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[Please
note that the material on this page was current when
it was first posted. For up-to-date information on this
topic, visit the Alzheimer
Care and Alzheimer's Disease sections.]
Alzheimer's Disease: Facing the Millennium Media Kit
Jan.
3, 2000
Media
Release
For
immediate release
Jan. 3, 2000
For
more information:
Debbie Krulicki, Manager, Media Relations and Communications,
Alzheimer Society of Canada -- (416)488-8772 or pr@alzheimer.ca
Bulge
of baby boomers could spark Alzheimer's disease crisis
warns Alzheimer Society
An
Alzheimer's disease crisis is looming unless we act now
to forestall it. That's the sobering millennium forecast
from the Alzheimer Society of Canada. The crisis could
start developing as Canada's baby boomers enter the years
of highest risk for Alzheimer's disease.
"This
country is going to be faced with an unprecedented demand
for Alzheimer care, treatments and services," says
Steve Rudin, Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society
of Canada. "And we'd better prepare for it now,
before it gets beyond our ability to help."
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disorder with no known
cause or cure. Over 300,000 Canadians, or one in 13 over
the age of 65, currently have Alzheimer's disease and related
dementias. This number will more than double within the
next 30 years, with as many as three-quarters of a million
Canadians affected. Because of the sharp increase in
the numbers of aging baby boomers, this group will likely
be the hardest hit.
Women
are in double jeopardy. They account for two-thirds of
all those over 65 with Alzheimer's disease. Also, 70% of
all caregivers are women. In an era where more women
work outside the home, fewer will be at home to provide
the kind of round-the-clock care this disease requires.
Says
Rudin, "We all have a role to play: the Society,
the public and the federal government. We must establish
a national home care program and make Alzheimer research
a high priority."
The
Society is a leading funder of Alzheimer research in
Canada, committing over $1 million yearly; however "more
research dollars are needed to fight this disease that's
costing Canadians over $3.9 billion a year," says
Rudin. Biomedical research is critical to uncover the
cause and cure of Alzheimer's disease. Psychosocial research
provides a basis for improving Alzheimer diagnosis, caregiving
and service delivery.
To
prepare everyone for the coming wave, the Alzheimer Society
has published a brochure outlining ways to help those
hit hardest by the disease. The brochure titled, Ways
to Help: Assisting Families Living with Alzheimer Disease,
discusses the importance of keeping in touch, giving
caregivers a break, lending a compassionate ear, and
learning more about Alzheimer's disease and its impact
on families. The brochure also encourages Canadians to
volunteer at their local Alzheimer Society, make a donation
to fund Alzheimer research, and organize Alzheimer Coffee
Breaks™, at work or at home, to raise funds for
Society programs and services.
Through
a nationwide network of provincial and local organizations,
the Alzheimer Society operates support and educational
programs for people with Alzheimer's disease and their
caregivers, and funds research. The Society's programs
are funded primarily by donations from caring Canadians.
Copies
of Ways to Help: Assisting Families Living with Alzheimer Disease are available from local
Alzheimer Societies across Canada. The information
is also on the Society's Web site, www.alzheimer.ca.
Back
to the Media Kit introduction page.
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