About the Organization

Champlain Dementia Network
(Eastern Counties, Ottawa, and Renfrew County)

Champlain Dementia Network– An Overview

The Dementia Network of Ottawa (now known as the Champlain Dementia Network after coalition formalized in September 2005) was established on an informal basis in October 1997, when the Memory Disorder Clinic at the SCO Health Service, the Regional Geriatric Assessment Program of Ottawa-Carleton, the Royal Ottawa Hospital - Geriatric Psychiatry Services, and the Psychogeriatric Community Services of Ottawa-Carleton began an initial partnership to look at streamlining the referrals between their respective services so that clients could receive the right service in a more timely way.

It quickly became evident that there were many gaps and unmet needs in the areas of service delivery, education and research related to dementia, and the group decided to address these gaps and unmet needs. Subsequently, other relevant stakeholders joined the informal group and the Network was officially launched in February 1999.

The mandate of the Network is to further develop a more coordinated and efficient system for service delivery, education and research related to dementia. Specifically, its goals are:

• to develop a more coordinated system of assessment and treatment services
• to address gaps and issues in service provision
• to develop more coordinated educational and information services in the area of dementia for clients, caregivers, referring physicians and agencies
• to develop coordinated research efforts into dementia and associated problems
• to provide a coordinated focus on public policy issues

This 23 member voluntary organization with two co-chairs has wide representation including diagnostic assessment and treatment services, the Alzheimer Society, community services, caregivers, long-term care facilities, residential facilities, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, etc. Physician representation includes geriatric medicine, psychiatry, family medicine and neurology.

In September 2000, the Network revised its structure from a single large committee with task forces to a Steering Committee plus three standing committees: Service Delivery, Education, and Research.

In order to have a more effective voice within the newly structured Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) process, the Champlain Dementia Network was formalized in September, 2005. It is a coalition of three existing networks: Dementia Network of Ottawa, Eastern Counties and Renfrew County. This newly formed organization will build on the work already begun within the Eastern Region. The mandate is to develop a more coordinated system of assessment, treatment services, education and informational services, and public policy for dementia care in the Champlain Region.

For further information about the Champlain Dementia Network, contact the co-chairs:

• Dr. Bill Dalziel, Chief, Regional Geriatric Assessment Program, Geriatric Assessment Unit, The Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus, 613-761-4568
• Ms. Kathy Wright, Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, Executive Director, 613-523-4004

Terms of Reference & Action Plans for Committees

(Revised: October 2007)

• Champlain Dementia Network
• Action Plan
• Terms of Reference

• Executive Committee
• Terms of Reference

• Education Committee
• Action Plan
• Terms of Reference

• Physician Education Committee
• Action Plan
• Terms of Reference

• Research Committee
• Terms of Reference

• Service Delivery Committee
• Action Plan
• Terms of Reference

• Services Mapping Committee
• Action Plan

• Public Policy Committee
• Action Plan
• Terms of Reference