Alzheimer Society applauds House of Commons passing of motion calling for
increased government support

OTTAWA, Dec. 13 /CNW/ - The Alzheimer Society of Canada applauds a motion passed Friday by the House of Commons calling on the Federal Government to "address the rising financial and human costs of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in Canada."

"This is great news for Canadians," says Debbie Benczkowski, CEO, Alzheimer Society of Canada. "This motion is the first step towards a much needed National Brain Strategy. Federal support and recognition of the scope of the problem means we have the potential to improve the lives of more than 500,000 Canadians diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia."

According to the Alzheimer Society's recent report, Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society, someone in Canada develops dementia every five minutes. In a generation, this will increase to a new case every two minutes. If nothing changes, this sharp increase in the number of people living with dementia will mean that by 2038, the total costs associated with dementia will reach $153 billion a year. This amounts to a massive cumulative total of $872 billion over a 30-year period."

Benczkowski adds that she was heartened to see all parties come together to support the motion tabled by James Rajotte, Conservative MP for Edmonton-Leduc. "Alzheimer's disease touches so many people and causes immeasurable distress for Canadian families."

The Alzheimer Society is the leading, nationwide health organization for people affected by dementia in Canada. The Society is a principal funder of Alzheimer research and training, provides enhanced care and support to people with the disease, their families and their caregivers, and is a prominent voice for them within all levels of government. Active in more than 150 communities across Canada, the Society is also a founding member of Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), an organization at the forefront of worldwide efforts to fight dementia of which it is a founding member. The Society will be hosting ADI's 26^th annual conference in Toronto from March 26 to 29, 2011 world conference.

For further information:

Eric Lamoureux
Director, Public Policy
Alzheimer Society of Canada
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.alzheimer.ca