Denise Bedard, PhD
Founder & Principal, Excellence in Aging Research, Rehabilitation, Resources (Triple R)
Denise is a lifelong advocate for people, community, and compassionate systems of care. She grew up in a small rural town and began her working life as a housekeeper in long-term care, an experience that shaped her understanding of dignity, humility, and the importance of every caregiving role.
With over 45 years of service in long-term care, Denise’s career spans frontline service, leadership, executive roles, and education. She has worked alongside residents, families, caregivers, and organizations during some of the most vulnerable and complex moments of their lives, gaining a deep appreciation for both the strengths and the gaps within care systems.
After decades of practice and leadership, Denise chose to return to academia not to seek credentials, but to make meaning of lived experience. She is currently completing her PhD, with academic work grounded in the emotional labour of caregiving, the invisible weight of leadership, and the spaces where individuals and families navigating cognitive change and dementia often go without adequate support.
Today, through DBConsulting, Denise supports caregivers and families in the community, particularly those navigating mild cognitive impairment and early to moderate dementia. Her work focuses on clarity, compassion, and ensuring that people do not feel alone during transitions that are often poorly understood and under-supported.
Denise’s approach bridges practice, policy, and lived experience. She believes that how we communicate matters just as much as what we know, and that dignity, voice, and humanity must remain central to care, leadership, and research. Her current work reflects a commitment to contributing thoughtfully, intentionally, and ethically, honouring the past while shaping a more humane future.
Dr. Azar Varahra
Research Collaborator& Strengthen Coach
Dr. Azar Varahra contributes expertise in aging, dementia, ethics, and social systems, strengthening Triple R’s research foundation and evidence-informed approach.
Wanda Hladysh, MBA HA, BScN, RN
Clinical & Practice Advisor
Wanda Hladysh brings extensive clinical and quality-focused experience in senior care, grounding Triple R’s work in real-world practice and person-directed care.