Dementia education for healthcare providers in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington

Education for healthcare providers

For healthcare providers who work with people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, here are some educational resources that may be helpful.

The Physician Education Website for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

Part of a multi-faceted Ontario education program to inform and promote practice change on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The program's comprehensive educational objectives cover: the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, the impact of dementia on the person, family and caregivers, an awareness of the importance of community resources and an interdisciplinary approach to care.

The Foundation for Medical Practice Education

The Foundation for Medical Practice Education (FMPE) is a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to the development, production, and evaluation of educational programs for community-based family medicine and general practitioners.

International Psychogeriatric Association

Includes a section on Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD).

Training for health care professionals in Ontario

U-First!

U-First! is a simple and affordable training program in dementia care for healthcare professionals. Based on the P.I.E.C.E.S.™ best practice methods, we teach you how to see the whole person behind the disease so you can understand the root of difficult behaviour. After completing six hours of training, you will receive a certificate in dementia care proving you have been trained in the highest standards as mandated by the province of Ontario. For more information about U-First!, visit http://u-first.ca/

Public Education Coordinators

Public Education Coordinators in Ontario’s Alzheimer Societies raise awareness about dementia and provide education, support services and volunteer training. To contact the Public Education Coordinator in your area, please call your local Alzheimer Society. Funding for these Public Education Coordinator positions initially came from the Ontario government as part of Ontario's Strategy for Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias. The funding for this position is now part of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care base funding.

The Alzheimer Society of Ontario supports Public Education Coordinators by

• Providing information and clarification about programs
• Publishing monthly newsletters to keep them connected and up-to-date with education information and research developments
• Offering opportunities for education and professional development.

Dementia Studies community college program

The Alzheimer Society of Ontario supports the Dementia Studies/Working with Dementia Clients program, a comprehensive training program in dementia care at many community colleges across Ontario. If you are currently providing care, or want to start a career providing care for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in a health-care setting, this course is a good place to start. The program will help you learn or improve existing skills in delivering the specialized care required by people with dementia. Also, family members, volunteers or interested community members may complete this program to learn more about dementia and how to provide care to a person living with the disease.

Ensuring quality of care

Without standards, it's hard to measure progress and success. That's the idea behind the Alzheimer Society of Ontario's Ensuring Quality Standards Project, a five-year initiative, funded by an Ontario Trillium grant.

Read Putting Our Best Foot Forward (PDF), a report that details how the project helped Ontario’s Alzheimer Societies improve quality by determining areas that needed most improvement and by developing useful resources. Contact education@alzheimeront.org, to get your questions answered or obtain a print copy.

Helpful links

The following websites may be helpful if you're looking for more information on education or research-related issues.

• Alzheimer's Knowledge Exchange

Please note that the Alzheimer Society of Ontario is not able to guarantee the accuracy of the information on these websites, or endorse products or services offered through them.

Referrals

Physicians, allied health professionals, and community care partners can make referrals, with the family's permission directly to the Alzheimer Society to link their patients/clients to a community of support and education. This can ensure that those newly diagnosed and their families are given support early in the disease process. Support continues throughout the course of the disease. This connection can prevent crisis situations and reduce care partner burnout and premature long-term care placement.

If you are interested in partnering with the society to be able to send referrals, please contact us at 613-544-3078. If already have an established relationship with us, simply fax or email a Referral Form to us at 613-544-3078 or reception@alzking.com