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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
Rising Tide – The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society
The population of Canada continues to age dramatically as the baby boomers reach 60. Alzheimer's disease is the second most feared disease by Canadians as we age. Alzheimer's disease and related dementias have also for the past decade been the subject of increasing focus around the globe. Australia, Scotland, United Kingdom, France, United States and the European Parliament have all taken steps to study dementia and its impact, both social and economic. Many have chosen to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority. We hope Canada takes these steps soon.
To assist in the understanding of this complex issue, the Alzheimer Society undertook a study to evaluate the impact of dementia on Canadian society.
- This project, Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society, was conducted by RiskAnalytica, a leading firm in risk management. Through their specialized Life at Risk® evaluation framework, combined with the Alzheimer Society's extensive network of leading researchers and clinicians, the Society has been able to determine the current and future extent of health and economic impacts of dementia in Canada over the next 30 years.
- The project will be completed in 2009, but important powerful data on the prevalence of dementia have been confirmed as the first piece of information generated from Rising Tide. This information confirms the need to act now.
- Additionally, working with the Alzheimer Society and its network of experts, RiskAnalytica will evaluate "what-if" scenarios that simulate the health and economic outcomes associated with key interventions.
- RiskAnalytica is using a variety of methodological approaches to meet these objectives. Literature and data review, data analysis and validation of data inputs, dementia patient continuum mapping, and consultation with leading subject-matter experts are being used to compile the various input variables needed for the evaluation work.
- The knowledge gained through this process will provide an evidence-based foundation from which to build a national plan aimed at managing dementia, and directing health expenditures towards activities that have the greatest potential to maximize quality of life and support individuals and families, while reducing institutionalization and overall health costs.
- Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society was made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada (Health Canada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Public Health Agency of Canada) and Pfizer Canada Inc.
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