Your participation will make a difference in ensuring that a fully-funded national dementia strategy will change our health-care system for the better and improve the lives of Canadians impacted by dementia. Below are some explanations of why this matters!
The number of Canadians with dementia is rising sharply.
As of today, there are over half a million Canadians living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia – and about 25,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. By 2031, this number will nearly double. That’s less than 12 years away.
Alzheimer’s disease is already the seventh-leading cause of death in Canada, and it will only continue to grow as a significant public health concern.
Canada’s health-care system is not equipped to deal with the staggering costs.
Dementia is an expensive disease. As of 2016, the cost to care for those with dementia is currently estimated at $10.4 billion. By 2031, this figure is expected to increase by 60 per cent, to $16.6 billion.
Roughly 56,000 Canadians with dementia are being cared for in hospitals, even though this in not an ideal location for care.
Canada needs a fully-funded national dementia strategy
We can’t afford to ignore dementia. It has an overwhelming impact on the Canadians who develop it, their families and caregivers in our communities. With a comprehensive national dementia strategy, we can ensure that the growing number of Canadians living with dementia receive the care and support they deserve, today and in the future.
A fully-funded strategy will allow Canada to meet the challenges of dementia with a coordinated, focused approach to care and research.
Click here for more information about the National Dementia Strategy.
What Canadians are saying:
“With a strategy in place, we can develop a strong network of support for those living with dementia and those in a caregiving role.”
— Kathleen, a caregiver
“When you have close to a million people in the next 10 to 15 years living with dementia in Canada…there’s got to be something done now.”
— Keith, a person living with dementia
“It’s crucial to focus on what makes a difference today to support living well.”
— Debra, a researcher
“We need a fully-funded national dementia strategy to move ahead.”
— Roger, a person living with dementia
“A strategy will be able to help those living with dementia lead a full life.”
— Phyllis, a person living with dementia
“It’s critical that the current funding stays in place and, in fact, increases to better meet the needs of the Canadian families impacted by dementia.”
— Danielle, a caregiver
“With a fully-funded national dementia strategy, we would be able to devote significant resources toward predicting the onset of dementia.”
— Simon, a researcher
Here’s how you can help
The next Canadian federal election will take place on October 21, 2019. Help us make the national dementia strategy a top issue in this election by talking to your local candidates for Member of Parliament (MP).
Write to your local MP candidates today, and ask for a fully-funded national dementia strategy. If you need help, use our letter-writing tool below.
Your participation will make a difference in ensuring that a fully-funded national dementia strategy will change our health-care system for the better and improve the lives of Canadians impacted by dementia.