| |
Jan.
5, 2009
For more information:
Patricia Wilkinson
Manager, Media and Government Relations
Office: 1-800-616-8816, or (416)847-2959
Mobile: (416)669-5715
pwilkinson@alzheimer.ca
Alzheimer Society Fact Sheet
The Alzheimer Society is the leading, nationwide health organization for people affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in Canada. The Society is a principal funder of Alzheimer research and training, provides enhanced care and support to people with the disease, their families and their caregivers, and is a prominent voice within all levels of government.
Active for 30 years in more than 140 communities across Canada, the Society is also a key player in Alzheimer's Disease International, at the forefront of worldwide efforts to fight dementia.
The Alzheimer Society depends on donations and volunteers to support its programs and services. The vast majority of funds come from public support.
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 Alzheimer Society's Research Program has contributed approximately $30 million dollars to Alzheimer research in Canada since its inception 20 years ago. In 2008, the Society and its partners funded 27 new grants and training awards, amounting to $2 million.
- Through its Biomedical and Quality of Life streams, the program supports research into all aspects of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, with a new emphasis on funding Doctoral and Post-Doctoral trainees and Young Investigators to encourage work in this field.
- The investments into research by the Alzheimer Society and its partners have paid off with considerable advances over the past two decades. However, research remains the key to finding a cure, and there is still much work to be done.
Reaching Out to Help
The Alzheimer Society is a leading source of support, information and education for people living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, 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 disease or a related dementia, as well as to caregivers and family members, through extensive written materials, workshops, seminars and hundreds of support groups.
- The Society's nationwide Safely Home® Registry assists police in finding people with Alzheimer's disease who have become lost. People can now register for Safely Home® at www.safelyhome.ca, where health care, and search and rescue professionals can also download free training courses.
- 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 health care professionals on challenging ethical issues.
- The Alzheimer Society's national website www.alzheimer.ca contains extensive expert information, as well as discussion forums for people with Alzheimer's disease, their families and caregivers.
Advocating for Change
As the national voice for people affected by Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, the Alzheimer Society plays an important role in advocating for change within our local, provincial and federal governments. By working to influence the programs and services which directly impact people living with this disease, the Alzheimer Society is helping to improve the quality of life for everyone touched by dementia.
- Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are more than just an important health concern. They have the potential to overwhelm the Canadian health care system if fundamental changes are not made in research funding and care delivery.
- In order to prevent this potential epidemic, the Government of Canada must act now and make dementia a national health care priority.
- The Government of Canada must also develop a comprehensive strategy for research funding and care delivery. The strategy would encompass the aspects that most directly impact the lives of those touched by dementia, including research, care, diagnosis and treatment.
Worldwide Movement
The Alzheimer Society is a partner in a larger worldwide movement working 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 investments in research.
Back to the Media Kit introduction page.
 |
