Caring Spaces receives support from the Public Health Agency of Canada
A new initiative by the McGill Dementia Education Program will provide in-person support at four clinical settings in Montreal
The Public Health Agency of Canada has announced that Caring Spaces: Bridging academia and community to support people living with dementia and care partners, is one of the six community-based initiatives that will benefit from funding as part of the Dementia Community Investment program.
This project is a collaboration between the McGill University Dementia Education Program, under the academic leadership of Dr. José A. Morais, principal investigator at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, and four clinical sites, including geriatric clinics at the Jewish General Hospital, the Montreal General Hospital, and Saint-Mary’s Hospital Centre as well as the McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging.
The goal of Caring Spaces is to provide both in-person and online support to people living with dementia and caregivers, particularly those in underserved populations. It offers educational resources and activities aimed at improving access to information and helping families navigate health care and community services immediately following a dementia diagnosis. It focuses on supporting caregivers, providing short-term counseling, and offering activities for people living with dementia, as well as hosting public education events.
The program targets traditionally underserved groups, including those diagnosed with young-onset dementia and racially and linguistically diverse populations in Montreal, operating in four clinical settings, serving multicultural, anglophone and francophone communities.
The expected outcomes include better navigation of health care resources, improved quality of life for both caregivers and people living with dementia, and enhanced skills for future health care professionals.
“As the founder of the McGill University Dementia Education Program, Caring Spaces has been a long-time dream rooted in my belief that no family should feel alone in the days following a dementia diagnosis,” expressed Claire Webster. “I am deeply grateful to the Public Health Agency of Canada for this support, which brings to life a vision many years in the making. Caring Spaces reflects what is possible when academic leadership, clinical expertise, and community partnerships come together to improve the post-diagnosis journey for people living with dementia and their care partners.”
Caring Spaces services will be offered to informal caregivers of patients at the four different clinical sites in Montreal as the project rolls out over the next four years. It will include a research component to better understanding the needs of caregivers in order to create a scalable roadmap that can be replicated by other organizations.
Any inquiries should be directed to [email protected]
Source: McGill University