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For
more information or interviews, please contact:
Tara Maher, Media Contact
Office:
416.847.2973, or 1.800.616.8816
Mobile: 416-669-5715
tmaher@alzheimer.ca |
The Alzheimer Society is Canada's leading nationwide health organization for people affected by Alzheimer's disease
or related dementias. 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 2009, the Society and its partners funded 31 new grants and training awards, totalling over $2.4 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 in research by the Alzheimer Society and its partners have paid off with considerable
advances over the past two decades, effectively placing Canadian scientists at the forefront of international
efforts. However, research remains the key to finding a cure. 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 dementia,
as well as to caregivers and family members, through extensive resource materials, workshops, seminars
and hundreds of support groups. The Society is also a leader in community care programs for health care
professionals.
- The Society's nationwide Safely Home® Registry helps police find people with Alzheimer's disease who have
become lost. People can register for Safely Home® at www.safelyhome.ca. 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 dementia, their families and caregivers.
Advocating for Change
As the national voice for people affected by 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.
- 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.
- In January 2010, the Alzheimer Society released a critical study that outlined the increasing prevalence and
economic impact of dementia in Canada over a period of 30 years. Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on
Canadian Society also demonstrates how intervention strategies can help lessen the burden of dementia on
Canadian society.
- The Alzheimer Society is recommending that the Government of Canada develop a comprehensive strategy
for research funding and care delivery. This strategy would need to encompass 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.
- The Society is one of four founding members of Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), an international federation of more than 70 Alzheimer associations from around the world.
- Through ADI, the Society is working to make dementia a global health priority, to raise awareness and
increase investments in research. Latest efforts culminated in the release of the 2009 World Alzheimer Report,
which provides updated information on the prevalence and impact of the disease and offers a framework for
solutions.
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