It is still Alzheimers Awareness Month and for those of you who have been following my blogs for the last many years, dementia awareness is very important to me.
On October 31 2022, my colleague Sasha Adler blogged about the Canadian Dementia Strategy and shared CanAge’s report card.
Today I would like to expand on this topic and share an important podcast that was recently released (January 18, 2023) on ‘Matters Beyond Wealth’, titled ‘the race to deal with dementia in Canada’. Leanne Kaufman, CEO of Royal Trust interviews Laura Tamblyn Watts, CEO of CanAge, regarding their research findings on how prepared (or not) Canada is in dealing with the anticipated numbers of those who will develop dementia. This report is an eye opener and sadly we have such along way to go!
Research for a cure is one thing. Learning to live with dementia is something else. Supporting individuals and families, educating the community at large and developing an infrastructure for life long support, including respite care, transportation, socialization, purposeful activity and routine, affordable housing, access to medical care and financial supports are all critical components that continue to require and deserve our constant attention.
Happy Year of the Rabbit, good fortune, good health and safe journey to all.
2 Comments
Dr. Evelyn C. Adams
January 23, 2023 - 9:40 pmSome of the ways to try to live a long life without memory loss and loss of cognition is to follow the guidelines for simple living. The literature available that deals with nutrition, exercise, rest, sleep, effectual methods to deal with life stressors is not getting sufficient attention –or maybe people do not believe it or just cannot or will not try to have healthy habits of nutrition, work, sleep, rest, exercise and coping mechanisms. We need to ask: How can we get through to everyone? How do we reach the general population when we live in an “instant desire/gratification ” time?
Fast food=faster death. Let us learn about “slow food” without the preservatives, sulfites and sulfates. The safe number of alcoholic drinks per day is a must to follow unless one is ok with a failed liver and kidneys.
Christina M Grabbe
January 24, 2023 - 1:24 amThank you for sharing that great podcast Audrey!