Ashley Sharma - Abbotsford Honouree
2026 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's, presented by Go Auto
Ashley Sharma grew up in a close-knit South Asian family in Abbotsford, where her grandmother – her Nanni –was at the centre of daily life. When her Nanni began showing confusion and frustration, Ashley stepped into a caregiving role while balancing work and studies.
“Sometimes it feels like I’m living in two worlds,” she says.
Ashley first noticed her Nanni was changing when a small but confusing moment caught her attention. Her Nanni had brought home several empty juice bottles from Subway.
“I remember thinking it was weird, but I brushed it off,” Ashley says.
That moment was one of the first signs of dementia, the beginning of a journey that would reshape Ashley’s life and her role in the family. Nanni had always been at the centre of it all as the storyteller, the problem-solver and the person everyone turned to for guidance.
“If something was wrong, you went to Nanni,” Ashley says. “She just had that strength about her.”
But when her Nanni began showing confusion and frustration, Ashley found it difficult to speak up. In their household, even as one of the eldest grandchildren who was in university and working, her opinion often didn’t carry weight.
“The adults would hush any concerns,” she says. “We didn’t talk about dementia.”
The family’s hesitancy came from fear. Ashley’s grandfather had experienced racism and mistreatment in hospitals when he first immigrated to Canada. The trauma lingered and taking her Nanni to a doctor felt impossible. When her Nanni was hospitalized in 2020 after losing feeling on one side of her body, the family had no choice but to seek medical care. Doctors confirmed she had dementia and significant aphasia.
That diagnosis shifted Ashley into a role she never expected: a young caregiver navigating complex health and cultural dynamics.
“My friends are starting new jobs or going out,” Ashley says. “I’m home making sure my Nanni is okay.”
Ashley’s caregiving is shared with family, but her responsibilities include managing routines, helping with medications and providing comfort. Even during hospital stays, she finds small moments of connection reading beside her Nanni or playing her favourite YouTube shows at her bedside.
Ashley has learned to balance care for her Nanni with care for herself. She leans on her friends, reads and attends therapy. She also credits the Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon’s caregiver support group for helping her navigate the challenges of being a young caregiver.
“The support group is amazing,” she says. “It helps to know I’m not alone. Hearing from others in similar situations and learning strategies has made me feel stronger and less isolated.”
Her Nanni has taught her lessons in resilience and unconditional love.
“Life can be so hard and there’s resiliency in our heritage and culture,” Ashley says. “Being a caregiver has given me the chance to practise unconditional love. I can’t ask anything from my Nanni, but I can love her regardless.”
Ashley hopes to encourage others, especially those within the South Asian community, to reach out for help and break the stigma around dementia.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” she says. “Be curious about your loved one’s life and experiences. Even if their abilities change, they’re still the same person.”
She emphasizes the importance of community, noting support doesn’t have to be formal – even a phone call or a visit can make a difference for both the person living with dementia and their caregivers.
Through her experience, Ashley has learned the value of patience, curiosity and connection across generations.
“We are capable of hard things and it’s for the people who are most vulnerable. If I can make any difference in my Nanni’s life, I’ve done what I needed to do.”
Ashley hopes sharing her story encourages young caregivers and their families to reach out for support.
“You are still a grandchild,” she says. “Own that role and don’t forget to care for yourself along the way.”
Join Ashley on Sunday, May 31 for the IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's, presented by Go Auto, in Abbotsford.