Monday, August 25, 2014
Alzheimer Society of Perth County
Alzheimer Society of Perth County to Be Represented at G8 Dementia Summit in Ottawa
Two young women from the Alzheimer Society of Perth County will be among 10 young leaders representing Canada at the Global Action Against Dementia (GAAD) Canada-France Legacy Event in Ottawa Sept. 11-12. Amanda Schwartzentruber, First Link Counsellor, and Lauren Fink, Summer Student Intern, have been invited by the British High Commission to participate in a discussion series looking at innovative ideas to address dementia. Debbie Deichert, Executive Director of the Society said “This is a tremendous opportunity for Amanda and Lauren to attend this G8 dementia event. We are so pleased that Amanda and Lauren will be two of the ten young leaders representing Canada. The Alzheimer Society of Perth County is very fortunate to have such highly skilled and dedicated people advocating on behalf of people living with dementia.”
The Legacy Event is intended to raise awareness of the UK G8 Dementia Summit and its Legacy, and create a network of people under age 30 who can make an important contribution to the work of the UK-initiated World Dementia Council. The aim is to bring together young leaders from the G8 countries and give them the opportunity to develop innovative ideas to support the ongoing work of the World Dementia Council (WDC), and to create a sustainable global network which will continue to address the challenges presented by dementia.
Three of the G8 member countries already have national dementia plans – France, the UK and the United States. Canada is lagging behind. We believe the Federal Government has a leadership role to play in the development of a comprehensive and integrated national dementia plan. We also recognize that health-care delivery is a provincial responsibility, so the provinces also need to be part of the solution. The Alzheimer Society wants to make sure that all Canadians affected by dementia, no matter where they live, are getting the appropriate and same standard of care and support based on research evidence and best practice.
Key facts:
- Today, 747,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
- By 2031, this number will increase to 1.4 million
- Alzheimer’s disease is the leading form of dementia, accounting for over two-thirds of all dementia cases in Canada today
- Women make up almost three-quarters of all Canadians living with Alzheimer’s disease
- Age remains the biggest risk factor for dementia; the risk doubles every five years after age 65
- Dementia also affects people under 65
- Brain changes leading to dementia can occur up to 25 years before symptoms appear
- There is still no cure for Alzheimer’s disease; available medications only help to manage the symptoms
- With care, support and information through the Alzheimer Society, people with dementia can and do live well
Media Contact:
Debbie Deichert
Executive Director
519-271-1910 ext 24
ddeichert@alzheimerperthcounty.com
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