Developing Ontario’s Dementia Strategy: - A Discussion Paper - September 2016 ontario.ca/dementia

The purpose of this discussion paper is for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to learn more about best practices in your communities, how to improve service delivery, and where investments are needed to better support people living with 7 | D e v e l o p i n g O n t a r i o ’ s D e m e n t i a S t r a t e g y dementia and their care partners in living well. [...] These proposed changes aim to create a health system that works efficiently to support patients, including people living with dementia and their care partners, to better access the services they need.31 The ministry also recognizes the importance of ensuring that Ontario’s health system has the capacity to meet the current and future needs of people living with dementia and their care partners. [...] 12 | D e v e l o p i n g O n t a r i o ’ s D e m e n t i a S t r a t e g y Creating Supportive and Inclusive Communities for People Living with Dementia and their Care Partners As we move forward in developing the dementia strategy, we must all work together to develop effective approaches to empower people living with dementia and their care partners to live meaningfull. [...] For example, the Champlain Local Health Integration Network has introduced care coordinator coaches to assist people with dementia and their care partners in navigating the care system and to help coordinate access to the right services.91,92 25 | D e v e l o p i n g O n t a r i o ’ s D e m e n t i a S t r a t e g y What We Heard • Changes, such as receiving a dementia diagnosis, loss of mobility. [...] This means ensuring that opportunities are available for these individuals and their care partners to live a healthy lifestyle and to participate in 35 | D e v e l o p i n g O n t a r i o ’ s D e m e n t i a S t r a t e g y daily activities that are meaningful and contribute to a good quality of life.