Quebec, like the rest of Canada and the world, is facing an imminent crisis in health and social services due to the growing number of people living with neurocognitive disorders—“dementia”—and chronic diseases. Poor nutrition is a major factor contributing significantly to this crisis.
- According to the Quebec Federation of Alzheimer’s Societies, neurocognitive disorders will affect more than 170,000 people in Quebec by 2024, and it is estimated that there will be more than 30,000 new cases each year.
- Limited access to food is a growing problem in Quebec. The Quebec Food Bank Network released a study indicating that the network responded to 2.9 million requests per month in 2024. This figure will reach 3.22 million per month in 2027, representing an increase of more than 320,000 requests over the next three years. The study thus forecasts an increase of 5.19% in 2026 and 4.23% in 2027.
Current trends are on an unsustainable trajectory. This trajectory can be reversed if appropriate prevention and education strategies are implemented.
- According to research by the Lancet Commission, approximately 45% of cases of neurocognitive disorders could be the result of fourteen key modifiable risk factors. If all these risk factors could be modified, up to 45% of dementia cases could be delayed or prevented. The modifiable factors are:
physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, air pollution, head trauma, infrequent social contact, lack of education, depression, hearing loss, and vision loss.
It is worth noting that the first seven risk factors for dementia can be modified through access to food as well as healthy eating habits.
The Healthy Eating. Healthy Brain. and Mindful Eating for a Healthy Brain programs were developed by Hope for Dementia with the goal of improving the health and quality of life of vulnerable individuals through a supportive approach and a sustainable solution.
These programs empower participants to take charge of their health through resources provided during cooking workshops and the distribution of boxes filled with food and recipes. This approach offers a sustainable solution to a growing problem.
Over 15,000 brain-healthy meals have been provided from food baskets delivered by Hope for Dementia to vulnerable seniors and their families in the past 5 years.
By adopting an approach that combines food assistance and education, these programs aim to mitigate the risks of dementia and preventable chronic diseases, which, if left unchecked, will continue to strain an already overburdened healthcare and social services system.
Explore Hope for Dementia’s resources on healthy nutrition, and consider making a donation today to help keep our nutrition programs running. Your support helps more people and families receive the education, food, and encouragement they deserve.
