A new project by the University of Alberta Hospital Foundation will look to improve dementia treatment in Alberta.
University of Alberta researchers are teaming up with the University Hospital Foundation and patient groups to create a simpler care pathway for people living with dementia so they can get an earlier diagnosis, start treatment sooner and slow progression of the disease.
“Early recognition and detection of symptoms allows you to make lifestyle changes and take prescribed treatments that might delay the progression or deal with underlying risk factors,” said principal investigator Adrian Wagg, professor of geriatric medicine.
The team has been granted $1 million by the Government of Alberta’s Primary Care Innovation Fund and additional ongoing philanthropic funding from the University Hospital Foundation to complete their project over four years.
“Investing in dementia care is not just about improving health outcomes — it’s also about providing hope, preserving dignity, supporting families and building a compassionate future for aging Albertans. This project has the potential to do that, and that’s why we’re providing critical ongoing funding,” said Jodi Abbott, president and CEO of the University Hospital Foundation in a statement.
The team will carry out their projects with the Kaye Edmonton Clinic in Edmonton and the McLeod River Primary Care Network, which has offices in Whitecourt, Edson, Mayerthorpe and Fox Creek.
The project will work with patient groups such as the Alzheimer Society to better understand how patients are currently getting diagnosed and create an ideal pathway that will eventually include registered nurses as navigators for both patients and their families.
It’s estimated that nearly 800,000 people in Canada live with dementia, and that number will grow to a million by 2030, according to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
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