Accessing a Dementia Diagnosis in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotians are struggling to access a dementia diagnosis. We know this because we hear it every day through our one-on-one support and our education and client support programs. It was also a key takeaway from the consultations to develop Nova Scotia’s dementia strategy.  

A timely diagnosis means that clients are proactively supported in understanding dementia, planning for the future, and mitigating crises. Access to a prompt diagnosis is outlined as a federal priority in Canada’s dementia Strategy. We know that we can have the greatest impact on people with dementia and their care partners when they are referred through our First Link® program after a timely diagnosis (up to 11 months sooner than those who self-refer to our services).  

How did we get here? 

To know when to seek professional support, it’s important for the public to understand the 10 warning signs of dementia. When most people think of dementia,they think memory loss, but there are nine additional warning signs that many are not aware of. Additionally, although some memory loss is normal as we age, there are misconceptions that dementia is a normal part of aging. Another complication is that the stigma around dementia can delay a person’s likelihood of seeking care. 

While many people do not seek a diagnosis for these reasons, those who do seek answers for cognitive changes often experience a lack of resources and support. The family doctor crisis in Nova Scotia has lessened in recent years, and family doctors are being incentivized to practice in rural areas. As of July 2026, 5.3% of our population do not have a primary care provider. Although this is an improvementfrom 5 years ago, at which time 7% of our population did not have a family doctor,this means that nearly 60 000 Nova Scotians still rely on walk-in clinics, emergencyrooms, or virtual medical care, which are not always accessible options for seniors and people living with dementia.  

Importantly, although the family doctor crisis has eased, there are still barriers to accessing a diagnosis. This is because many primary care providers report feeling under-resourced and ill-equipped to diagnose and provide dementia care. In these instances, patients are typically referred to a specialist, such as a geriatrician, whose expertise is often not necessary for a standard presentation of symptoms. Relying on specialists for routine dementia diagnosis and care can result in significant wait times for people experiencing changes and seeking answers 

Wait times to be referred to a geriatrician can be lengthy, depending on where you live in the province. That is precious time where the person could have had access to medication, support, and resources. It’s time they could have spent with their care providers and support networks developing an advance care plan and improving their quality of life. 

Nova Scotians suspecting potential dementia deserve access to timely, accuratesupport. This issue will continue to get worse if we do not identify solutions. The Landmark Report Volume 1 (2022) showed us that the number of Nova Scotians living with dementia—estimated to be nearly 19 000 people as of 2026—could increase to nearly 30 000 people by 2050. We need to make changes in our current system to support future need. 

What are we going to do about it? 

Although change requires cooperation between healthcare institutions, government actors, other stakeholders, and not-for-profit organizations like the Alzheimer Society, we’re committed to providing support to the healthcare system through the Gray Initiative on Diagnosis. 

Over the past six years, this initiative has been a persistent, behind-the-scenes effort, in honour of one of our founding members, Dr. John Gray. Dr. Gray was behind the development of the memory clinic at the Veteran’s Memorial Hospital in 1987, and a mentor to many in the geriatric field across the country and beyond. 

The goal of this initiative is that all Nova Scotians, no matter their location, can access a timely, accurate diagnosis, tailored care plan, and connections to ongoing support. 

This initiative has inspired us to look to the experiences of our Alzheimer Society peers to learn how diagnosis has been better supported in other jurisdictions across Canada. As a result, we are advocating for the implementation of the MINT Memory Clinic model in Nova Scotia, which has experienced great success in other parts of Canada.  

The MINT model benefits people living with dementia: 
 
   • MINT provides the patient with a thorough assessment from a healthcare team  
   • MINT providers offer the patient a holistic care plan to assist with future planning 
   • The MINT model is proven to enhance the patient’s quality of life and delay the move from the community into a long-term care facility  

The MINT model also benefits the healthcare system: 
 
   • MINT training equips family doctors to diagnose and provide dementia care 
   • Empowering family doctors to provide dementia care reduces waitlists for specialists  
   • The MINT model is proven to result in substantial cost savings per patient  

We remain committed to collaborating with primary care providers and our many trusted referral partners across Nova Scotia  to explore solutions to improve access to a dementia diagnosis in this province.