Dr. Debra Morgan (PhD) is the Chair of Rural Health Delivery at the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA)

Morgan co-authors Canadian dementia care assessment

The Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) six-person expert panel recommended seven priorities in developing the national dementia strategy.

The CoM’s Dr. Debra Morgan (PhD) is part of a panel that has developed a national dementia care assessment for the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS).

Morgan, Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture’s Chair of Rural Health Delivery, is part of a six-member multidisciplinary expert panel that wrote the report, released by the CAHS today, outlining recommendations for a national strategy on dementia.

The report highlights the need for improved quality of life and access to health and social care for patients with dementia and their caregivers.

It recommends that seven priorities are considered in the strategy’s development:

  1. Engaging persons living with dementia
  2. Prevention, awareness and living well with dementia
  3. Improving health and social care for persons living with dementia
  4. Education and support for caregivers
  5. Building and supporting the health and social care workforce
  6. Creating and translating knowledge on dementia
  7. Supporting research and innovation in all stages of dementia

The report highlighted the need for improved support for caregivers, investment in dementia research, as well as areas related to research in health systems, health services and population health.

The panel used evidence and best practices in recommending the implementation of dementia strategies. They noted that strong leadership, long-term commitment, standards of care and continuous improvement are needed when implementing these strategies.

Read more about the assessment and recommendations for a national strategy on dementia.