FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government is investing $600,000 to improve dementia care through the appropriate use of antipsychotic medication at nursing homes in New Brunswick.

“Addressing the issue of healthy aging and care for seniors is a top priority for our government as the senior population continues to grow,” said Social Development Minister Cathy Rogers. “This investment will help improve care for nursing home residents diagnosed with dementia and it will reduce costs for our nursing homes.”

This issue is of particular importance in New Brunswick, which has among the highest rates of antipsychotic medication use in the elderly. In 2013, the rate of this medication use was nearly two times higher in the province than in the rest of Canada.

“This collaboration is an excellent example of patient-centred innovation that improves prescribing practices and the appropriate use of prescription drugs,” said federal Health Minister Jane Philpott. “These kinds of projects have a positive impact on the health and well-being of seniors living with dementia and their families, as well as our health-care system overall.”

Fifteen nursing homes have been selected to participate in the first phase of the New Brunswick Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics Collaborative. The project will be expanded provincewide in 2017.

Non-medication interventions, such as patient-centred approaches, have proven to be effective in managing the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

The funding will be used to provide learning and coaching to help health-care providers at nursing homes use data to identify patients who may benefit from non-drug therapies to treat behavioural issues associated with dementia. Collecting the appropriate information about each resident will help front-line staff tailor services to support quality of care and improve the quality of life for residents.

The following nursing homes will take part in the first phase of the program:

  • Loch Lomond Villa (Saint John);
  • Rocmaura (Saint John);
  • Kings Way LifeCare Alliance (Saint John);
  • Passamaquoddy Lodge (Saint Andrews);
  • Drew Nursing Home (Sackville);
  • Mount St. Joseph (Miramichi);
  • Victoria Glen Manor (Perth Andover);
  • Dalhousie Nursing Home (Dalhousie);
  • Villa Saint-Joseph (Tracadie);
  • Foyer Sainte-Élizabeth (Baker-Brook);
  • Résidences Lucien Saindon (Lamèque);
  • Foyer Saint-Antoine (Saint-Antoine);
  • Westford Nursing Home (Port Elgin);
  • Thomas Hall-Shannex (Quispamsis); and
  • Pine Grove (Fredericton).

 

17-05-16