Grant: Health System Impact Fellowships - PostDoc Central Canada 2-year

Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) are at significantly higher risk of developing dementia, often at younger ages and with atypical symptom presentations. Despite this, current dementia care policies in Ontario and Quebec do not specifically address their unique needs, leaving this population underserved. Several initiatives at CAMH aim to response to the existing gap in healthcare services for aging adults with ID. Notably, the Dementia Screening IDD Project and Brain-Health IDD Program targets preventive care for aging adults with ID. Thus far, both projects are highlighting gaps in knowledge that primary care providers (PCPs) have recognizing and screening for dementia when working with this population as they age. Given their central role in dementia screening and care, PCPs must be equipped to meet the complex health needs of aging adults with ID. Therefore, the goal of the proposed project is to respond directly to the previously identified gaps, by launching a new initiative targeting PCPs in Ontario and Quebec. Specifically, this project aims to strengthen the capacity of PCPs (family physician and nurse practitioners) to deliver dementia screening to individuals with ID. Guided by national and provincial dementia strategies, the project includes: [1] an environmental scan of current provincial, national, and international guidelines; [2] qualitative interviews with PCPs (family physicians and nurse practitioners) to identify experiences, challenges, and support needs; and [3] co-development of provider- and patient-facing tools to enhance dementia screening practices within primary care. Studying both Ontario and Quebec will allow cross-jurisdictional learning, offer a bilingual scope as well as a foundation for expanding the project across other Canadian provinces. The project will not only address critical gaps but also add value to CAMH's ongoing initiatives focused on aging, brain health promotion, and dementia screening.