Sign now to help create a dementia-friendly Ontario

September 21 was World Alzheimer's Day, a chance for all of us to recognise the challenges faced by our friends and neighbours affected by dementia—and to commit to building a more dementia-friendly society. Today that means making sure Ontarians living with dementia can access the care they need when and where they need it. Tomorrow, it could mean making sure as many people as possible have access to a treatment.

Recently, the Alzheimer Society released findings from a research study led by internationally-renowned expert on dementia economics Dr. Soeren Mattke. Findings show that Ontario could save nearly $10 billion in long-term care costs over the next 20 years with the introduction of an approved treatment for Alzheimer's disease—but that today, we aren't ready to get such a treatment to the people who would need it.

The approval of a disease-modifying treatment would see wait times for a diagnosis balloon to over seven years in Ontario—and nationally, Canada's wait times would be the longest of any G7 country. This delay would mean that tens of thousands of Ontarians eligible for a treatment for Alzheimer's disease wouldn't get it in time, costing the province billions of dollars in unnecessary years spent in long-term care.

There is hope for a breakthrough treatment in the coming years, not decades. Ontario isn't ready. With your continued support, the Alzheimer Society will keep making the case for a more dementia-friendly Ontario. Sign up to get your copy of the report and to learn more about how you can help.