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Heads Up for Healthier Brains Media
Kit
Jan.
2, 2008
For more information:
Patricia Wilkinson
Manager, Media Relations and Communications
1-800-616-8816, or (416)847-2959
PWilkinson@alzheimer.ca
Alzheimer Society Fact Sheet
The Alzheimer Society is a nationwide, not-for-profit health organization dedicated to helping people affected by Alzheimer's and related diseases. Founded 30 years ago, it was the first organization of its kind in the world.
The Society consists of a national office, 10 provincial organizations and more than 140 local offices across the country. Together, we work nationwide to improve the quality of life for Canadians affected by Alzheimer's disease, and to advance the search for treatment, prevention and a cure.
The Alzheimer Society depends on donations and volunteers to support its programs and services. The vast majority of funding is contributed by individual Canadians.
Reaching Out to Help
The Alzheimer Society is a leading source of support, information and educational programs for people living with Alzheimer's or related diseases, their families and caregivers, physicians and other health care professionals.
- Across Canada, the Society offers information, education and peer support to people living with Alzheimer's or a related disease, as well as to caregivers and family members, through extensive written materials, workshops, seminars and hundreds of support groups.
- Through a series of innovative programs, the Society helps connect people who are newly diagnosed to the information and support they need, and provides guidance to healthcare professionals on challenging ethical issues such as driving and dementia.
- The Society co-ordinates an annual public awareness campaign each January, helping to raise awareness on important issues such as prevention, research and care.
- The Alzheimer Society's national website www.alzheimer.ca contains extensive information as well as discussion forums for people with Alzheimer's disease, their families and caregivers.
In Pursuit of a Cure
The Alzheimer Society is committed in its pursuit of a cure, and in finding better ways to care for people with the disease. The Society is a leading supporter of Alzheimer research and training in Canada, awarding funds to the country's best and brightest every year.
- In 2007, the Society and its partners funded 22 new grants and training awards, amounting to $2 million. Since its inception 20 years ago, the program has contributed millions of dollars to Alzheimer research in Canada.
- The research program supports both biomedical and social/psychological research.
- Thanks to the Alzheimer Society and its partners, the investment into research has paid off with considerable advances over the past few years. However, research remains the key to finding a cure, and there is much work to be done.
Advocating for Change
Dementia is more than just an important health concern, it has the potential to overwhelm the Canadian health care system if fundamental changes are not made in research funding and care delivery. The Alzheimer Society recognizes the need for change, and is advocating governments across the country to make dementia a national health priority.
- Time is of the essence. As the population demographics shift in Canada, it becomes paramount that preventive measures are put into place to avoid a dementia epidemic.
- The development of a Canadian Dementia Management Strategy would help guide policy development and care
delivery, as well as draw upon the collaborative efforts of policymakers, health care system managers, clinicians, researchers and health care providers.
- The strategy would encompass aspects that most directly impact the lives of those touched by dementia including research, prevention, diagnosis, improved treatment, improved care and care for the caregivers.
World-wide Movement
The Alzheimer Society is a partner in a large worldwide movement working across the globe to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their families.
- Through ADI, the Society is part of an international group of Alzheimer associations working to make dementia a global health prioity, to raise awareness and to increase funds spent on research.
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