Episode 13: From Early Detection to Better Days: Advancing Dementia Care Through Research, Diagnosis and Person-Centred Support

Advances in Alzheimer’s disease research, earlier identification and emerging treatment options are changing the dementia care landscape. But what do these developments mean for healthcare professionals—and how can clinical knowledge translate into better day-to-day care and quality of life?

In this episode of ComForConnections Canada, we explore the evolving understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, the growing importance of early recognition and diagnosis, and what current research and emerging treatment options may mean for individuals, families and healthcare professionals.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that goes beyond diagnosis to explore how person-centred approaches can support individuals throughout the dementia journey. Host, Cheryl Musial, Registered Nurse connects with guests, Julia Cappelli, Neuroscientist and Director of Business Development for the Memory Clinic in Ottawa, and Linda Meek, Business Development & Relations Manager – ComForCare Home Care – Ottawa-Champlain to discuss early identification, emerging treatment options and the evolving science surrounding Alzheimer’s disease. They also explore how ComForCare’s approach can help care teams support remaining abilities, better understand changes in behaviour and communication, encourage meaningful engagement, and support individuals living with dementia safely and confidently at home.

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About Our Guests: 

Julia Cappelli, M.Sc., Neuroscientist and Director of Business Development – The Memory Clinic

Julia is the director of business development at The Memory Clinic with a background in neuroscience specializing in Alzheimer’s disease. She has expertise in brain function, drug development, and clinical trials. She is deeply committed to translating complex scientific advances into practical, accessible knowledge that supports healthcare professionals, care settings, and most importantly, patients and their families.

Linda Meek, Business Development & Relations Manager – ComForCare Home Care – Ottawa-Champlain

Linda is the Business Development and Relations Manager for ComForCare Home Care – Ottawa-Champlain. She is dedicated to helping families ensure their loved ones are provided with the care and services they deserve in whatever setting they call home. 

Supporting and educating our seniors to navigate our Healthcare system is a strong focus point for Linda. She grew up in a small village in Scotland, where her grandmother taught her the importance of caring for others at a very young age, especially seniors living alone. 

After studying Gerontology, Linda worked in Senior-centric organisations for over 20 years. She has met and befriended many Seniors and their Families in her 17-year journey as Executive Director in various retirement homes in the Ottawa area. Linda has served as a Board Member and Educator for the Ontario Retirement Communities Association, Board Member for the Council on Ageing, and various committees. Linda currently serves on the Algonquin College advisory committee.

In this Episode, you will learn: 

• Why early recognition and diagnosis matter and how healthcare professionals can distinguish potential cognitive changes from normal ageing and identify when further assessment may be appropriate.
• What’s changing in Alzheimer’s disease research and treatment, including advances in disease-modifying therapies, clinical trials and other developments shaping the future of dementia care.
• How DementiaWise® supports care teams with practical, evidence-informed strategies for understanding dementia-related changes, identifying potential unmet needs and adapting care approaches to the individual.
• Ways ageing services professionals can strengthen continuity across the dementia care journey, from early assessment and diagnosis to ongoing support at home—including sharing successful approaches, changes in function, triggers, preferences and other important information across the care team.

The key takeaway: The science surrounding dementia and Alzheimer’s disease continues to evolve, creating new opportunities for earlier identification, research and treatment. But better dementia care also depends on what happens every day—how we communicate, how we respond to change, how we recognize remaining abilities, and how we help individuals continue to experience meaning, connection and independence.

For ageing services professionals, the opportunity is to connect these two worlds: advancing clinical research with person-centred approaches that translate that knowledge into better days for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and those who care for them.

Episode Resources:

• Key Insights Tool. 
• Dementia Home Care Services
• DementiaWise® Certified Care
• Memory Clinic – Clinique Mémoire
• Alzheimer Society of Canada
• National Institute on Aging — Canada
• The Dementia Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County
• McGill University – Dementia Education and Caregiver Resources
• donanemab: What Canadians Need to Know – Alzheimer Society of Canada
• lecanemab: What Canadians Need to Know – Alzheimer Society of Canada
  

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