The New Brunswick government presented a new plan Thursday to address dementia and Alzheimer’s in the province.
The three-year strategy and action plan is intended to reduce risk, improve early diagnosis and ensure co-ordinated, compassionate care for New Brunswickers living with dementia and their care partners.
“Today, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia touch the lives of thousands of New Brunswickers, and as our population ages, that number will only grow,” said Seniors Minister Lyne Chantal Boudreau in the introduction to the new strategy. “We need to act now to ensure that no one faces this journey alone.”
The strategy was developed by the Department of Health, in partnership with the Department of Social Development, Vitalité Health Network, Horizon Health Network and the Extra-Mural Program/Ambulance New Brunswick.
The current state of dementia care and services in the province was examined. Through research, analysis and consultation with more than 1,700 interested parties, including people living with dementia and their care partners, a desired future state was developed.
“We committed to working with communities to develop and implement a plan that better supports those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia,” said Premier Susan Holt in a press release. “This work is key to building a system of care that is more responsive, equitable and aligned with the real needs of New Brunswickers.”
The strategy focuses on five areas: risk reduction, public education and awareness, support for people living with dementia and their care partners, a trained and supported workforce, and timely diagnosis and care delivery.
It also includes 14 priority actions:
- Brain health promotion and dementia risk reduction
- Dementia-friendly communities
- Public awareness campaigns
- Navigation and care co-ordination
- Care partner supports and education
- Care partner respite
- Identification of financial supports
- Self-management approaches
- Dementia-specific continuing education programs
- Timely diagnosis
- Behavioural supports
- Palliative and end-of-life care
- Dementia population monitoring
- Research
“Dementia is complex and there’s no single answer,” said Health Minister John Dornan in a release. “This plan is a starting point.”
Dornan said the plan will continue to evolve so health-care and social-care systems continue to meet the needs of people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s and those who care for them.
Implementation of the strategy will be the responsibility of government departments, not-for-profit organizations, professional associations, the research community and patient partners, with oversight from the Department of Health.
The Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick was granted $1 million to enhance its programs and services in support of the strategy’s implementation.
The society’s executive director, Chandra MacBean, said the work is important because it starts with people and their experiences, voices, and goals.
“This investment allows us to translate strategy into meaningful, on-the-ground support that will improve access, strengthen well-being and create more responsive services for the individuals and families we serve,” MacBean said in a release.
