Dementia Specialty Team

The Dementia Specialty Team (DST) helps Islanders living with dementia and their care partners.

The team is led by two occupational therapists who are part of the Provincial Geriatric Program. They collaborate with the geriatricians and nurse practitioners to provide a consultative service that promotes evidence-based, best practice dementia care. They provide guidance, support, education, and individualized care planning to help health care staff, and care partners manage complex behaviors related to a dementia progression. 

Am I eligible for a consultation?

To be eligible for a consultation with the DST, you must:

• be a resident of PEI with a valid PEI Health Card; and
• experience behaviour changes related to dementia which significantly impact your safety, well-being, or ability to manage. 

Criteria for having an assessment done by DST includes living with behaviours related to dementia that cannot be managed with support through existing resources and other services.

Note: Clients with acute medical issues will be excluded until the acute medical issues are resolved.

What services does the DST provide?

The DST provides:

• Mobile Behavioural Support Outreach. This includes complex behavioural support, assessments and care planning for clients in the community, acute care and long-term care.
• A Behavioural Support Plan created with the individual, family, care partner(s) and clinical team, which can be incorporated into the existing care plan.
• Virtual behavioural consultations between the DST team and other health care providers.
• Transitional support for complex discharge planning.
• Other referral requests that will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Recommendations and implementation of programs aimed at reducing the risk for people living with dementia.
• Education to health care providers.

Do I need a referral?

Yes, you must be referred to the DST by a physician or nurse practitioner. Referrals are triaged according to urgency.

The Provincial Geriatric Program triages all referrals for a DST consultation.

Who can I contact for information about the DST?

Provincial Geriatric Program

Summerside
243 Heather Moyse Drive
Summerside, PE   C1N 5R1

Charlottetown
149 Mount Edward Road, 2nd Floor
JBJ (James B. Jenkins) Centre
Charlottetown, PE   C1A 5T1

Telephone:  (902) 432-2860
Fax:  (902) 432-2859
Email:  geriatricinfo@ihis.org