David K. Conn, MB, FRCPC, Psychiatrist-in-Chief, Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care; Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON; President, Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry; Co-Chair, Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health.

Shelly Haber, BA, MHSc, Project Director, Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health.

Ken LeClair, MD, FRCPC, Professor and Chair, Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Queen's University, Kingston, ON.; Co-Chair, Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health.

A national symposium entitled Canadian Invitational Symposium on Gaps in Mental Health Services for Seniors in Long-Term Care Facilities was held on April 28-29, 2002 in Toronto. The participants, who represented more than 65 organizations from across Canada, included national and provincial associations, policymakers, consumers, service providers, educators, researchers and representatives from private industry. The main outcome of the symposium was overwhelming support for the establishment of the Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health, the purpose of which is to improve the mental health of seniors through a coordinated national strategy. The Coalition's first priority will focus on the needs of seniors living in long-term care facilities.

Jaye Waggoner, BAA

A diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) can turn the lives of patients, spouses, friends and family members upside down. There can be a real sense of fear in not knowing what the future will hold. What kind of changes will take place? Who will take on the role of caregiver? It is a lot for families to handle.

Fortunately, aside from having the support of their physicians, patients and caregivers have an extended family in the Alzheimer Society of Canada. The Society has numerous programs designed to help patients, families, physicians and paid caregivers enhance the lives of those living with AD.

TriAD is one such program. The "Tri" refers to physicians, patients and caregivers and the AD for Alzheimer's Disease. This educational support program was developed to provide information and resources for physicians and to aid them in making and communicating the diagnosis of AD. Research indicates that sometimes persons with the disease and caregivers are not made aware fast enough of the resources available through their community.

As a part of the program, the TriAD kit is made available to physicians. The kit includes a diagnostic protocol and assessment scales. Patients and caregivers also receive a kit from their doctor at the time of diagnosis, which includes brochures and a video.