Caregivers and health care workers in BC can expect to deal with almost a quarter of a million people with dementia in less than three decades.
The Alzheimer Society of Canada says there are 85,800 sufferers in BC right now, but it’s estimated that will reach 247,300 by 2050.
BC is expected to see “one of the most dramatic increases” in people living with the disease over the next 30 years.
Alzheimer Society of BC CEO Jen Lyle says supports are needed to mitigate the impact and ensure people affected by dementia don’t face it alone.
The Society wants people to know that dementia is not a normal aging process and that further research is needed.
Individuals and institutions can take steps to reduce the risks of dementia and governments should provide funding for research and programs that help people living with dementia and their carers to have the best possible quality of life.
In BC, more than 50,000 family, friends and neighbors are estimated to support.
There are projected to be nearly 145,000 people in the province who will be helping someone with dementia in some way by 2050.
The Alzheimer’s Society says that by delaying the onset of dementia by five years, the number of individuals living with the disease in BC in 2050 would drop from about 247,300 to 145,500.
If the occurrence of dementia can be reduced in 10 years, the estimated number of people living with it in British Columbia would decrease to 76,400.