Our Impact
Discover how MINT Memory Clinics are improving dementia care, building capacity and saving costs for the system, and read published research studies and program descriptions involving this new model.
Read about the Government of Ontario's evaluation of MINT Memory Clinics here
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COMPLETE PATIENT-CENTRED CARE
Improving the Care Experience
MINT Memory Clinics make memory care easily accessible and they focus on maintaining health and wellness - of both patients and caregivers - over the long-term. Patients and caregivers are a central part of the care team, alongside the doctor, nurse, social worker and others, and their input and preferences are critical in developing a care plan that considers the whole person. With MINT Memory Clinics, patients and caregivers have a trusted team that knows their history, that's close to home, and that's always there to offer support throughout the care journey. Evaluative studies show that MINT Memory Clinics improve care.
3. Lee, L., Hillier, L.M., Patel, T., Molnar, F., Borrie, M., Clarke, J. Delaying transition into long-term care for persons living with dementia: Multispecialty Interprofessional Team Memory Clinics. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2020; S1525-8610(20)30622-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.07.011
6. Lee, L., Hillier, L.M., Locklin, J., Lumley-Leger, K., Molnar, F. Specialist and family physician collaboration: Insights from Primary Care Based Memory Clinics. Health & Social Care in the Community. 2019;00:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12751
7. Lee, L., Lu, S., Hillier, L., Gregg, S., Kaufman Carlin, G. Improving access to community supports and services for persons living with dementia: Integration of home care services into Primary Care-based Memory clinics. Geriatrics and Gerontology International. 2019;19(1):81-82. doi: 10.1111/ggi.13572
8. Lee, L., Slonim, K., Hillier, L.M., Lu, S.K., Lee, J. Persons with dementia and care partners’ perspectives on memory clinics in primary care. Neurodegenerative Disease Management. 2018;8(6):385-397. doi: 10.2217/nmt-2018-0024
9. Lee, L., Weston, W., Hillier, L., Archibald, D., Lee, J. Improving Family Medicine Resident Training in Dementia Care: An Experiential Learning Opportunity in Primary Care Collaborative Memory Clinics. Gerontology & Geriatrics Education. 2018; doi: 10.1080/02701960.2018.1484737
13. Lee, L., Hillier, L.M., Molnar, F., Borrie, M.J. Primary care collaborative memory clinics: Building capacity for optimized dementia care. Healthcare Quarterly. 2017;19(4):55-62. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28130953
16. Lee, L., Hillier, L.M., Harvey, D. Integrating community services into primary care: Improving the quality of dementia care. Neurodegenerative Disease Management. 2014;4(1):11-21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24640975
17. Lee, L., Hillier, L.M., Stolee, P., Heckman, G., Gagnon, M., McAiney, C.A., Harvey, D. Enhancing dementia care: A primary care-based memory clinic. Journal of the American Geriatric Society. 2010;58(11):2197-2204. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20977435
21. Lee, L., Hillier, L.M., Weston, W.W. Developing memory clinics in primary care: An evidence-based interprofessional program of continuing professional development. The Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions. 2013;33(1):24-32. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23512557
96% of patients and caregivers would recommend MINT Memory Clinics
94% of patients and caregivers were satisfied with MINT Memory Clinics
ENHANCED TRAINING
In MINT Memory Clinics, each health care professional has received standardized accredited training to deliver high-quality dementia care.
Evaluative studies have shown the impact of this training program in enhancing care for persons living with dementia and their care partners.
3. Lee, L., Hillier, L.M., Patel, T., Molnar, F., Borrie, M., Clarke, J. Delaying transition into long-term care for persons living with dementia: Multispecialty Interprofessional Team Memory Clinics. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 2020; S1525-8610(20)30622-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.07.011
6. Lee, L., Hillier, L.M., Locklin, J., Lumley-Leger, K., Molnar, F. Specialist and family physician collaboration: Insights from Primary Care Based Memory Clinics. Health & Social Care in the Community. 2019;00:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12751
7. Lee, L., Lu, S., Hillier, L., Gregg, S., Kaufman Carlin, G. Improving access to community supports and services for persons living with dementia: Integration of home care services into Primary Care-based Memory clinics. Geriatrics and Gerontology International. 2019;19(1):81-82. doi: 10.1111/ggi.13572
8. Lee, L., Slonim, K., Hillier, L.M., Lu, S.K., Lee, J. Persons with dementia and care partners’ perspectives on memory clinics in primary care. Neurodegenerative Disease Management. 2018;8(6):385-397. doi: 10.2217/nmt-2018-0024
10. Lee, L., Weston, W.W., Hillier, L.M. Education to improve dementia care: Impact of a structured clinical reasoning approach. Family Medicine. 2018;50(3):195-203. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29537462
20. Lee, L., Hillier, L.M., Weston, W.W. Ensuring the success of interprofessional teams: Key lessons learned in the development and implementation of primary care-based memory clinics. Canadian Journal on Aging. 2014;33(1):49-59. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24345575
WHAT HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS ARE SAYING
“Receiving training in the latest research on diagnosis and management of these issues will be of great benefit to me now and into the future…Overall, the training was not only useful, but it was engaging, professionally executed, clear and concise. I am grateful for the experience and look forward to implementing the knowledge gained to benefit my patients and their families.
