Alzheimer Society applauds private member's bill in support of a national dementia strategy

TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2016 /CNW/ - The Alzheimer Society welcomes Bill C-233, "An Act respecting a national strategy for Alzheimer's disease and other dementias," presented today in the House of Commons by Rob Nicholson, Conservative MP for Niagara Falls, and seconded by Rob Oliphant, Liberal MP for Don Valley West.   

Today's announcement is a positive step towards curbing the social, economic and personal costs of a disease that still has no cure or effective treatment, but will affect 1.4 million Canadians in 15 short years and will cost $293 billion a year by 2040.

"We're thrilled that parties are working together so soon after the election to address the urgency of dementia. We all need to get behind this bill, says Mimi Lowi-Young, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Canada. "We strongly believe that a national dementia strategy that focuses on research, prevention and improved care is the only solution to tackling the devastating impact of this disease. We're ready to collaborate with our federal, provincial and territorial partners to make this a reality."

According to Alzheimer Society research, 83 per cent of Canadians have said they want a national dementia strategy.  The Alzheimer Society is asking the government to create a Canadian Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Partnership (CADDP) that would bring together researchers, clinicians, health-care providers and private industry to work alongside Canadians impacted by the disease to develop and implement the strategy.

For more information about the CADDP or the Alzheimer Society, visit www.alzheimer.ca

About the Alzheimer Society
The Alzheimer Society is the leading nationwide health charity for people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Active in communities across Canada, the Society offers help for today through our programs and services, and hope for tomorrow by funding research into the cause, prevention and a cure. 

SOURCE Alzheimer Society of Canada

Media contact: Rosanne Meandro, Director of Communications, Direct: 416-847-8920, Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]