The Neil and Susan Manning Cognitive Health Initiative integrates leading-edge research and care for patients living with cognitive health issues on Vancouver Island.
The Gift of Inspiration
A Victoria family affected by cognitive health issues inspired and supported the initiative. The Mannings made a generous pledge of $2.5 million to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, inspiring Island Health, the University of Victoria, and the University of British Columbia to partner in developing this visionary project. Thanks to ongoing philanthropy from the Manning family and many other donors, and with the continued support of the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, the Initiative is now in its eighth year.
- Initiative Goals
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The Cognitive Health Initiative seeks to:
- develop state-of-the-art tools for early diagnosis;
- integrate research evidence into patient care;
- expand access to clinical trials for dementia on Vancouver Island;
- develop innovative non-pharmacological treatments for patients and carers; and
- follow dementia patients in a database that will track and cluster symptoms, treatment plans, and outcomes.
- Improving Primary Care
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The Cognitive Health Initiative is improving primary care and treatment by:
- working closely with the Specialist Memory Clinic at the Royal Jubilee Hospital’s Seniors’ Outpatient Clinic.
- supporting the adoption of the MINT Memory Clinic care model to improve diagnosis and care for people with dementia. There are now two Primary Care Memory Clinics based on this model operating in Victoria and Nanaimo.
- Enhancing Quality of Life
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The Cognitive Health Initiative offers educational programming for patients living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or cognitive decline greater than expected for a person’s age that can indicate risk of future dementia.
Previously, patients with a diagnosis of MCI had no available treatment options, so the Initiative has built a suite of non-pharmaceutical offerings to reduce their risk, improve quality of life, and delay or perhaps even prevent dementia. Programs includes:
- Mindfulness for MCI patients in partnership with the British Columbia Association for Living Mindfully (BCALM);
- “Learning the Ropes,” which focuses on optimizing cognitive health for older adults living with MCI and their partners in care; and
- A booster series for those who have completed other courses to address requests for more information on additional topics.
- Get Involved in Cognitive Health Research
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Are you interested in learning about research study opportunities related to memory and cognitive health?
- With your permission, the CHI will contact you when there are studies for which you may be eligible.
- Signing up does not mean that you are consenting to participate in a study.
- To learn more or sign up, contact the Clinical Research Coordinator at the Seniors Outpatient Clinic by phone at 250.370.8340 x18340, or email ResearchPTC@islandhealth.ca.
- Learn More
Leadership
Medical Director
Dr. Alexandre Henri-Bhargava
alexandre.henribhargava@islandhealth.ca