N.S. organization helping devise dementia care strategy for Maritimes

HALIFAX – A Nova Scotia group says a mental health care crisis is looming due to the aging population in the region, so it is working with governments to develop a dementia strategy for the Maritime provinces.

The Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia has been working for two years with federal and provincial levels of government on the plan.

“The reality is that we haven’t done a good job in terms of providing the right service at the right time, in the right ways” said Lloyd Brown, the organization’s executive director.

“We know that aging is the most significant risk factor for any of the dementias. We live in an aging society,” he said. “In fact, we live in a province…that has the oldest population in the land.”

A dementia strategy would be aimed at addressing many issues and gaps currently plaguing the system — education, supporting caregivers, early diagnoses and funding for research.

“We’ve got to take a look at how we support people who have a dementia and their caregivers,” said Brown.

On Wednesday, federal Health Minister Rona Ambrose will attend a groundbreaking summit on dementia in the United Kingdom. Canada is one of the few countries participating in the summit without a dementia plan.

On Tuesday, NDP MP Claude Gravelle underscored the need to develop one, saying it’s an issue that affects all Canadians.

“Wherever I go, I ask who has a family member or friend with dementia, or knows someone. Most people raise their hands,” Gravelle said during a press conference in Ottawa.

Ann West knows the reality of dementia all too well. Both her parents had dementia, and 15 years ago, her husband Fred was also diagnosed with the disorder.

“I devote my whole life to him, to taking care of him,” she said.

She’s now his primary caregiver — a job that never stops.

“What happens if tonight I have chest pains and have to go to the hospital in the ambulance? What do I do with Fred? There’s no strategy for that type of thing,” she said.