alzheimer's disease in canada: stats, resources and impact on canadians

what is alzheimer’s disease?

• trouble finding words to express thoughts
• frequently losing or misplacing items
• difficulty making plans
• difficulty with basic problem-solving
• needing more time to finish regular tasks

• increased memory loss and confusion, often forgetting events or details about their life
• confusion about the day of the week, season, and location
• repeat stories, thoughts, or events
• difficulty recognizing family or friends
• difficulty with basic math
• needing assistance with personal care tasks, such as bathing and using the restroom
• personality changes, including agitation, depression, or anxiety
• disruptions in sleep

• almost complete memory loss
• unaware of surroundings
• requires assistance for eating, sitting up, and walking
• unable to communicate with limited words and phrases
• vulnerable to infections, such as pneumonia and skin infections

the exact cause of alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood, but genetic factors, age, and environmental influences are all believed to play a role.

current alzheimer’s disease statistics in canada

in 2020, 124,000 people in canada were diagnosed with dementia, and a total of 597,000 people were living with the disease. nearly 62 per cent of people living with dementia in 2020 were women.

the likelihood of developing alzheimer’s disease or related dementia rises as individuals get older, with 1 per cent of canadians between the ages of 65-69 being affected up to 25 per cent for those age 85 and older.

approximately 25 per cent of seniors over the age of 85 have been diagnosed with dementia. though uncommon, 3 per cent of canadians under the age of 65 are diagnosed with young on-set dementia.

dementia is now the seventh leading cause of death globally. more than half of canadians are concerned about being affected by alzheimer’s disease.

impact of alzheimer’s disease on canadian society

alzheimer patients require ongoing medical care and specialized treatment. healthcare related costs, including doctor visits, medications, long-term care and hospitalizations can be significant. globally, dementia care costs an estimated $1.3 trillion (usd) every year. by 2031, estimates suggest that the annual health-care expenses for canadians with dementia will reach $16.6 billion (cad) .

the cost of alzheimer’s in society extends far beyond treatment cost and patient quality of life. often overlooked is the impact of caregivers, who are required to limit their working hours or leave their jobs to provide for their loved ones. in 2011, canadian alzheimer caregivers provided 19.2 million hours of unpaid care, a figure projected to double by 2031. forty-five per cent of caregivers of seniors with dementia experience feelings of anger, depression, or unable to continue.

it’s not uncommon for alzheimer patients to experience changes in behavior including mood swings, feelings of depression, and instances of hallucinations. as a result, other neuropsychiatric conditions can co-exist , like depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder as alzheimer’s disease progresses. these conditions can advance to a point where they disrupt the individual’s daily functioning and can worsen the course of the disease.

resources and support available for alzheimer’s disease

while there’s no current cure for alzheimer’s disease, there are medications available to reduce the rate of cognitive decline, or help manage symptoms such as difficulty with language, cognitive skills, and physical mobility.

cognitive therapies and mental stimulation programs can also be used to manage an individual’s cognitive decline.

the alzheimer society of canada provides a wealth of information, resources, and support services for individuals with alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. they have both provincial and territorial branches to offer more localized information and services for individuals.

the dementia helpline is a toll-free number operated by the alzheimer’s society of canada. those affected by dementia can receive support in receiving the diagnosis, disease progression, maintaining independence, or providing care and support. the helpline also provides information on support groups and other resources available in your community.

• healthlink alberta
• healthlink bc
• mb telehealth
• telehealth newfoundland
• tele-care new brunswick
• tele-care nova scotia
• telehealth nunavut
• telehealth ontario
• telehealth pei
• info-santé quebec
• ehealth saskatchewan

the government of canada is actively developing a national dementia strategy to tackle the challenges posed by dementia, including alzheimer’s disease. the strategy aims to improve dementia care and support, enhance public awareness, and promote research.

alzheimer’s can have significant psychological effects on patients , such as depression, aggression, agitation, or psychosis. psychologists, psychiatrists, or other mental health professionals can offer counseling, therapy, and, if necessary, medication to support a patients’ mental well-being.

the future of alzheimer’s disease in canada

by 2050, it’s expected that more than 1.7 million canadians will be living with dementia — with an average of 685 individuals being diagnosed each day. over the next 30 years, it’s predicted that an estimated 6.3 million canadians will be diagnosed, live with, and eventually die from dementia.

• amyloid-targeted therapies: these types of treatments attach to and eliminate beta-amyloid, a protein that forms plaques in the brain. these treatments significantly impact the disease’s progression, especially for those in the initial stages, providing them with more time to live independently.
• immunotherapy: both passive and active immunotherapies, which are treatments that boost the immune system, have been found to work well in reducing harmful protein buildup and preventing disease progression in early tests.
• precision medicine: using markers like genes and images to diagnose and group patients based on the specific type of disease they have allows medical professionals to create personalized treatments and develop therapies that focus on the unique needs of each patient. targeted interventions can help slow the progression of the disease, better manage symptoms, and improve the overall quality of care.
• lifestyle interventions: research indicates that lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, stress management, sleep, and social interaction can influence brain health and significantly reduce an individual’s risk of developing dementia.

societal awareness and education also have a critical role to play in mitigating alzheimer’s disease. increased awareness helps individuals and their families recognize the early signs of alzheimer’s disease. while early detection allows medical intervention and support to begin sooner, potentially slowing down the disease’s progression and improving the quality of life for patients.

over the next two decades, canada’s senior population, aged 65 and older, is projected to increase by 68 per cent . with an aging population, the impact of alzheimer’s is expected to rise along with it, placing a growing strain on healthcare resources and caregivers alike. understanding the disease is essential to reducing stigma and enabling a more empathetic and supportive environment for those affected and their caregivers.