Show Notes
What if the problem isn’t whether Canada has a dementia strategy, but whether families can actually feel it?
In this episode, Andrew Karesa sits down with Dr. Saskia Sivananthan to examine the gap between Canada’s National Dementia Strategy and the lived reality of families, clinicians, and communities trying to navigate brain change.
Drawing on her experience working at the intersection of research, policy, and national coordination, Dr. Sivananthan unpacks what strategy is supposed to do, where implementation breaks down, and how funding decisions shape what support is actually available on the ground. Together, Andrew and Saskia discuss federal leadership, provincial variation, accountability, and why a plan on paper does not automatically translate into coordinated care.
The conversation moves beyond individual caregiving stories to ask a broader systems question: if we say we have a national plan, what would it look like for families to experience it as one?
In this episode: • What Canada’s National Dementia Strategy was designed to accomplish • How funding shifts affect coordination and long-term impact • The difference between announcing a strategy and implementing one • Why fragmentation across provinces continues to shape care experiences • The role of accountability in national health initiatives • Where Canada lags and where it shows leadership globally • What meaningful national alignment in dementia care could actually look like
Whether you are a caregiver, policymaker, clinician, researcher, or someone trying to understand how dementia care is structured in Canada, this conversation offers a grounded look at the systems behind the support families depend on.
Learn more at:https://www.bluebellvillage.ca https://brainwellinstitute.org https://www.saskiasivananthan.comDisclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical condition. Always consult your physician or another qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or treatment. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Andrew Karesa, blueBell Village Ltd., or any of its employees, contractors, or team members.
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