The rising tide of dementia in Canada: Facing the critical challenge by 2025

The rising tide of dementia in Canada: Facing the critical challenge by 2025

On September 17, 2015, Drs. Carole Estabrooks and Howard Feldman convened the 10th Annual Forum of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) on the topic of dementia in Canada. The Academy is a unique Canadian organization that brings together a breadth of expertise and scholarship across a broad view of health, including social scientists, biomedical researchers, health care practitioners, and technology experts. Fora and their follow-up activities often produce important outputs including publications that can serve to inform public…

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Planning for incapacity – what you need to know

Planning for incapacity – what you need to know

If you can’t decide, who will decide for you? One in 10 Ontarians over the age of 65 will develop Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, yet less than 1/3 of Canadians have made legal arrangements to ensure their care. The Alzheimer Society of Ontario has partnered with the Ontario Bar Association to promote Make a Will Month in November, encouraging Ontarians to make a will now so they can rest assured later. Planning for incapacity is like purchasing insurance. It…

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If my mother had Alzheimer’s, should I go for testing?

If my mother had Alzheimer’s, should I go for testing?

This is a difficult question because while it is known that Alzheimer’s disease is highly inheritable, meaning that it can cluster in families, there are only a few gene abnormalities that definitively cause the disease (i.e., if you inherit it, it will be almost certain that you will get the disease). These are mutations in genes called Amyloid Precursor Protein, Presenilin 1 and Presenilin 2, with Presenilin 1 mutations being the most frequent. While these are important genes implicated in…

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What do you want YOUR legacy to be?

What do you want YOUR legacy to be?

For those of us working for a charity, the word “legacy” means a thoughtful charitable gift, a gift left in your Will. But there could be another meaning: how did you show up in the world? In other words, aside from the dollars distributed from your estate, how do you want to be remembered? What do you want YOUR legacy to be? How do you show up in the world? Most of us strive to be the best possible person…

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What is Aphasia?

What is Aphasia?

Imagine trying to tell someone where you are hurt or how you feel, but you can’t find the words or phrases to get across what you are trying to say. How would this impact your relationships with friends and family and all the other aspects of life where communication is essential? This condition – when someone knows what he or she wants to say but cannot express it – is called aphasia. Aphasia is most often the result of stroke…

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My grandparents brain healthly lifestyle inspired me

My grandparents brain healthly lifestyle inspired me

I was in my late teens when I decided to move in with my grandparents. I thought it would be something new and they were aspiring vegans with a great vegetable garden. They lived in a retirement community and, being the youngest person to take residence there, I caused quite a stir. Nevertheless, I took over their spare room and immersed myself in the life of a retiree. They started every day with a smoothie, full of healthy fats, fruits…

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Your research questions answered

Your research questions answered

During World Alzheimer’s Month, we invited people to tell us what they would ask an Alzheimer’s researcher if they bumped into one on the street. Now, we have answers from Dr. Melissa Andrew, MD, PhD, Dalhousie University, who chairs the quality of life panel for the Alzheimer Society Research Program. Stay tuned for more of your questions answered throughout the year. Are we any nearer to understanding the cause of this disease today than we were 20 years ago? A…

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This election, support a National Dementia Strategy

This election, support a National Dementia Strategy

On October 19, 2015 the Canadian federal election will be held. And we want to reaffirm that every vote matters. On May 6 of this year, our chance for a national dementia strategy becoming enshrined into Canadian law through MP Claude Gravelle’s private member’s bill C-356 was sadly defeated 140-139. Yes, by one vote. When we hear about people who think votes don’t matter it’s disheartening, because regardless of context, every vote matters. Right now, each one of us gets…

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Greetings from ASRP researchers visiting Dublin, Ireland!

Greetings from ASRP researchers visiting Dublin, Ireland!

We are three trainees supported by the Alzheimer Society Research Program (ASRP) – Emma is working on her PhD, and David and Jen are both postdoctoral researchers (they’ve finished their PhDs and are continuing on with their research training and careers). Most of the time, this means we are in our labs or offices, working on our research projects. However, this past week, we were fortunate to be among the handful of Canadians selected to take part in the Centre…

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Design tips for a dementia-friendly home

Design tips for a dementia-friendly home

The DSDC International Dementia Conference in Birmingham England this year will be a great place to share ideas, and carers and people with dementia are welcome. The Alzheimer Society of Canada’s Mary Schulz is on the programme and we look forward to hearing from friends from around the world. At the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC), we do what we can to help families by providing information about what works and makes a difference. There is a lot that can…

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