Niagara Residents Access More Timely Cognitive Assessments

St. Catharines, ON – Thanks to ongoing collaboration and innovative partnerships, residents of Niagara are now able to access cognitive assessments more quickly and efficiently. The Niagara Ontario Health Team – Équipe Santé Ontario (NOHT-ÉSON) has made significant strides in enhancing dementia care through improved system integration, with a focus on timely access to cognitive assessments and increased community resources.

“Our focus has been on integrating services and partnerships across the region,” said Sabrina Piluso, Executive Director of the NOHT-ÉSON. “By removing barriers and connecting people with the right care, we’re ensuring that Niagara residents have quicker access to the cognitive assessments they need, which is critical for early diagnosis and improved outcomes for people living with dementia.”

Collaboration increased after the NOHT-ÉSON identified dementia as a priority area in 2022 and established the Dementia Care Working Group. In 2022, Niagara residents faced a wait list of more than 400 days to access Niagara Health’s Specialized Geriatric Assessment program. Today, the wait time has been reduced to 142 days—a remarkable improvement facilitated by greater integration and resource sharing across health and social care organizations.

“The ability to receive timely assessments can significantly increase the quality of life for those living with dementia and their families,” said Teena Kindt, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region and Co-Lead of the Dementia Care Working Group.

“By providing faster access to cognitive assessments, individuals and their care partners are able to receive an earlier diagnosis, which opens the door to critical support, education, and resources. This collaborative approach is already showing results, and we’re excited to see its continued positive impact.”

Several key initiatives have contributed to this success. In February 2023, a community memory clinic was re-opened in South Niagara, and Niagara Medical Group and Portage Medical Family Health Teams’ memory clinics were made accessible to patients outside of their rosters. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to streamline referrals and ensure that patients are directed to the right services, improving both speed and accuracy of care.

Additionally, the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region launched a mobile geriatric cognitive assessment program, allowing assessments to be conducted in eligible patients’ homes. This initiative, funded as part of a $2.1 million investment in primary care in Niagara, is crucial for those who are not connected to a family health team with a memory clinic and/or housebound.

Further, the Niagara Family Physician Dementia Community of Practice (CoP) has been established to implement system changes to enhance dementia diagnosis and post-diagnostic support in Niagara for family physicians and individuals concerned about cognitive changes. A $41,000 grant from the Niagara Community Foundation supports this initiative, with ten doctors specializing in dementia care, alongside a geriatrician and community partners.

“We’re seeing more proactive solutions in dementia care, from mobile assessments to better training for doctors and improved community connections,” said Piluso. “The success of the Dementia Care Working Group is a clear demonstration of what we can accomplish when we work together—across disciplines, organizations, and communities.”

Through these efforts, the NOHT-ÉSON continues to reduce wait times, enhance the quality of care, and provide earlier diagnosis and support for those living with dementia in Niagara. While there is still work to be done, the strides made so far demonstrate the powerful impact of collaboration in health care.