With cases of dementia expected to reach 1 million by 2033, our White Paper proposes a framework to bend the curve downward through prevention, deceleration, and reversal of symptoms.

In this issue of our bulletin, we focus on prevention. Read more about our recommended prevention strategies below.

 

We will share our deceleration and reversal recommendations in our upcoming issues.

 

The framework integrates strategies for the prevention, deceleration, and reversal of symptoms throughout three levels of public health disease prevention practises and proposes services that should be delivered cost effectively within the health care system.

 

By focusing on disease prevention and health protection strategies, Canada can aim to reduce the growth in the number of persons diagnosed with dementia and therefore better align healthcare resources with predicted care requirements in the future.

 

Primary prevention: improving the overall health of the population

Improving the overall health of the population can be achieved through primary prevention strategies that aim to reduce the number of preventable diagnoses through education, regular proactive screening, risk mitigation and management in the general population.

RESEARCH FINDINGS

  • 56% of Canadians are concerned about being affected by Alzheimer’s disease & 46% of Canadians say they would be embarrassed to admit that they have dementia.[i]
  • 1 in 4 people think there is nothing we can do to prevent dementia, and
  • Almost 62% of healthcare practitioners worldwide incorrectly think that dementia is part of normal ageing.[ii]

INSIGHTS

  • Awareness, education, and prevention programs may not have been effective in changing understanding and perceptions about dementia

PREVENTION STRATEGIES

Primary prevention: reduction of preventable diagnoses

  • Make dementia prevention a national health priority
  • Petition governments to make biennial cognitive screening reminders mandatory for persons over 50 years old

SERVICE DELIVERY

Health promotion & disease prevention

  • Biennial cognitive screening in routine medical check-ups
  • Public education programs with strong calls to action

To read the complete version of the White Paper, click here.

 

[i] Alzheimer Society of Canada 2017 Awareness Survey Accessed online on 24 May 2021

[ii] Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) statistics.  https://www.alzint.org/about/dementia-facts-figures/dementia-statistics/ Accessed on 20 May 2021.