Opposing politicians have criticisms for NDP dementia strategy
By Gillian Slade on December 29, 2017.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com @MHNGillianSlade A dementia strategy recently announced by Minister of Health Sarah Hoffman lacks key ingredients, say some opposing politicians. “At the very best it is a plan to make a plan,” said Greg Clark, caucus leader for the Alberta Party. Hoffman says the plan includes understanding the impact of dementia and working toward optimal brain health, support for caregivers and those living with dementia, timely recognition, diagnosis and clinical management and timely access to integrated and high-quality dementia care services. It calls for more rural specialist consultations, improved mental health supports and better transitions for those moving between different care settings. In 2016, more than 42,000 Albertans were diagnosed with dementia, making it crucial to raise awareness and ensure there is appropriate help for those affected, said Drew Barnes, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat. “We have a developing crisis on our hands, and Alberta is far behind other provinces,” said Clark. “Ontario alone has committed $100 million to their dementia strategy, plus $20 million for respite care, while Alberta hasn’t even begun to address it.” Although it did not announce any new funding for the dementia strategy the government has several programs it is already funding: — The Alzheimer’s Society’s First Link program: $1.95 million; — A mental health first aid for seniors training program on how to respond as mental health issues develop: $530,000; — A seniors health strategic clinical network that includes Health Link 811 with specially trained dementia nurses, eight community pilot programs that integrate exercise, arts and music in dementia care and appropriate use of antipsychotics program: $4.1 million. An appropriate dementia strategy needs measurable targets and outcomes, said Clark. Barnes agrees. “Without accountability I don’t think this program can reach its full potential,” said Barnes, noting there is also no time frame to measure the success of the strategy and its programs. The government’s strategy was “simply an announcement to give them a headline to make people think that they’re doing something,” said Clark. Clark believes the dementia strategy should have included a detailed report of the dementia care beds available across the province and the government’s plan to meet future need/demand. “This should be something published and readily available to all Albertans,” said Clark. Equally important are details of community supports available to allow people to stay in their own homes for as long as possible, said Clark. There also needs to be support for respite care. No resources or budget dollars were announced to go along with the strategy, said Clark. It is not only family physicians and staff in care homes that need to have some training in best care practices for dementia, said Barnes who would also like to see the Primary Care Networks handling more dementia care. 21
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