The Liberal government in New Brunswick has launched a three-year strategy and action plan for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
The plan looks to reduce risk, improve early diagnosis and ensure co-ordinated, compassionate care for New Brunswickers, especially for those living with dementia and the individuals who care for them.
“This plan is about making sure no one travels the dementia journey alone,” said Premier Susan Holt, in a release issued on Thursday. “That’s why we worked directly with more than 1,700 New Brunswickers – people with lived experience, care partners, advocates and community partners – to shape this strategy.”
The Department of Health and Social Development said people involved in the process and consultation were asked to share their insight and ideas to improve quality of life for those in New Brunswick living with dementia.
Minister responsible for seniors Lyne Chantal Boudreau said the experiences of those with lived experience guided the strategy.
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, according to the release.
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
Health Minister John Dornan said dementia is complex and there is no one single plan toward solutions on helping New Brunswickers.
“This plan is a starting point. We will keep building on it to make sure our health- and social-care systems evolve to meet the needs of people living with dementia and the people who care for them,” he said in the release.
The release said 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.
DOH said the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick has been granted $1 million to enhance programs and services in support of the strategy.
“We are deeply grateful for the government’s investment in our organization as a key implementation partner,” said Chandra MacBean, the society’s executive director, in the release.
More information on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is available online.
