Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to Dementia Care in New Brunswick

by Fareeha Quayyum, Dr. Shelley Doucet, Dr. Alison Luke and Amy Reid

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to explore barriers and facilitators to dementia diagnosis and post-diagnostic support from the perspective of persons with dementia (PWD) and their care partners (CP) such as family members or friends, as well as health and social care providers (HSCP) in New Brunswick. Semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with CP, PWD, and HSCP. Qualitative interview data were analyzed in NVivo using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six phases of thematic analysis. Key barriers that have emerged related to diagnostic and post-diagnostic care include: lack of access and support, ‘no continuity of care’, stigma, and burnout. Facilitators included: education, compassionate care, establishing a network of support, ‘upholding personhood’ of PWD, and support to navigate the system. Participants called for greater integration of dementia care and system navigation supports to fill in current gaps of dementia care. Ensuring that CP and PWD have consistent and regular access to formal emotional, practical, and medical support is crucial in eliminating barriers to dementia care in New Brunswick.