Improving access to dementia care: Development and evaluation of a rural and remote memory clinic

Debra G. Morgan, Margaret Crossley, Andrew Kirk, Carl D'Arcy, Norma Stewart, Jay Biem, Dorothy Forbes, Sheri Harder, Jenny Basran, Vanina Dal Bello-Haas, Lesley McBain

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

The availability, accessibility and acceptability of services are critical factors in rural health service delivery. In Canada, the aging population and the consequent increase in prevalence of dementia challenge the ability of many rural communities to provide specialized dementia care. This paper describes the development, operation and evaluation of an interdisciplinary memory clinic designed to improve access to diagnosis and management of early stage dementia for older persons living in rural and remote areas in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. We describe the clinic structure, processes and clinical assessment, as well as the evaluation research design and instruments. Finally, we report the demographic characteristics and geographic distribution of individuals referred during the first three years.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)17-30
Number of pages14
JournalAging and Mental Health
Volume13
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2009

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Phychiatric Mental Health
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Evaluation/effectiveness
  • Rural
  • Screening and diagnosis
  • Service provision

Cite this