Paramedics at the Medavie Health Services (MHS) West – Central Alberta location in Innisfail, Ponoka, Red Deer IFT, Wetaskiwin, and soon Calgary IFT are carrying a new tool to their ambulances — and it’s not a piece of medical equipment. It’s a small kit filled with simple items like fidget toys, coloring books, puzzles and picture cards, all designed to support patients living with dementia.

The idea was born from a partnership with Wolf Creek Primary Care Network (PCN), which had been working to build a dementia friendly community in Innisfail. Local paramedics were invited to contribute, and what started as a small initiative quickly grew into a thoughtful addition to frontline care.

“Paramedics encounter patients living with dementia daily,” said Kenn Eglauer, MHS West Operations Manager. “It’s more common than many people realize, and those calls come with unique challenges. Loud noises, chaotic environments, and a barrage of questions can increase anxiety for patients with dementia, who may already struggle to communicate.”

The dementia kits — developed with guidance from Wolf Creek PCN and a resource list from the Alzheimer Society — provide a simple but powerful way to reduce that anxiety. The tools inside are designed to comfort, distract, and engage patients, offering a small moment of calm during what can often be an overwhelming experience.

And while the kits were developed with dementia in mind, paramedics are already finding them helpful for others as well — from children to psychiatric patients. “One patient was becoming restless during a transfer, but a fidget toy helped calm them. Another enjoyed a crossword, and it visibly reduced their anxiety,” said a paramedic. “We’re even joking about renaming them ‘Boredom Boxes’ or ‘Fidget Trunks’ because they’re helping in more ways than we expected.”

One paramedic involved in the initiative said the idea is also personal. “My mother has Alzheimer’s. We use similar items at home when she’s agitated or sad. They work — and I knew they could help others too.”

The dementia kits are a small example of how paramedics go beyond traditional emergency care to support the emotional and psychological well-being of their patients.

As Paramedic Services Week shines a spotlight on the profession, this initiative serves as a powerful reminder of the compassion and innovation paramedics bring to every call — not just to save lives, but to ease fear, offer comfort, and care deeply for those they serve.