With Saturday, Sept. 21 being World Alzheimer’s Day, researchers at the College of New Caledonia (CNC) have developed an online guide to help north-central BC residents caring for someone with dementia.
About 750,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, a number projected to more than double by 2050.
In Northern BC, unique challenges exist compared to urban areas, particularly regarding timely diagnosis and access to care, say the researchers. So CNC has initiated a dementia guidance project aimed at addressing these local issues.
Dr. Dinesh Ramoo, a psychology instructor and research lead at CNC, presented findings from this project at the Canadian Psychological Association’s annual convention in Ottawa last June.
Supported by funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Dementia Strategic Fund and in collaboration with the Alzheimer Society BC, CNC's Applied Research and Innovation department engaged with communities in north-central BC to examine local needs and concerns around dementia awareness and care.
Ramoo, along with research associate Salima Somani and a team of student research assistants, consulted with caregivers, healthcare providers and post-secondary students in rural and remote regions, as well as ethnic minorities and Indigenous populations.
The project included eight dementia awareness workshops.
Key contributors to the research included Dr. Tamara Chambers-Richards, dean of the CNC School of Health Sciences; Troy Morin, associate dean of the CNC School of Human Services, and Corinne George, regional principal of the CNC Burns Lake campus.
“It’s important for CNC that our research projects directly benefit the communities we serve. Our researchers collaborate with a wide range of partners in both the public and private sectors to address social issues,” said Chambers-Richards. “We also engage student researchers so they can apply their skills beyond the classroom to help local causes.”
Cindy Heitman, president of CNC, emphasized the significance of the research for educating new healthcare professionals. “This work informs the training we provide, enabling professionals to offer appropriate, person-centred care to individuals living with dementia," she said.
The culmination of their research is an online guide titled Mind the Gap: Dementia Guidance for the North. This resource outlines physical, psychological, social, and environmental lifestyle choices aimed at delaying the onset or preventing dementia, specifically for regional and Indigenous populations.
Patients in rural and Indigenous communities often face isolation and vulnerability due to a shortage of local healthcare providers, nearby family members, and adequate transportation, the study notes, adding this lack of resources can delay diagnosis and care.
All materials and resources developed through the project are available to educators and the public at pressbooks.bccampus.ca/dementiaguidelines/chapter/dementia-guidelines-for-northern-bc/
The research team is seeking small grants to sustain dementia awareness sessions across Northcentral B.C., aiming to engage high school students and young adults.
