Dementia significantly impacts the lives of many Canadians, particularly for older adults and their caregivers. Canadians of all ages need to be knowledgeable about dementia, have access to information and support to lower their risk and acknowledge their role in combating stigma surrounding dementia.
In this episode we are joined with 3 esteemed guests; Dr. Samir Sinha, Dr. Jane Rylett and Claire Webster, share their wealth of knowledge in research, policy and practice to help us better understand Dementia in Canada.
We had such a comprehensive and informative discussion with our guests that we've decided to release this podcast as a two-part episode.
In part 1, you will learn some alarming facts about Dementia, including;
- approximately half a million older adults in Canada were living with a diagnosis of dementia in 2023/24, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, and
- the Alzheimer Society of Canada estimates this number could approach 772,000 in 2025 and by 2050 could reach to possibly 1.7 million Canadians with nearly 1 million care partners needed to support them.
But we can be proactive in changing these projections by becoming more knowledgeable of the modifiable risk factors that are associated with delaying or preventing dementia. All of us can play a role in challenging the associated stigma, stereotypes and discrimination associated with the disease that often inhibit people from seeking a diagnosis, medical care and support services.
Be sure to listen to Episode 19 for PART 2 of our Dementia and Canada conversation.
Until next time - Stay Vibrant!
______________________________
Episode Resources :
Websites:
National Institute on Ageing www.niageing.ca
Carecrosswalk Inc. https://www.carecrosswalk.com
McGill Universityhttps://www.mcgill.ca/dementia
Robarts Research Institute at Western University https://www.robarts.ca/research/scientists/rylett_jane.html
CIHR Institute of Aging https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/8671.html
Reports :
National Institute on Aging (NIA) Report: Adressing Dementia in Canada: Raising Awareness, Challenging Stigma and Reducing Our Risk
Canada's National Dementia Strategy Alzheimer Society of Canada: Navigating the Path Forward for Dementia in Canada: The Landmark Study
Alzheimer Society of Canada: The Many Faces of Dementia in Canada: The Landmark Study Report #2
The World Alzheimer Report 2021: Journey through the diagnosis of dementia The World Alzheimer Report 2022: Life after diagnosis: Navigating treatment, care and support
Resources :
NIA Webinar: Addressing Dementia in Canada: Raising Awareness, Challenging Stigma and Reducing Our Risk Infographic: Dementia in Canada Including Alzheimer disease. Government of Canada (2024)
McGill Cares Webcastwww.mcgill.ca/dementia/resources/mcgill-cares-webcasts
Dementia Companion Guide (available in 14 languages) https://www.mcgill.ca/dementia/resources/dementia-your-companion-guide
Dementia Education for Care PartnersFree online course that consists of ten self-guided modules. It includes expert advice, shared experiences from participants, and solutions to the challenges of being a care partner in the context of dementia. https://www.mcgill.ca/dementia/resources/dementia-education-care-partners
______________________________
About our Guests :
Dr. Samir Sinha is a Geriatrician and Clinician Scientist at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto, a Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto, the Director of Health Policy Research at Toronto Metropolitan University's National Institute on Ageing, as well as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the Royal Society of Medicine.
Dr. Sinha is a highly regarded international expert in the care of older adults. As a current member of its Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia he helped to develop Canada's National Dementia Strategy and recently led the successful development of Canada's new National Long-Term Care Services Standard. ___
Dr. Jane Rylett is a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Western Ontario and scientist in translational Neurosciences Group at the Robarts Research Institute. She was appointed as the Scientific Director of the Canadian Institute of Health Research's Institute of Aging in August 2019 and is an elected fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. She is the past Chair of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Western University.
She is a cellular and molecular neurobiologist studying the consequences of age-related changes in brain and neurodegenerative diseases and recognized internationally for her contributions in the studies on cholinergic neurobiology and Alzheimer disease and has worked within the Alzheimer community for many years. ___
Claire Webster is a Certified Dementia Care Consultant and Certified Professional consultant on Aging, and a conference speaker and educator in the field of caring for individuals living with Dementia. As a former care partner for her late mother who had Alzheimer Disease, Claire has lived experience on the impact of this illness on the person living with Dementia and the ripple effect on Family members.
Clair works in collaboration with the Division of Medicine and Faculty of Health Sciences at McGill University where she is the Founder and Ambassador of the McGill Dementia Education Program and McGill Cares, a webcast series designed to support family care partners. She is also the founding President of the Caregiver Crosswalk Inc., a consulting firm that provides education and support services to help individuals navigate the journey of Alzheimer's disease and dementia related illnesses.
She also is one of the McGill Senior Co-Editors of Alzheimer's Disease International's World Reports Alzheimer Report for both 2021 and 2022. She is a Member of the Government of Canada's Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia.
______________________________
CREDITS:
Producer: Lisa Widdifield
Editor: Todd Miller, The Podcast Experts
Co-Host: Tom Warner, Member of Aging Vibrantly Podcast Advisory Committee,
Music: Redpath Audio
We want to thank HelpAge Canada for their financial support to produce this Season's podcast.
______________________________
Stay Connected :
Please rate, review and subscribe to Aging Vibrantly wherever you get your podcast. If you prefer to view this or other interviews, full episodes are posted on Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario's YouTube Channel. Be sure to check us out.
We have also launched a new listener feedback survey - we want to hear your comments and suggestions - Your opinion matters to us! So take a moment to fill in our Listener Feedback survey now - you will find the link in our show notes!www.surveymonkey.com/r/Podcast_Listener_Feedback
To learn more resources on abuse prevention and protecting the rights and dignity of older adults, visit our website eapon.ca
Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as constituting or implying endorsement by EAPO of any entity, product, service or organization mentioned, referenced, or linked.
