WHEREAS Alzheimers disease and other dementias are progressive, degenerative diseases of the brain that cause thinking and memory to become seriously impaired; AND WHEREAS Alzheimers disease and other dementias most often occur in people over the age of 65 but can strike adults at any age; AND WHEREAS Alzheimers disease and other dementias affect more than 500,000 Canadians currently and that this figure is projected to reach 1.1 million within a generation; AND WHEREAS Alzheimers disease and other dementias also takes their toll on hundreds of thousands of families and care partners; AND WHEREAS an estimated further three million Canadians face the burden and challenges of providing care for those suffering with Alzheimers disease and other dementias; AND WHEREAS there is no known cause or cure for this devastating illness; AND WHEREAS the cost related to the health care system is in the billions and only going to increase, at a time when our health care system is already facing enormous financial challenges; AND WHEREAS Canada, unlike many countries, does not have a national dementia strategy; AND WHEREAS there is an urgent need to plan and raise awareness and understanding about Alzheimers disease and other dementias for the sake of improving the quality of life of the people it touches; AND WHEREAS MP Claude Gravelle, Nickel Belt, has introduced Bill C-356 An Act Respecting a National Strategy for Dementia, as he works for broad, all party and non -partisan support for an issue that touches us all, and his legislation calls for a national plan that includes the development of strategies in primary health care, in health promotion and prevention of illness, in community development, in building community capacity and care partner engagement, investments in research and other advisory board, objectives, investment in research, and caregivers and more: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that all levels of government and the Federation of Municipalities adopt a national dementia strategy, and urge all citizens of our communities to become more aware and engaged concerning the far-reaching effects of this devastating disease.
Ministry of Health As the prevalence of dementia continues to rise worldwide, a number of countries have released national dementia strategies. Similarly, Provinces and Territories have developed or are in the process of developing a dementia strategyframework. At the federal level, the 2013 Speech from the Throne made a commitment to renew investments in health research to address the growing prevalence of dementia and related illnesses. Discussion of a national dementia strategy for Canada has gained some momentum; however, at this time, no decision has been made to proceed. At the May 2014 Conference of Deputy Ministers of Health, FederalProvincialTerritorial Deputy Ministers agreed to have a discussion on a national dementia strategy in the upcoming October 2, 2014, FederalProvincialTerritorial Ministers Meeting. Additionally, in November 2012, the Ministry of Health the Ministry launched its Dementia Action Plan: http:www.health.gov.bc.calibrarypublicationsyear2012dementia-action-pla… Notable accomplishments from the Dementia Action Plan include: - Updated HealthLink BC, SeniorsBC, and Home and Community Care websites and print resources with information on brain health, planning for healthy aging and living with dementia. - Expansion of the Alzheimer Society of BCs First Link Program, which provides connections to learning, services and support to individuals diagnosed with dementia and their families. - Health care providers who work in residential care facilities with people who have dementia are being trained with the P.I.E.C.E.S. program, which provides a systematic framework for detection, assessment and care planning using a person-centred approach. - The 486 Model of Care for hospitalized seniors is being used in hospitals across BC. The 486 model focuses on screening and assessment in six key care areas and the development of a personalized care plan in 48 hours. - A funding partnership is supporting a new BC Alzheimers Research Award and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health. The Ministry is now in the process of refreshing the Dementia Action Plan into a three-year plan, which is expected to be completed early in 2015 with implementation to begin in 201516. The refreshed plan will build on successes from the existing plan and align with priorities identified in the Ministrys key planning document, Setting Priorities for the BC Health System 2014. Based on a review of local and international best practices, a leading practice framework will be established to guide additional actions.
Minister of Health I recognize that Alzheimers disease and related dementias are complex and significant public health issues that profoundly affect many Canadians and their families. Addressing this issue requires innovative actions from government, industry, nongovernmental organizations and other partners. In December 2013, I attended the G8 Dementia Summit in London, England, which was dedicated to seeking a heightened level of international collaboration to face the global challenge of dementia. As a result, Canada has joined forces with our G7 partners to find a cure or disease modifying treatment for dementia by 2025 and to improve the quality of life for both those living with dementia, and their caregivers. As a follow-up to the G8 Summit, Canada and France co-hosted a Global Dementia Legacy Event held in Ottawa last fall to explore ways of increasing partnerships between industry and academia. At that time, I announced a series of new initiatives and investments highlighting our governments commitment to tackling dementia. The National Dementia Research and Prevention Plan, which I released at the Legacy Event, outlines many of these investments. The Plan, along with additional information on dementia, is available on the Healthy Canadians website at: http:healthycanadians.gc.cadiseases-conditions-maladies-affectionsdisea… First announced in Economic Action Plan 2014, as part of a 15-million investment in dementia research, the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging CCNA was launched on the eve of the Legacy Event. The CCNA will be the premier research hub for neurodegenerative diseases that affect cognition in aging and will support transformative research ideas to improve the lives of Canadians living with dementia. Research will focus on improving primary prevention, secondary prevention, and quality of life. At the Legacy Event, I also released the Governments report on findings from the National Population Health Study of Neurological Conditions. This study has improved our understanding of Alzheimers disease and other conditions, including the impacts on Canadians and their families, and risk factors for their development. The study was launched in 2009 with an investment of 15 million from the federal government. In addition, I announced our governments intention to work with the Alzheimer Society of Canada to establish a new program called Dementia Friends Canada. This unique program was originally launched in Japan as Dementia Supporters and more recently as Dementia Friends in the United Kingdom. Dementia Friends Canada will help individuals, communities, and businesses better understand what it means to live with dementia and how to better support those affected within the community. I have engaged my provincial and territorial counterparts in ongoing discussions on the issue of dementia and how we can collaborate. As a result of these discussions, we have agreed to work together to begin planning a pan-Canadian dementia strategy. I am committed to this partnership and to the work that we will do as governments to advance this plan. I know that many Canadian families are dealing with dementias devastating impacts and that their hopes for a cure rely on the success of research efforts. The federal government will continue to place a priority on research and work with our partners to bring its benefits to Canadians. We will continue to work with Canadas exemplary researchers, neurological health charities, and the provinces and territories to help address Alzheimers disease and related dementias.