National Strategy
The Alzheimer Society of Canada believes that the Government of Canada must act now and sponsor the development of a Canadian Dementia Management Strategy.
Approximately half a million Canadians over the age of 65 currently have Alzheimer's or a related dementia, a number that is expected to double within the next generation.
A Canadian government study, completed more than 10 years ago, estimated the total annual cost of Alzheimer's and related dementias at $5.5 billion. Today, that number is many times greater, and will only continue to increase as our population ages.
Looking ahead, it becomes clear that unless a cure can be found, Alzheimer's and related dementias may prove to have the highest economic, social and health cost burden of all diseases in Canada.
The purpose of the strategy will be to guide both policy development and care delivery, and will draw upon the collaborative efforts of policymakers, health care system managers, clinicians, researchers and health care providers.
It will encompass those aspects that most directly impact the lives of those touched by Alzheimer's or a related dementia.
Strategy Objectives
There are six key categories of the strategy, including:
- research
- prevention
- diagnosis
- improved treatment
- improved care
- care for caregivers
Research
Canada's scientists rank among the top Alzheimer scientists in the world, and many important discoveries are being made right here at home.
Between the years 2000 and 2005, the Government of Canada contributed $69 million to Alzheimer research. While this funding is considerable, it lags behind levels provided in other countries (such as the United States) and is not keeping pace with growth rates in the incidence of Alzheimer's disease.
If a cure is to be found, Alzheimer research must be made a higher priority in Canada. The government needs to dramatically change the trajectory of Alzheimer research spending, both through increased support of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and incentives to promote the support of research through private donations.
Prevention
There is no single cause of dementia; rather the disease develops through the interplay of a number of factors. Genes play a role, as does aging. However, there are other risk factors that are amenable to modification. As well, there are known protective factors whose effects have been well-documented.
Some of these risk factors are shared with other diseases, for example cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as are some of the protective factors, such as diet and exercise. A growing pool of research is telling us that there are things people can do to help reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer's or a related disease.
This component of the strategy will define specific interventions which are designed to delay the onset of dementia, or to mitigate the impact of dementia on people who have the disease, thereby delaying the need for institutionalization.
Diagnosis
The number of people seeking treatment for dementia is far lower than would be expected epidemiologically. The reasons for this gap include lack of awareness of the disease and its treatment by members of the public, inadequate access to primary care providers, inadequate access by primary care providers to specialized support, and lack of understanding of the disease and treatment options by primary care providers.
This component of the strategy will develop interventions that will raise awareness of the disease and help physicians in diagnosing dementia. Tremendous strides are also being made in the development of biomarkers, and in the use of Neuron Imaging to facilitate rapid reliable diagnosis and early intervention. Policy must also be put in place to expedite adoption of these emerging diagnostic technologies.
Treatment
Access to effective medications is essential for those suffering with Alzheimer's disease. Some seniors are financially vulnerable and cannot afford the high cost of purchasing necessary drugs. Also, medications approved by Health Canada to treat Alzheimer's disease are currently not available in all provinces.
It is essential that, as advances are made in treatment and effective medications are approved by the federal government, that all provinces make them available through their drug benefits plan.
This strategy component will work to ensure that all Canadians have timely and equitable access to current and emerging treatments.
Care
This strategy component will look at approaches to be adopted by home care, community services and long-term care facilities to preserve function and maintain a good quality of life for people with dementia, including high-quality end-of-life care.
The component also aims to improve care delivery by assisting caregivers with appropriate training and support interventions. Improving care delivery will not only help reduce the burden on caregivers, but will sustain the limited resources of Canada's long-term care facilities.
Care for Caregivers
The assistance provided by informal caregivers is critical in allowing those living with Alzheimer's disease to maximize their independence and quality of life – and to delay or prevent the need to move into a long-term care facility.
The leading cause of admissions to long-term care facilities for people with dementia is caregiver exhaustion and burn-out. For a lot of people with dementia, their primary caregiver is also their spouse, who in many cases is dealing with health problems of their own. Although a mix of programs aimed at supporting informal caregivers exists today, more policies are needed.
This strategy component will identify actions which will maintain the health of family caregivers and maintain their capacity to support people with dementia in the home setting. For example, advocating to the federal government to provide income protection for caregivers by amending the conditions of the Compassionate Family Care Leave Benefit to include those with chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease.
What do we want government to do?
It is more evident now than ever before that gaps exist in meeting the needs of people touched by Alzheimer's disease. The implications for future government policy initiatives need to be understood and addressed.
We are asking the Government of Canada to sponsor the development of a Canadian Dementia Management Strategy by a pan-Canadian coalition of experts assembled by the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
Time is of the essence. As the population demographics shift in Canada, it becomes paramount that preventative measures are put into place to avoid the epidemic of dementia.
How can you help? Raise your voice about the need for a Canadian Dementia Management Strategy by writing to your local MP.
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