Identifying Primary Care Models of Dementia Care that Improve Quality of Life for People Living with Dementia and their Care Partners: An Environmental Scan

Abstract

Dementia is a growing concern in Canada, affecting peoples’ health and raising the cost of care. Between June and October 2019, we conducted an environmental scan to identify primary care models, strategies, and resources for dementia care from 11 pre-selected countries and assess their impact on quality-of-life measures. Search strategies included a rapid scoping review, grey literature search, and discussions with stakeholders. Eighteen primary care-based models of dementia care were identified. Common factors include team-based care, centralized care/case coordination, individual treatment plans, a stepped-care approach, and support for care partners. Five provinces had released a dementia strategy. Evidence of positive outcomes supported primary care-based models for dementia care, although only one model demonstrated evidence of impact on quality of life. Although these findings are encouraging, further research is needed to identify primary care-based models of dementia care that demonstrably improve quality of life for people living with dementia and their care partners.

Decision making under uncertainty in the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's Disease in primary care: A study protocol applying concepts from neuroeconomics

“…Strategies and interdisciplinary models of primary care to address the issue of timely diagnosis vary by province ( 7 – 9 ). Some of these models that can help to address the issue of timely diagnosis include MINT Memory Clinics and family health teams (ON) ( https://www.hqontario.ca/Quality-Improvement/Quality-Improvement-in-Action/ARTIC/ARTIC-Projects/Primary-Care-Collaborative-Memory-Clinics ), the Rural and Remote Memory Care Clinic (RRMC) in Saskatchewan ( https://cchsa-ccssma.usask.ca/ruraldementiacare/ ) ( 10 ), family medicine groups (QC), and Primary Care Networks (AB).…”

“…This study identified 18 different primary care-based models of dementia care for persons in the early and middle stages of dementia. However, despite 5 of Canada's provinces and territories having dementia strategies (British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec and Nova Scotia), only 2 primary care memory clinic models have been implemented in Canada ( 9 ). The Primary Care Collaborative Memory Clinics (PCCMC) service delivery model integrates interprofessional healthcare providers into primary care settings, and partners with community agencies to meet the multifaceted needs of the dementia population.…”