Program at Santé Québec Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montréal – Universitaire.

She has served on committees as an expert advisor for the Ministry of Health and Social Services and for the Centre of Excellence on Longevity. Carmen participated in the implementation of the Alzheimer's Plan for her sector and in the establishment of the outpatient BPSD (behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia) team for Santé Québec.

Watch past episodes

Caring Conversations is supported by the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation