WELLINGTON COUNTY – Raising awareness and advocating is at the forefront of the Alzheimer Society of Canada’s mission, as a dementia care crisis grows at a rapid rate, with little help to support patients and care workers alike.
The Landmark Study, recently released by the society, shares data which was modelled to forecast the nation’s future with dementia.
“What we are starting to see, and it’s happening quite quickly, is the prevalence or the number of people living with dementia now is increasing at an alarming rate,” stated Michelle Martin, chief executive officer of the Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington (ASWW).
According to the study, nearly one in five Canadians aged 65 and older is living with some form of dementia.
“That number is projected to rise dramatically in the coming years, with an estimated 1.7 million people expected to be living with dementia by 2050,” the study states.
In Waterloo Wellington, the situation “mirrors” the national trend, with more than 16,500 currently living with dementia. That number is expected to double in the next two decades.
The study highlighted the “growing numbers of dementia but it also focused on health equity,” Martin told the Advertiser.
“Living with dementia can be a very isolating experience and also the majority of people … require care partners or people to help support them in their care,” she said.
The average care partner provides 26 hours of unpaid personal care to support a person living with dementia at home.
“What that does is put a real pressure need on our services because care partners are burnt out and completely overwhelmed,” Martin explained.
“We see a demand for our counseling services increase exponentially, as well as our support groups.”
The study estimates that across Canada more than 500,000 people are serving as unpaid caregivers to their loved ones.
“The majority of our support, about 80 per cent, goes directly to supporting the care partners because what we find is the more resilient, the more educated and happy … a care partner is, the better they are able to care for their loved one at home.”
The increasing strain has led to negative impacts on mental, physical and financial well-being.
“We just can’t keep up with the demand, the numbers are just staggering,” Martin said.
“We want to get the word out there so the health care system can pay attention, and put in some resources that support people living with dementia.”
As a way to battle the rising numbers, the Alzheimer Society has been advocating across Canada with educational groups, universities and colleges.
The goal is to encourage more dementia education in the school curriculum because “health care providers are coming out of school and they are just not prepared to be able to support someone with complex needs.”
Last year, the society created an ASO Advocacy College course designed to turn concerned staff, clients and the general public into effective advocates to help build a more dementia friendly Ontario.
Participants learn:
- what advocacy is and why the society advocates;
- planning advocacy goals;
- navigating the political system through audience targeting and strategic advocacy communications;
- organizing effective meetings with decision-makers (MPPs); and
- being an assertive and resilient advocate.
“It’s about clear messaging and clear asks,” Martin stated. “Reach out to your local Alzheimer Society and get matched up with educators.”
Another way to spread awareness is community events, and the society’s largest fundraiser is just around the corner.
The 2025 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s will take place on May 24 in four locations: Guelph, Mount Forest, Cambridge and Kitchener.
“It’s really important because the society has to fundraise for 40% of its operating budget, that’s the shortfall between the government funding and the demand,” Martin said.
The national awareness event works by bringing together individuals, families and communities to support the 19,000 people living with dementia in the region, stated officials.
Walk registration will begin at 12pm with the walk following at 1pm.
“No amount is too small,” Martin said.
Last year, the walk raised $135,000 and this year the goal is to reach $145,000.
To register, donate or for more information, visit the society’s event page at alzheimerww.ca.
