Dementia-friendly program gets golfers back on green
Caddies offer guidance and encouragement to players who need help in city pilot project
KITCHENER — Dave Wastle is chatty while steering the golf cart around the course, but he’s quiet and focused on the green with a golf club in hand.
Wastle is a participant in a new City of Kitchener pilot project called Golf Fore Life, a golfing program designed for people with dementia. Each golfer is paired with a caddie who provides one-on-one support.
“It’s more personalized to each golfer’s needs, and they’ve really formed some great friendships,” said Bethany Pearce, supervisor for the city’s older adult services.
The free program kicked off in June — thanks to a provincial grant and support from Kitchener Golf — with a training session to give a boost to the skills and confidence of the participants.
Between six and eight golfers, most in the early stages of dementia, meet at the city-owned Rockway Golf Course on Tuesdays and Doon Valley on Thursdays.
Some days they get through nine holes, some days less. Keeping score isn’t a big priority.
“It’s just really to get out,” said Pearce, adding that the program also provides respite time for caregivers.
The caddies, either staff or volunteers, will offer encouragement or prompts, such as which club to use, to the golfers.
“They’re very independent,” Pearce said. “We’re just here if they need that support.”
Wastle, 65, said the program provides great incentive to get out, rather than just stay at home. He was diagnosed with early-onset dementia, and that strains both his memory and energy.
Wastle makes sure he stays physically and mentally active, and golf is good for both.
“It takes a lot of concentration for me,” he said.
Rick Martin is thankful his father Lloyd Martin, 89, can play the game he loves again.
“He had pretty much given up on golf, and now I can see he’s regained his confidence,” said Martin, whose father played golf for 60-plus years
But it was one of many things he had to give up when he developed dementia.
“He still wanted to play, but he was too slow and he got lost,” Martin said.
The program offers the support his father needs, while being a fun experience with no expectations.
“He looks forward to this,” said Martin. “I’ve been really impressed with it so far. It’s a great concept.”
The pilot will be evaluated by
the University of Waterloo.
Staff at the courses received customer service training specific to dementia, to ensure the golfers have a good experience from start to finish.
“This program has really been able to break down those assumptions and barriers,” Pearce said.