Advancing coordinated dementia care systems through research, policy, and public engagement
Media and Press
Dr. Saskia Sivananthan is a dementia policy expert and health systems researcher whose work focuses on improving coordination of dementia care and supporting caregivers. She regularly provides expert commentary to media on Alzheimer’s disease, aging populations, health system reform, and dementia care.
Expert Commentary Topics:
• Dementia care coordination and health system reform
• Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis and treatment
• Caregiver policy and family caregiving
• Aging populations and health system sustainability
• Brain health and dementia prevention
MEDIA INQUIRIES
Email: saskia dot communication at gmail dot com
Topics: dementia policy, Alzheimer’s research, caregiving, aging health systems
Available for: TV, radio, podcast, and print commentary
Media
Dr. Sivananthan has been interviewed by many of the key national news outlets in Canada including CTV, CBC, TVO and OMNI. She is available for in-person interviews in the Greater Toronto Area or virtually from anywhere in Canada and around the world.
Watch Dr. Sivananthan speak on:
DEMENTIA DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT
TVO The Agenda - Why is it so hard to diagnose dementia?
Receiving a diagnosis of dementia requires a series of tests and a deep understanding of cognitive function. It also requires someone who can recognize the early signs. In short, the wait time for a dementia diagnosis is long and Dr. Sivananthan outlines why
TVO The Rundown - Is this new Alzheimer's drug a gamechanger?
Providing details on the latest dementia drug making its way to market and whether it could make a real difference to patients or not.
CARE COORDINATION & SYSTEM TRANSFORMATION
CTV News, Global News and CP24 - Is Canada lagging behind other countries in dementia care?
The latest report Dr. Sivananthan led as CEO of the Brainwell Institute identifying where Canada has successfully supported care for major conditions like cancer and stroke, and can learn for other countries for dementia care.
TVO The Agenda - How has medicine advanced since 2006?
In one of its final episodes, Dr. Sivananthan joins a prestigous panel to discuss how the field of health has advanced over 20 years, and what has not. Dementia still lacks a coordinated care pathway, but new innovations and understanding about dementia have evolved care.
CAREGIVING
CTV The Social - Caregiving and dementia
Joined by caregiver Tamara Moona, Dr. Sivananthan discusses the challenges and emotional toll of caregiving, and practical tips for support
AGING POPULATIONS & HEALTH SYSTEMS
CTV New - Why seniors hoping to age at home are forced into crisis decisions
Dr. Sivananthan discusses why more than 80% of seniors prefer to age at home, but only a small percent are prepared to do so and are often forced in decisions driven by crisis. She offers practical solutions and approaches to be better prepared.
BRAIN HEALTH
CTV The Social - The four more common types of dementia explained
Dr. Sivananthan explains the early warning signs, progression and neuroscience behind the four most common dementias: Alzheimer's disease, Vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia, Frontotemporal dementia
CTV The Social - The state of dementia research in Canada
Discussing the latest dementia research from lifestyle, drug therapeutics to rehabilitation and future projections
Talks & Podcasts
As a researcher and advocate, Dr. Sivananthan is passionate about raising awareness, educating the public to promote a better understanding of dementia and other neurological diseases. She has spoken at forums across the country and been featured on national panels, webinars and podcasts for her expertise.
Watch her present, moderate and participate in expert panels on a variety of dementia topics.
She has also been featured in several national and international podcasts and radio including:
TVO The Rundown - How Has Medicine Advanced since 2006?
The Dose with Brain Goldman - Why the new drug for Alzheimer's disease is causing controversy
Toronto Star This Matters - Is Canada prepared for an impending dementia epidemic?
Caregiver's Compass - The gaps in dementia and aging care in Canada, a defined dementia pathway and the path forward
Telus Talks with Tamara Taggart - Simple Habits to reduce dementia risk
Weekends with Rob Fai - Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia are becoming one of Canada's most significant challenges for the health care system