Alzheimer Society welcomes $50 million funding for national dementia strategy

A significant milestone for Canadians living with dementia and their families

TORONTO, March 20, 2019 /CNW/ - The Alzheimer Society of Canada is pleased that the Federal budget released on Tuesday, March 19 will provide $50 million over five years to fund Canada's first national dementia strategy.

Starting this year, the Government of Canada will invest in increased public awareness of dementia through targeted campaigns and activities with a focus on risk reduction, prevention, and combatting the stigma associated with the disease. Investments will also be made in developing treatment guidelines and best practices to promote early diagnosis in cooperation with provincial and territorial partners, as well as understanding the impact of dementia on Canadian communities.

"This investment is great news and we look forward to more robust initiatives as our government builds and implements the national dementia strategy," says Pauline Tardif, CEO at the Alzheimer Society of Canada and Co-chair of the Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia.

The Alzheimer Society has long advocated for a national dementia strategy and has been working closely with the Minister of Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada in informing the strategy, expected to be announced this spring.

"Our goal ultimately is to see a fully funded and comprehensive national dementia strategy so that Canadian families are well positioned to live as best as possible with dementia, from the point of diagnosis to the end of life," adds Tardif. "This important budget investment is a significant step toward this."

About the Alzheimer Society
The Alzheimer Society is Canada's leading nationwide health charity for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Active in communities across Canada, the Society provides information, programs and services, and raises funds for research to better understand the causes of dementia, improve treatment and care, and to find cures.

Quick facts

• Today, over half a million Canadians are living with dementia.
• In less than 15 years, this number will nearly double to almost a million.
• Women over the age of 65 account for 65 per cent of all Canadians living with dementia.
• For every person with dementia, there are one or more family members who provide care.
• Canadians spend over $10.4 billion each year in direct and indirect costs to care for those with dementia. This number is expected to jump to $16.6 billion in less than 15 years.
• In 2011 alone, caregivers devoted 19.2 million hours of unpaid care, representing a value of $1.2 billion
• On average, costs for people with dementia are about five-and-a-half times greater than for those without the condition. Home care and long-term care are the largest contributors to direct care.

Download our 2019 pre-budget submission: https://alzheimer.ca/sites/default/files/files/national/advocacy/asc_pre-budget-submission.pdf

SOURCE Alzheimer Society of Canada