Professional Resources
The following resources have been identified as being helpful to support evidence-based care by professionals.
This document is a provincial initiative that has been developed to close identified barriers or gaps in care though evidenced based recommendations that are targeted for action by 4 levels of care: individuals with dementia and their caregivers, care providers, support systems and the health care environment.
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Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly – Recognition, Diagnosis and Management
Developed by the BC Ministry of Health Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee (GPAC). This guideline summarizes current recommendations for recognition, diagnosis and longitudinal management of cognitive impairment and dementia in the elderly.
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Additional Guidelines
If you are looking for additional guidelines relating to the 3 Ds, dementia, depression and delirium, the following may be of interest.
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The Phased Dementia Pathway, developed by Interior Health, is a web-based site that provides clinical practice recommendations for interdisciplinary health providers to address a full continuum of dementia care issues from brain health to end-of-life, across the health sectors (residential, community, acute). The recommendations are evidence-informed and address topics that have been identified as “clinical pinch-points” by people with cognitive impairment, their caregivers and interdisciplinary health providers. The recommendations are also intended for use by clinical educators to address provider orientation or continuing education needs and by managers and program planners for the purposes of identifying and planning dementia-related resources and supports for clinical practice.
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Medication Management
- See GPAC Guidelines – Recommendation 9 Pharmacotherapy
- Alzheimer's Drug Therapy Initiative - A new initiative started in Oct 2007 by the BC Ministry of Health to provide eligible BC residents with pharmacare coverage of cholinesterase inhibitors used in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and gathering evidence on the effectiveness of these medications.
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Caregiver Support
- See GPAC Guidelines – Recommendation 12 Caregiver Support
- There may be support groups or services In Your Community
- Alzheimer Society of B.C. – provides support groups for caregivers and those with early stage dementia. For information call 604.681.8651 in BC Lower Mainland, Toll–free: at 1.800.936.6033 or visit www.alzheimerbc.org.
- Dementia Helpline 604.681.8651 in the Lower Mainland or toll-free at 1.800.936.6033 for information or support.
- Dementia Journey – a website with information about locally available services and resources presented through stories.
- Caregivers Association of BC - www.caregiverbc.ca
- Caring and Learning Together - Direct caregivers to the Dementia Journey website or specifically to the Living well with Dementia - For Caregivers page of the site
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Functional Support
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Managing Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)
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Driving
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Residential Care
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End of Life
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Provincial Clinics that patients can be referred to
- Clinic for Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders: Referral to this clinic, which is located at University of British Columbia Hospital in Vancouver, is through a family doctor. Their web site has useful information about dementia and about the services and team connected with the clinic. This clinic is also a contact for current research trials in British Columbia. Tel: 604.822.7031
- The Brain Research Centre, a partnership between Vancouver Coastal Health, the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Instititute, and the Faculty of Medicine at University of British Columbia, located at University of British Columbia. Tel: 604.82 BRAIN (604.822.7246).
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Professional Organizations
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Other Support Materials