Diagnostic Support


Refer directly to speciality clinic where Neurologist and Neuropsychologist work together

If a patient presents in your clinic as complex to diagnose - for example: patient is under 65 or is experiencing atypical cognitive changes - please refer them to our specialist Rural and Remote Memory Clinic where multi-disciplinary team members including a Neurologist and Neuropsychologist participate in the assessment.

We then follow up with you to report diagnosis and suggest a managment plan.

To refer, please complete and fax the referral form to 306-966-1152.

Additional Interventions Available . . .

Our team also offers remotely-delivered interventions detailed below that your patients (and their family members) with cognitive changes or dementia may benefit from. Participation in research to evaluate these interventions is optional.

Insomnia Intervention

Cognitive changes, and aging, can impact ability to get a good night's sleep.
Our team offers a remotely delivered insomnia intervention designed to help older adults with cognitive concerns or dementia increase the quality and quantity of restful sleep.

The intervention is delivered by a PhD in Psychology with assistance from graduate-level Psychology students.

Caregivers of persons with mild cognitive impairment or dementia are also welcome to participate.

Participants are asked to: fill out questionnaires, undergo a brief cognitive assessment, keep a diary of sleeping patterns, and attend a number of treatment sessions delivered virtually/ remotely (via Zoom).

Treatment involves making some changes to sleep patterns. Participation would involve 4-8 sessions, each of which is approximately 60 minutes.

We will ask for consent to use these data for research.

There is no cost for taking part in this treatment.

Refer to this intervention by using the form or contact Dr. Megan O'Connell at 306-966-2496 or 306-966-5925.

 

Cognitive Rehabilitation

Cognitive rehabilitation can be helpful to individuals with and without cognitive impairment in achieving personally meaningful goals.

We are looking for individuals who reside in the province of Saskatchewan who are interested in receiving some individually-tailored, remotely-delivered, and empirically-based intervention rooted in the principles of cognitive rehabilitation.

The intervention is delivered by a PhD in Clinical Psychology with assistance from graduate-level Psychology students.

Caregivers of persons with mild cognitive impairment or dementia are also welcome to participate.

Participants are asked to: fill out questionnaires, undergo a brief cognitive assessment, and attend a number of treatment sessions delivered virtually/ remotely (via Zoom).

Participation would involve 4-12 sessions, each of which is approximately 60 minutes.

We will ask for consent to use these data for research.

There is no cost for taking part in this treatment.

Refer to this intervention by using the form or contact Dr. Megan O'Connell at 306-966-2496 or 306-966-5925.

 

Coming Soon - Individual intervention for caregivers focussed on social networks

Caregivers experience disruptions to their social networks that lead to feelings of social exclusion. We are designing and evaluating an individual therapy focussed on interpersonal relationships. Please contact megan.oconnell@usask.ca for questions.

Coming Soon - Driving cessation intervention

We are working with collaborators across the country to design and evaluate a remotely delivered intervention aimed at people who are considering stopping driving and to help people cope with the psychological consequences of stopping driving. Please contact megan.oconnell@usask.ca for questions.

Ongoing work co-designing dementia caregiver support groups with Indigenous Peoples

 

First Link Program - offered through Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan

First Link® Program and Referral information for Healthcare Providers.

First Link® is a program of the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan that connects people with dementia and their families to information, support services and education as early as possible and throughout the progression of the disease. Formal referral from physicians and health professionals allows for proactive contact with individuals and families.

 

Educational Resources for Providers

The team is building a collection of educational resources intended for health care providers. Many of these resources are prepared with Saskatchewan providers in mind. From short podcasts about topics like Driving and Dementia, to longer presentations about Management of End-Stage Dementia.

 

 

These supports and interventions are being offered as part of ongoing clinical and research services offered by the Rural Dementia Action Research (RaDAR) Team at the University of Saskatchewan. Pandemic planning has meant a shift to almost all services, including those of the RRMC, being offered remotely.