Reitman Centre programs that support families caring for loved ones with dementia will soon be available across Ontario

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New funding from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term care will enable Sinai Health System’s Cyril & Dorothy, Joel & Jill Reitman Centre for Alzheimer’s Support and Training to lead province-wide implementation of its nationally acclaimed programs.

The new initiative is called Enhancing Care for Ontario Care Partners and will support families or other unpaid caregivers who are providing care at home to people living with dementia as part of the Ontario government’s Dementia Strategy.

 “We know from our research and daily experience with caregivers at our Reitman Centre program at Mount Sinai that these interventions to support family members and other unpaid caregivers who are struggling are effective and impactful. But we also know that there is a significant unmet need across Ontario for people who haven’t been able to access this kind of support. “We are very grateful for this investment by the Ontario government, which will help improve the quality of life for many Ontarians caring for loved ones,” says Dr. Joel Sadavoy, Medical Director of the Reitman Centre and of the new initiative.

Through the program, and in close collaboration with the Alzheimer Societies of Ontario, sites in each of Ontario’s 14 LHIN regions will hire professional staff to be trained by the Reitman Centre to deliver its innovative, evidence-based skills-training and emotional support interventions.

The program will be made available to 15,000 people caring for a loved one with dementia over the first three years of the Dementia Strategy. It has begun implementation across Ontario, and the first partner agencies have started active intake of caregivers to the program.

Read the full news release here.

Learn more about the Cyril & Dorothy, Joel & Jill Reitman Centre for Alzheimer’s Support and Training here.

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