National Dementia Strategy

Canadians repeatedly tell us they want better integrated dementia care and support. According to a recent Nanos survey, 83% of Canadians reported they believe Canada needs a national dementia plan. We need a comprehensive, workable national dementia strategy that dramatically improves the lives of people living with dementia.

By 2031, 1.4 million Canadians will have dementia. That’s less than 20 years away. A national dementia strategy will help overcome the growing crisis in dementia care by coordinating all national efforts in Alzheimer’s research, clinical care, institutional, and home- and community-based programs.

Canada trails the United States, France, Australia, the UK, and other countries that already have strategies.

What is a national dementia strategy and why do we need one?

The principles of strong research, caregivers, care providers, early intervention and a continuum of care are common in almost all jurisdictions. These principles, based on models from other countries and some Canadian provinces, will help guide Canada in constructing its own national dementia strategy.

The Alzheimer Society is proposing a Canadian solution to curb the soaring economic, social and personal impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. We recommend a Canadian Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Partnership be created as a government funded arms-length entity that would facilitate the development and implementation of a fully comprehensive national dementia strategy.

Provincially-designed policies and programs have led to gaps in how dementia is dealt with across the country. National guidelines would ensure all Canadians reap the benefits of policies and programs related to dementia.

Additional resources

Frequently asked questions around a national dementia strategy

Business case for a national dementia strategy compelling, reposted with permission from The Hill Times (March 2015)

The Alzheimer Society of Canada welcomes Health Minister Rona Ambrose’s announcement that she and her provincial and territorial counterparts agree to collaborate on a national dementia strategy (October 2014)

The Federal Government announces its commitment to renew investments in health research to tackle dementia and related illnesses, Speech from the Throne (October 2013)

Alzheimer Society of Canada CEO Mimi Lowi-Young’s speech to the Economic Club of Canada calling on the Federal Government to establish a Canadian Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Partnership (September 2013)