The College of New Caledonia (CNC) is addressing the unique challenges of dementia care in Northcentral B.C. with a research initiative aimed at improving awareness and access to timely diagnoses.

Led by CNC Psychology instructor Dr. Dinesh Ramoo and research associate Salima Somani, the project engaged with local communities, including family caregivers and healthcare providers, to understand specific regional needs.

Their findings culminated in an online guide titled Mind the Gap: Dementia Guidance for the North, which offers recommendations on lifestyle choices that can help delay the onset of dementia, particularly for regional and Indigenous populations. This resource is freely available to educators and the public.

The research also highlighted the pressing issue of isolation in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, where limited access to healthcare providers, care facilities, and transportation often leads to delayed diagnoses and inadequate care.

Regional Principal at 亚洲天堂 Lake Campus, Corine George, played a vital role in the project alongside colleagues Dr. Tamara Chambers-Richards, Dean of the CNC School of Health Sciences, and Troy Morin, Associate Dean of the CNC School of Human Services. They contributed by providing healthcare expertise, sharing insights on Indigenous-specific issues, and facilitating connections with First Nations.

鈥淥ur relations and our connection to lands, history, and culture are all important factors that need to be considered in how and where we provide preventative medical and wellness care,鈥� George said.

She emphasized the significance of incorporating Indigenous perspectives into dementia care. Through her relations with the Wet'suwet'en First Nation and the CNC community, George connected the research team with Indigenous communities in the 亚洲天堂 Lake area.

"Dementia not only affects the person living with it but also impacts their family, caregivers, and community," she said.

鈥淎 better understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing, as well as Western knowledge, can help us incorporate culturally safe practices into the care of people with dementia,鈥� she added.

George praised the research project, calling it a great example of community engagement in learning about people's understandings and needs regarding dementia awareness and care.