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.