VICTORIA - Dementia patients and their families will benefit from the implementation of a care model that uses a person-centred approach for patients with diseases such as Alzheimer's, making it the first in Canada, announced Health Minister George Abbott.

A $1-million provincial grant by the Ministry of Health to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. will help to implement a Dementia Service Framework. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. will jointly determine specific system changes supported by this investment, through the input of several partners and stakeholders.

"Being diagnosed with a terminal illness is a life-altering event and the implementation of the Dementia Service Framework will help to ensure people with dementia receive the best care, based on best practices and established evidence," said Abbott. "In British Columbia, we are reorienting health services to better reflect the patient's journey and achieve measurable progress towards a better quality of life for people affected with dementia."

The Dementia Service Framework - a provincial initiative funded by the Ministry of Health - brings together British Columbians involved in receiving, planning and delivering care and services to this population. The Dementia Service Framework was developed in summer 2006 and the implementation process began in March 2007.

"The journey faced by people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia affects not only the person with the disease, but the entire family," said Rosemary Rawnsley, executive director of the Alzheimer Society of B.C. "We know from current research that strengthening individuals and their families as early as possible makes the journey with dementia more manageable. We look forward to working with government on this important initiative to improve the lives of people with dementia, their families and caregivers."

The grant supports the province's Primary Health Care Charter, which outlines a vision to transform the health system and focuses on working with patients as they journey through the health system.

The Alzheimer's Society of BC reports more than 64,000 people in British Columbia currently suffer from dementia and research indicates that number will grow to 74,000 over the next five years and that 14,000 people develop dementia annually, impacting an average of four family members.

"There are no approved treatments to arrest the progression of Alzheimer's or a cure," added Abbott. "Our goal is to eventually eliminate Alzheimer's disease and related dementias."

In 2006, the provincial government announced $15 million in funding for the Pacific Alzheimer Research Foundation to unravel the mystery of Alzheimer's and find a cure.

The Province has invested more than one billion dollars in research and innovation since 2001, including significant investments in research to improve treatments and seek cures for major health-care challenges such as Alzheimer's disease, depression and spinal cord injuries.

Investing in mental health related services is part of government's Pacific Leadership Agenda to improve the health of citizens and renew the public health system.