Stop the dementia epidemic by raising your voice to narrow the gap
Bob Stewart, Alzheimer Society Embassador, raises his voice. Supplied photo.
THUNDER BAY, ON – Throughout the month of January, which is Alzheimer Awareness Month, the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay is addressing the epidemic that is looming for both provincial and federal governments. Bringing attention the fact that there are some significant gaps that currently exist in dementia care, the Alzheimer Society is emphasizing the importance of everyone working together to create change to fill those gaps.
Over 747,000 Canadians are living with dementia and that number is expected to rise 19% by 2020. In 2011, family caregivers spent 444 million unpaid hours per year looking after someone with dementia. Today, the combined medical cost and the cost of lost productivity total $33 billion per year, which will increase to a staggering $293 billion by 2040. The health care system is not deploying the resources necessary to manage the already overwhelming prevalence of dementia, and is not prepared for what the future will bring.
“I feel very strongly that the time has come to make dementia care a priority,” said Bob Stewart, Thunder Bay business owner and partner in care for his mother, Margaret, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1998. Stewart is troubled by the fact that he has seen little change in dementia care in the last 17 years that his mother has been living with the disease. “If you or a loved one has dementia, don’t be ashamed or frightened about what people might say. There is no shame in dementia; you are far from being alone. We need to stand up and tell people our stories because we want to ensure that people diagnosed today are not telling the same story 17 years from now.”
The Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay acknowledges that unfortunately, Stewart’s family story is not unique. There are over 2,300 people living with dementia in the district of Thunder Bay and that number is on the rise. Last year alone, the Alzheimer Society provided services to over 500 families and this year is expecting to see that number increase to over 700 families based on current projections.
Alison Denton, Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay shared how the public can ‘Narrow the Gap’ that exists in dementia care, “People should raise their voices and invite their local MPP to ask the Ontario Government to make people living with dementia and their families a priority.” Specifically, the Ontario Government needs to:
- Assign targeted funding for community supports
- Provide for more staff in long-term care with specific skills to support people with dementia
- Establish a fair and standard wait time for long-term care
For more information about dementia care and how you can help, contact the Alzheimer Society at (807) 345-9556 or visit their website at www.alzheimer.ca/thunderbay.
About Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay
Founded in 1986, the Alzheimer Society of Thunder Bay is a charitable organization dedicated to alleviating the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The Society offers support to people with Alzheimer’s disease and their partners in care; provides public education; promotes awareness in the community and funds research. Over 2,300 people in the district of Thunder Bay are currently living with dementia, and this number is expected to double within a generation. The Society depends on local support and donations, as the demand for our services continues to grow.
