Education Initiatives for Alzheimer Disease

A new education initiative will soon provide physicians and other health care professionals access to current information and community resources on Alzheimer Disease and other dementias.

"By enhancing health care professionals' knowledge on Alzheimer Disease and other dementias, it is our hope that we can strengthen the care for individuals and provide better support for their families," said Health Minister Jamie Muir.

A number of advances in the diagnosis and treatments for Alzheimer Disease and other dementias have been made. Programming, which includes reviewing current literature and the most up-to-date practises on assessment and diagnosis, will help to address the requirements for a co-ordinated, continuing education/training program for health professionals across the province.

"Early diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease and other dementias provides individuals and their families with an opportunity to better understand what to expect, and interventions that can be introduced to maximize the person's quality of life," said Kathryn Garden, executive director of the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia.

Together, the Department of Health and the Alzheimer Society are contributing more than $300,000 to the education initiative. The Department of Health will receive quarterly reports on the progress and provide support and advice to the Alzheimer Society as the initiative proceeds.

"Health professionals in acute care, continuing care, home care and private practice all should have access to training that focuses on the specialized needs of persons with Alzheimer Disease and other dementias," said Ms. Garden. "With the projected aging population and longer life expectancies, there is a greater need for access to trained geriatric and specialist expertise."

More than 300,000 Canadians over the age of 65 have Alzheimer Disease and other dementias; 11,000 of those people are Nova Scotians. By 2031, that number is expected to triple. The Alzheimer Society offers Help for Today and Hope for Tomorrow through education and support programs, advocacy and support of research.

kjd March 3, 2000 11:20 a..m.