Advancing System Responses to Seniors with Dementia and other Mental Health Problems or Co-Morbid Physical Illness and Frail Health

As the population of British Columbia continues to age, an increasingly large proportion is anticipated to require services and supports as a result of various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and other mental health problems that affect the elderly.

While dementia is usually recognized in the later stages of the illness, research and best practices have demonstrated that early intervention strategies delay the onset of dementia or slow its progression, improving the quality of life for older British Columbians and their families. Comprehensive, integrated services across the continuum of care that address individual unmet needs over the course of the disease are fundamental to optimal health outcomes not only for patients with dementia, but also for their families and caregivers.

The Ministry of Health, health authorities and leading experts worked in partnership to develop a Provincial Service Framework for Dementia based on evidence-based best practices, as well as patient and provider experiences, to improve service delivery across provider levels and throughout the course of the disease.

CARMHA provided applied research activities to support the development of a Framework that supported health authorities in the development and implementation of dementia strategies.

Partners:

BC Ministry of Health

Funding:

BC Ministry of Health

Contact Info:

Please contact CARMHA for more information

2007