History of The Course

In 1991, an ambitious and dedicated group of individuals involved in long term care, gathered together in Pictou County to form the Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementia Advisory Committee (ADRDAC). The education goal of the founding committee was to develop a provincially recognized course to address the needs of persons living with dementias.

In 1993, the Committee received endorsements for course content from the Nova Scotia Department of Community Services, Department of Health, and Department of Education; the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia; the Nova Scotia Association of Health Organizations (now Health Association Nova Scotia); the Continuing Care Association of Nova Scotia (CCANS); and the Senior Citizens’ Secretariat.

In 1996, the Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementia Care Course (ADRDCC) was adapted for delivery by distance learning through video with the support of the Regional Industrial Training Commission Community Care and Distance University Education via Technology (DUET).

In 1997, an impact study of the program was completed by the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging, Mount Saint Vincent University. The outcome was overwhelmingly positive as to the benefits the course provided to care providers and caregivers. These benefits were directly linked to positive changes in the care of persons with dementia.

In 2000, the Nova Scotia Department of Health (now Department of Health and Wellness), recognizing the benefits of this course incorporated it as a compulsory component of the Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) Program. The CCA Certification is the entry-to-practice requirement to work in the role of direct care and support services with most NS Department of Health and Wellness funded clients.

In 2002, the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging, Mount Saint Vincent University was contracted to assist the Committee with 5th revision of the Care Course. The revision was linked directly to course evaluations and the growing need to advance the education to a new learning level. The 5th Edition’s revisions paid more attention to aligning the content with adult learning principles as well as ensuring the course content was current. At this time the course name was changed to Alzheimer Disease and other Dementia Care Course (ADODCC). The Committee’s name was also changed to Alzheimer Disease and Other Dementia Care Course Committee.

In 2003, the Nova Scotia Health Organizations (then NSAHO) was contracted as the managing body for the Care Course. In 2006, the ADODCC Committee incorporated as a Society and concentrated on developing a more formal governance structure for the course.

In 2008, the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging, Mount Saint Vincent University was contracted once again to assist the Committee with revising the course, resulting in the 6^th Edition. With this revision, came integration of the P.I.E.C.E.S.™ approach to care planning and problem solving. The Committee and the Department of Health and Wellness’ Challenging Behaviour Program (which provides P.I.E.C.E.S.™ training), had identified the importance of working in partnership to enhance the care provided to persons with dementia in Nova Scotia. These complementary programs have similar philosophies and assist learners in enhancing their capacity in the provision of care to persons with dementia.

In 2009, the ADODCC was incorporated as a compulsory component of the Licensed Practical Nurses’ education program in Nova Scotia.

In 2012 the ADODCC Committee met to establish the future direction of the ADODCC, setting a new mission, vision, and values.

Mission

To promote a person-centred approach to providing care and services for persons living with dementia through the ongoing development, promotion, and administration of the Dementia: Understanding the Journey.

Vision

Enhancing care for persons living with dementia through quality education.

Values

Integrity: We make informed decisions and ensure the course is current, relevant, and of the highest quality.

Innovation: We are progressive and flexible; we proactively identify and respond to emerging education needs.

Life-long learning and growth: We are ambassadors for accessible quality education pertaining to dementias.

Collaborative: We invite input from partners and a variety of stakeholders provincially and nationally, with a goal of enhancing dementia education for all.

In 2013 the Committee issued an Online Delivery Standard to help guide the delivering organization wishing to provide the course online. This gave participants the opportunity to receive the same standardized quality dementia education but not have to attend a traditional classroom education venue. In 2013 the ADODCC, for the first time, was delivered online through NSCC in the practical nursing program.

In 2014 Dalhousie University piloted the course, also online, in their nursing program with first year students with favourable results. The Care Course is now a compulsory component of the Dalhousie Nursing program.

The current 7th Edition of the course, 2016, has been adapted to incorporate new knowledge, understanding, and to address the changing needs of the health care system. This revision was once again a product of the collaborative work of the governing body and the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging. With the 7th Edition the course has once again taken on a new name, Dementia: Understanding the Journey.

From its humble beginning to the current 7th Edition, released in 2016, the course has met significant milestones and gone through several evolutions in order to best offer education to people providing care to persons with dementia. However, its core goal remains; to provide standardized foundation education for those supporting people living with dementia.

Since the first delivery in 1991 the course has been delivered to over 28,000 learners. As noted, the course is a required education component for Continuing Care Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, and most recently for Dalhousie nursing students.

Guiding the course’s development over the years was the Alzheimer Disease and Other Dementia Care Course Committee, changing its incorporated name in 2016 to Dementia: Understanding the Journey Society. Over the years the Board of Directors has been comprised of a variety of dedicated individuals from a number of backgrounds, including physicians, nurses, recreation and occupational therapists, dieticians, educators, administrators, and family members. The group continues to change, but their focus remains the same: To promote a person-centred approach to providing care and services for persons living with Dementia through the ongoing development, promotion, and administration of Dementia: Understanding the Journey.

The efforts of the Board are further enhanced by strong relationships with health care employers and employer associations, the Department of Health and Wellness, the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Centre on Aging, post-secondary education institutions, and Veterans’ Services Canada. Together, we seek to maintain and build upon the success of our provincial course.