Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia steal life bit by bit from people with the disease, and, in a different way, from the families and loved ones caring for them.

Over the next 10 years, a 40% increase in the number of people with dementia will drive up the economic burden each year by $770 million in lost productivity, lost wages and healthcare services.

Family caregivers will be stretched to the maximum, offering 144 million hours of care by 2020, a 65% increase over the hours they spend today.

Demand for more services and more support will strain our already stretched healthcare resources. In the Throne Speech, the Ontario government told us that 20 years ago, 32 cents of every dollar spent on government programs were spent on health care. In 12 years, it could be 70 cents. Much of that will be because of dementia.

But Alzheimer's disease cannot steal our resolve to help those with dementia, and to find a cure.

The time for Ontario to act is NOW!

A new report from the Alzheimer Society of Ontario, 10 by 20: Ontario action plan for dementia, describes the growing economic and social burden of dementia.

It also suggests 10 action steps by 2020 to help decrease the number of people developing dementia and provide a better system of care to reduce the economic and social burden of dementia.

Now is the time to join us and speak up for the needs and rights of people living with dementia. Let your MPP know that you support the Ontario action plan for dementia.

Together, we can make a difference!

Gale Carey,
CEO Alzheimer Society of Ontario