Monday, January 04, 2010

Globe Article on Dementia and Aging


The fact that this morning's online Globe has a headline about the biggest story of this century- aging- is encouraging. In this case the story focuses on one specific impact of aging -- the rise of dementia.

A sample from the story:

The annual cost of dementia is projected to soar tenfold in the next generation, a stark illustration of the impact an aging Canadian population will have on the health-care system.

By 2038, dementia will cost a staggering $153-billion a year, up from the current $15-billion a year, according to a report being released today.

From 2008 to 2038, the number of Canadians living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia will jump to 1.1 million from 500,000 today, the new projections show.

Dementia is just one of the chronic health conditions on the rise as the grey tsunami washes across the country. The number of seniors living with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, lung disease and arthritis is also increasing.


The report referred to in the story is here.

Cheers,
Colin