Hon. Catherine S. Callbeck:

Honourable senators, this item stands adjourned in Senator Mercer's name. He has agreed that I speak on it to today and that it be adjourned in his name.

Honourable senators, I am pleased to take part in the debate on this inquiry, which calls the attention of the Senate to the impact of dementia on Canadian society. I commend Senator Carstairs for initiating debate and discussion on this growing issue. We all know the important work she has contributed on palliative care. We know by the comprehensive report by the Special Senate Committee on Aging the in-depth examination that she, as chair, and the other members of the committee made. She is a tremendous advocate for seniors here in this chamber and across the country.

Last week, on World Alzheimer's Day, Alzheimer's Disease International released its most recent statistics and projections. By 2050, the worldwide costs of dementia will reach a staggering US$604 billion for this year alone. The ADI predicts that as people live longer, the number of individuals with dementia will double every 20 years, growing to 66 million by 2030, and to 115 million by 2050.

Here at home, it is estimated that half a million Canadians have Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia today. That number is expected to increase substantially. Dementia is largely age-related, and people are living longer and the aging population is growing. As Senator Carstairs noted in her speech, the Alzheimer's Society estimates that the number of Canadians suffering from Alzheimer's disease or related dementias will increase from 500,000 to 1.1 million within a generation.

Honourable senators, many of us have had the experience of a family member or friend affected by dementia. My mother had Alzheimer's, so I know from first-hand experience the various stages that one goes through. It is a sad and tragic experience for everyone involved.

Dementia is especially sad and tragic because there is no cure. We do not fully understand the cause. We need to know more about the cause, and we need to continue to search for a cure and develop new ways to provide care.

The recent report by the Alzheimer Society of Canada entitled Rising Tide: the Impact of Dementia in Canada, paints a bleak picture of the future. As I said, the number of people affected by dementia will double to more than a million people within a generation. The economic costs — direct health costs, foregone wages of unpaid caregivers, and other indirect costs — of dealing with the disease are forecast to increase from $15 billion now to $153 billion by 2038. The time that people will provide informal care is expected to increase to 756 million hours from 231 million hours at present. These costs are some of the staggering costs that we face as a society.

In my home province, the number of Islanders diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other dementias will also double by 2038. The total cost of dementia will be more than $3.4 billion over the next 30 years.

The Alzheimer's Society of P.E.I. has been doing what it can to help. The society offer a speakers' bureau, through which staff and volunteers raise awareness of this disease and the people it affects. Some of these speakers are individuals with Alzheimer's, and they offer a unique perspective on the challenges they face. The society also offers resources for families and caregivers, including publications, telephone support, support groups, and a day respite program.

This issue is indeed a serious one. As the report points out, there is an urgent need for immediate action by all Canadians. Maintaining the status quo is not an option, the report says. We must take action today. That is why I so strongly support and endorse this inquiry.

Behind these numbers, however, there is a much more significant cost. That is the human cost associated with those people who are affected by dementia. There are social costs over and above medical and treatment costs. The social costs are reflected in the stigma, isolation and loss of autonomy faced by those with dementia.

By calling attention to the impact of dementia, this inquiry helps to bring its impact to the attention of more and more Canadians. Hopefully, by talking about it, there will be a greater willingness to address the issues associated with it, and to develop new ways to support individuals and the families affected by it. Far too many people, including professionals, family members and caregivers, do not know enough about dementia, what it means and how to deal with it. I hope this inquiry will help contribute to a greater awareness, knowledge and understanding of how we can safeguard and enhance the lives of those affected by dementia.

In my view, the goal should be to help people who are affected by dementia to live as normal a life as possible, for as long as possible, and to receive the appropriate supports that will enable them to do so.

To that end, the Rising Tide report makes a number of significant recommendations for a national dementia strategy.

First is the need for more research. We need a much more ambitious and aggressive effort in research programs that will lead to improved treatments and hopefully, a cure. We need to focus our attention and resources to enable people with dementia to live as full a life as possible and to help minimize the impact of the disease.

The report recommends a clear recognition of the role played by informal caregivers. They need more information and education. As well, more financial support should be available for those who need it if the people they care for are to remain in their homes and communities.

The report recognizes the importance of prevention and early intervention. We know some of what it takes to help prevent the onset of the disease. More exercise, good diets and healthy living are things that all of us can do to help delay dementia. Although we have no control over genetics or aging, there are some things over which we do have control.

Early diagnosis and intervention can make a difference. It can slow the decline. It can help those affected and their families to plan ahead.

There also needs to be greater integration of care, increased use of best practices in disease prevention and management and community support. We need to invest more in home and community care, and develop a comprehensive strategy to provide caregivers with meaningful support. That support means as well an increased level and flexibility of respite care.

Finally, the report recommends that Canada's dementia human resources be strengthened by increasing the availability of specialists, the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of front-line professionals and greater supports to those with dementia and their families.

I hope this inquiry will stimulate, not only debate and discussion, but real action in addressing dementia and the many issues associated with it. We owe it to all those who want to live the rest of their lives with dignity and security. It is time for Canada to do the same as other countries — such as Australia, Norway, the Netherlands, France, Scotland and the United Kingdom — and develop a strategy to improve the lives of people living with dementia.

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