Recent Alzheimer's research has raised significant concerns about the preparedness of Canada’s healthcare system to handle the increasing prevalence of the disease and the advancements in treatment. Dr. Jaspreet Bhangu highlighted that as Canada's population ages, Alzheimer’s disease is becoming more prevalent. Currently, over 700,000 Canadians are affected by Alzheimer’s or some type of dementia, with projections indicating a rise to over a million by 2030 and nearly 1.8 million by 2050.
A new report from the Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO) indicates that early diagnosis and access to testing for Alzheimer’s remain inconsistent across the province. The report reveals a gap in the timely diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, which could prevent individuals from accessing emerging therapies that have shown potential in slowing cognitive and functional decline during clinical trials.
According to the report, challenges such as long wait times for cognitive assessments, limited access to necessary diagnostic tools, and a lack of coordinated care create significant barriers. As a result, families may miss critical timelines to obtain new treatments that could be beneficial for early-stage patients.
Cathy Barrick, CEO of ASO, emphasized the urgent need for changes in the healthcare system to enable earlier diagnoses. She stated that access to funded diagnostic tools, such as cerebrospinal fluid testing and blood-based biomarker tests, should be prioritized, along with the integration of brain health into standard healthcare practices.
Personal accounts from caregivers underscore the emotional toll of the disease. Lee Laforest, a resident of Innisfil, shared her experience as a caregiver for her husband, who suffered from dementia before his passing. She described the experience as a slow and painful loss, noting, “They say it’s the longest goodbye for a reason, because every single day a piece of them goes away.”
Laforest observed the first signs of her husband’s illness when he began to forget regular tasks, an experience that transformed her life into one of constant vigilance and sleepless nights. “When you are a caregiver for someone with dementia, you don’t sleep at all. You sleep with one eye open,” she recounted.
Following her husband's death, Laforest has dedicated herself to advocating for caregivers, working with the ASO to inform families about dementia, assist in overcoming challenges, and connect them with supportive communities. “It’s not their fault, and it’s not your fault. This is a disease of the brain, and it’s a chronic condition,” Laforest explained. She aims to help others understand how to navigate the disease, saying, “If I can help somebody understand that your person living with dementia can no longer live in our world, and help you figure out how you now live in theirs… that’s the biggest thing I could ever do.”
The ASO report warns that without immediate action, Ontario's healthcare system risks exacerbating the current crisis, leaving caregivers like Laforest to bear the burden. Early diagnosis, support, and investment are immediate necessities for families coping with the challenges of Alzheimer's disease.
