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Much was made of the announcement from Statistics Canada that seniors outnumber Canadians under the age of 14 for the first time in the country’s history. Among other consequences cited, one that becomes clear is that, barring any major medical breakthrough, much more of the population will be living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Dementia already affects over 700,000 Canadians with that number projected to double by 2031. The healthcare system is already struggling to handle the current population of seniors with dementia, so the thought of doubling that figure is somewhat troubling and maybe even alarming.
Our healthcare system is already being strained to the tune of over $30 billion a year. With some estimates anticipating that number to skyrocket to nearly $300 billion in the next quarter century something must be done.
Read More: Planning the care for a patient with alzheimer’s or dementia