Strategy and action plan for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

News Release

Health
Social Development
Office of the Premier

Strategy and action plan for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

08 January 2026

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The government has unveiled a three-year strategy and action plan for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

This is intended to reduce risk, improve early diagnosis and ensure co-ordinated, compassionate care for New Brunswickers living with dementia and their care partners.

“This plan is about making sure no one travels the dementia journey alone,” said Premier Susan Holt. “That’s why we worked directly with more than 1,700 New Brunswickers – people with lived experience, care partners, advocates and community partners – to shape this strategy. We committed to working with communities to develop and implement a plan that better supports those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and this work is key to building a system of care that is more responsive, equitable and aligned with the real needs of New Brunswickers.”

People involved in the strategy’s consultation process were asked to share insights about the current system and ideas to improve care and quality of life for those living with dementia.

“The voices of New Brunswickers shaped this strategy,” said Lyne Chantal Boudreau, minister responsible for seniors. “We listened to people living with dementia, their families and health-care professionals. Their experiences guided us to focus on what matters most: better awareness, earlier diagnosis and stronger supports.”

The strategy focuses on five areas: risk reduction, public education and awareness, support for people living with dementia and their care partners, a trained and supported workforce, and timely diagnosis and care delivery.

It also includes 14 priority actions:

· brain health promotion and dementia risk reduction

· dementia-friendly communities

· public awareness campaigns

· navigation and care co-ordination

· care partner supports and education

· care partner respite

· identification of financial supports

· self-management approaches

· dementia-specific continuing education programs

· timely diagnosis

· behavioural supports

· palliative and end-of-life care

· dementia population monitoring

· research

“Dementia is complex, and there’s no single answer,” said Health Minister John Dornan. “This plan is a starting point. We will keep building on it to make sure our health- and social-care systems evolve to meet the needs of people living with dementia and the people who care for them.”

Implementing the strategy and action plan will be a shared responsibility of government departments, not-for-profit organizations, professional associations, the research community and patient partners, with oversight from the Department of Health.

The Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick has been granted $1 million to enhance its programs and services in support of the strategy’s implementation.

“We are deeply grateful for the government’s investment in our organization as a key implementation partner,” said Chandra MacBean, the society’s executive director. “This work is important because it starts with people: their experiences, their voices and their goals. This investment allows us to translate strategy into meaningful, on-the-ground support that will improve access, strengthen well-being and create more responsive services for the individuals and families we serve. We are excited to work alongside communities to turn this vision into real, lasting impact for the individuals and families we serve.”

Senior care was one of six priority areas outlined in the provincial health plan, Caring for New Brunswick: Putting People at the Heart of Healthcare. The strategy and action plan for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia supports the health plan’s goal to ensure seniors have the support and resources to achieve the best possible health outcomes to age in place.

More information on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is available online.

08-01-26