“Our government is committed to helping seniors stay active while living safely, and with better access to health care. A dementia strategy will ensure that the growing number of seniors with dementia will have access to the supports they need to maintain a good quality of life for them and their families.”

Dipika Damerla, Minister Responsible for Seniors Affairs 

September 21, 2016 1:00 P.M.

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Ontario is launching consultations across the province to help develop a new dementia strategy, which will improve access to quality care for people living with dementia and boost support for those who care for them.

September 21 is World Alzheimer's Day, and starting today, the province is inviting Ontarians to share their views on the new strategy through an online survey and will hold in-person consultations this fall. Public input is being sought on key issues, including:

• Providing supports to help people with dementia live well
• Ensuring access to the right information and services at the right time
• Coordinating care between health care and other service providers
• Supporting care partners with their caregiving responsibilities
• Having a well-trained workforce to provide dementia care
• Raising awareness and reducing stigma about brain health and dementia.

There are approximately 228,000 people in Ontario currently living with dementia, with the number expected to grow as the population ages. To support the consultations, the province has released Developing Ontario's Dementia Strategy: A Discussion Paper, which is based on feedback from health care providers, people living with dementia and care partners from across Ontario.

The development of a comprehensive dementia strategy builds on Ontario's current investments in improving the lives of people living with dementia and their families. This includes $31 million to strengthen Alzheimer Society chapters across Ontario and $54 million in annual funding to Behavioural Supports Ontario, as well as support for the Finding Your Way initiative that helps people living with dementia live more safely in their community.

Developing Ontario's dementia strategy is part of the government's plan to build a better Ontario through its Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care, which is providing patients with faster access to the right care, better home and community care, the information they need to live healthy and a health care system that's sustainable for generations to come. It is also part of Ontario's Patients First: Roadmap to Strengthen Home and Community Care, which is the government's plan to improve and expand home and community care over the next three years.

Quick Facts

• Dementia describes a group of conditions that affect the brain and cause problems with memory, thinking, speaking or performing familiar tasks. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia.
• The dementia strategy public consultation will build on discussions Ontario has held over the last year with people living with dementia and care partners who shared their personal experiences, as well as health care professionals and other experts.

Additional Resources

• Ontario’s Dementia Strategy consultation
• Alzheimer’s Society of Ontario
• Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care
• Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat