Karen Myers Barnett

Karen Myers Barnett (she/her) currently resides in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada and has had an extensive career as a social service worker. Karen studied social work at Ryerson University and community outreach & development at Sheridan College and is an anti-oppressive practitioner. She previously worked in a group home, Peel Memorial as a psychiatric orderly and more recently with homeless men at Seaton House, where she helped to create a recreation program for all residents including those part of the long-term care and annex managed alcohol program. This program focused on wellness through engagement in art-music-horticulture therapies as well as community engagement and sport, and was offered to homeless men, many with cognitive challenges including dementia. 

Karen's mother, Celestine, was diagnosed with dementia in 2013 but was symptomatic for several years, and is cared for at home by Karen’s father. Karen helps to support her father in caregiving and has become an advocate for people with dementia. She joined the CCNA’s Engagement of People with Lived Experience of Dementia in June 2020 to ensure vibrant early on-set folks and visible minorities are represented. In her spare time, Karen enjoys supporting her children in their sports which include competitive cheerleading, soccer, hockey and track & field.