Saskatoon gets unit for specialized dementia treatment

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By Femi SHODUNKE

CANADA: THE government of Saskatchewan has provided opportunity for residents of the province within the central and northern health regions to have access to a second provincial specialized dementia assessment unit.

GatewayMail learnt that the new, innovative unit has opened within Parkridge Centre in Saskatoon and will admit residents from the two health regions.

While speaking on this development, the Health Minister, Jim Reiter, stressed the significance of helping those suffering from dementia.

Reiter said: “Our government recognizes the importance of providing quality supports and services to those suffering from dementia, as well as their families and caregivers,

“This specialized unit is an important step forward for dementia care in our province,” the Minister added.

The five bed unit provides an intensive, wrap-around service for referred clients, and that during that time, clients stay within the unit and are assessed with the goal of developing a new and sustainable care plan to assist their usual care providers with their challenging behaviours when they return to their home or long term care facility.

“We are very pleased to provide this important support to individuals and their families who are living with the challenges of dementia,” Saskatoon Health Region President and CEO, Dan Florizone, said.  “It is due to the investment from the Government of Saskatchewan that we are able to offer this care in a welcoming and specialized environment.”

GatewayMail learnt that in addition to the specialized unit, earlier this year the Northern Dementia Assessment Outreach team in Saskatoon Health Region began working with central and northern Saskatchewan home facilities and communities to provide care and support in place for those with dementia.

It is only those individuals requiring additional supports who are admitted to the new unit, it was further gathered.

The Government of Saskatchewan had provided $2.8 million to the Saskatoon and Regina Qu’Appelle Health Regions for capital construction or renovations to design the units, and an additional $1.15 million annualized funding each for ongoing operations.

Saskatoon’s specialized dementia unit serves clients from central and northern health regions, but the RQHR’s Dementia Assessment Unit officially opened in 2016, and serves the southern health regions.

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