Skip to content

The impact of Dementia will be great on Canadain Society

Alzheimer Society of North Bay and District News Release ******************** A new report released Monday by the Alzheimer Society to mark Alzheimer Awareness Month reveals alarming new data about the projected economic and social costs of dementia



Alzheimer Society of North Bay and District
News Release

********************

A new report released Monday by the Alzheimer Society to mark Alzheimer Awareness Month reveals alarming new data about the projected economic and social costs of dementia in Canada. According to Rising Tide:

The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society, if current demographic trends continue, the prevalence of dementia will more than double in 30 years with the costs increasing tenfold.

Today's report suggests that by 2038, someone in Canada will develop dementia every two minutes, up from one every five minutes. That means the associated health care costs will soar to $153 billion a year from the current $15 billion a year, and then total cumulative costs will skyrocket to $872 billion over the next 30 years.

In Ontario during the same time period, the number of individuals living with dementia will reach 395, 540, and the number of new annual cases will triple to 98, 620.

Families and individuals are at the heart of the report. Because of the progressive nature of dementia and the escalating numbers of people, Rising Tide underscores the need for more services. "We've already seen a substantial increase in the number of people we help over the past couple of years," says Amanda Laframboise, Alzheimer Society of North Bay. "When we are able to give families the families the right tools and education, they are better equipped to manage the disease and live fulfilled lives beyond diagnosis."

The Rising Tide report also identifies four possible solutions that could minimize the economic fallout of the disease. For example, figuring out how to postpone the onset of dementia by just two years would save the health care system $219 billion over the next 30 years. More than ever, research is vital to further understanding the disease and finding better diagnostic methods.

"These new findings are a great opportunity to put into place a national dementia strategy,' adds David Harvey, Ontario Spokesperson for the Rising Tide project. "Investing more in research to improve early diagnosis, prevention and treatments and investing more in the training of frontline workers is a first good step towards stemming the tide and offering families real hope."

In 2008, there were 1,240 people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia living in the Nipissing District.

For more information on Alzheimer's disease or related dementia, please call the Alzheimer Society of North Bay and District at 495-4342 or stop in the office at 269 Main St. W.

********************