Ontario’s Dementia Strategy
Originally posted @allaboutestates.ca
Over the last many years I have shared many blogs on the crisis of dementia. It is a disease that impacts everyone and with science helping us to live longer, we need to appreciate that for some, they may feel that they are not living at all. I have discussed both the economic and financial cost to providing care to a loved one with dementia that impacts our work, our lives, our health care system and our economy. Last week’s blog highlighted recommendations from the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology titled: Canadian Dementia in Canada: Developing A National Strategy for Dementia-friendly Communities.
Today’s blog highlights Ontario’s discussion paper on developing a dementia strategy, with the goal to “ensure that people with dementia and their care partners:
-are treated with respect;
– have access to information that allows them to make the best possible choices regarding their health and well-being; and
-are living well with dementia, helped by appropriate services and supports where and when they need them.”
Let’s start with the bad news:
“It is estimated that about 228,000 Ontarians are living with dementia. As Ontario’s population ages, it is expected that these numbers will rise to 255,000 people in 2020 and over 430,000 people by 2038.” The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care project that between “2008 and 2038, dementia is projected to cost Ontario close to $325 billion.”
So what’s the good news? Well we are making some progress. Through a consultation process, six themes have been identified that should hopefully guide a Provincial dementia strategy. These themes include:
“-supports for people living with dementia;
-accessing dementia services;
-coordinated care;
-supports for care partners;
-well trained dementia workforce; and
-awareness, stigma and brain health”
Public consultations are now complete. The next phase is to see a fully funded dementia strategy included in the Ontario 2017 budget.
The best news? You can still get involved http://actionfordementia.ca
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