Dr. T.R, Ontario
“I really liked that the material was evidence-based and practical and will be directly applicable to several of my patients with dementia. The case studies were helpful to reinforce the material that was covered. The course has increased my confidence in diagnosing and managing patients with dementia and will help improve the care that I provide.
Dr. W.V.H., Ontario
“Thanks again for the outstanding and inspirational training. Very impressive and I look forward to using the new skills in the clinic.
Dr. J.T., British Columbia
“The MINT memory clinic provided me with valuable, therapeutic strategies to engage effectively and with empathy with those living with dementia and their loved ones. The training was exceptional and allowed me to feel confident knowing that I was using a proven technique for providing effective and timely care. Although a diagnosis of dementia can be devastating, the team approach ensures holistic patient-centred care is achieved and all concerns are acknowledged with sensitivity and professionalism. As a geriatric nurse, I appreciated this experience and would highly recommend it to others without hesitation.
D.D., RN, Alberta
“There was just such a lovely mix of didactic learning, group interaction, and problem-solving, that I feel I gained so much from all the hard work the MINT team put into the training sessions. Truly one of the best education sessions I've EVER attended!
Dr. S.R, Ontario
“You guys were amazing! So much material but so well presented!!! Thank you all so much!!!
K.G., NP, Ontario
“This was by far one of the most interesting learning sessions I have done in dementia care!
H.W., RN, British Columbia
“Thank you, Dr. Lee.
Dr. K.M., British Columbia
Life-changing course.
Building Dementia Care Capacity
MINT Memory Clinics build capacity to meet the needs of an aging population by bringing dementia care into primary care. By working together with specialist care and community agencies, MINT Memory Clinics are able to meet the needs of most persons with memory concerns within their own community, according to evaluative studies of the model. This model makes better use of limited specialist resources by reserving referrals for complex cases.
6. Lee, L., Hillier, L.M., Locklin, J., Lumley-Leger, K., Molnar, F. Specialist and family physician collaboration: Insights from Primary Care Based Memory Clinics. Health & Social Care in the Community. 2019;00:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.12751
11. Lee, L., Hillier, L., McKinnon Wilson, J., Gregg, S., Fathi, K., Sturdy Smith, C., Smith, M. Effect of Primary Care-Based Memory Clinics on referrals to and wait-time for Specialized Geriatric Services. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2017 ;66(3):631-632. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29091267
13. Lee, L., Hillier, L.M., Molnar, F., Borrie, M.J. Primary care collaborative memory clinics: Building capacity for optimized dementia care. Healthcare Quarterly. 2017;19(4):55-62. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28130953
15. Lee, L., Hillier, L.M., Heckman, G., Gagnon, M., Borrie, M.J., Stolee, P., Harvey, D. Primary care-based memory clinics: Expanding capacity for dementia care. Canadian Journal on Aging. 2014;33(3):307-319. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25111053
17. Lee, L., Hillier, L.M., Stolee, P., Heckman, G., Gagnon, M., McAiney, C.A., Harvey, D. Enhancing dementia care: A primary care-based memory clinic. Journal of the American Geriatric Society. 2010;58(11):2197-2204. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20977435
90% of persons living with dementia can have all their care needs met within MINT Memory Clinics
Only 10% of patients in MINT Memory Clinics are referred to specialists compared to 100% of patients in non-MINT Clinics
More Effective Use of Resources
An independent evaluative study* commissioned by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care found the MINT Memory Clinic model contributes significant cost savings for Ontario’s health care system.
By improving integration and caring for persons living with dementia at the primary care level, the evaluation also found that the MINT Memory Clinic model helps to relieve the burden on hospitals and long term care.
We would like to thank the Government of Ontario for commissioning this evaluation and for the work of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Health Quality Ontario and the Health Innovations group in completing it. We also want to thank all of the MINT Memory Clinic teams, specialists, community agencies, patients and families that participated and provided input, and who are making this innovative model a success.
*The 2019 study analyzed comprehensive data obtained from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, including data sets from Hospital Discharge Abstract Database, National Ambulatory Care Reporting System, Continuing Care Reporting System, Ontario Drug Benefits Claims, Ontario Health Insurance Plan Claims Database, and Home Care.
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38% reduction in cost per day throughout a patient’s dementia care journey, including hospital visits, specialty care, home care and long-term care
55% reduction in inpatient hospital costs, including ALC days
50% reduction in Emergency Department visit costs
46% reduction in physician fee for service costs
20% reduction in Long Term Care costs
$71 less per patient per day (or, based on this finding, nearly $26K in annual savings for every patient managed by a MINT Memory Clinic)
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- Reducing wait times to receive dementia care by nearly 50%
- Hospitalizations occur later and are shorter, with fewer ALC days and more patients being discharged home
- First visits to the Emergency Department occur later, with fewer admissions
- MINT Memory Clinic patients are able to delay entering Long-Term Care by an average of 6 months compared to patients receiving care outside of the MINT Memory Clinic model
110
MINT Memory Clinics
300+
family physicians
55+
specialists
200+
community service providers
750+
nurses and interprofessional health care providers
