Huron-Perth Boomers - Spring 2023

y Tina Mah
Today, there are more than 500,000 Canadians
living with dementia, and that number is
expected to triple by 2050 to more than 1.7 million
people. (1) That’s an average of 685 people being
diagnosed every day.
As the number of people diagnosed with dementia
continues to rise, so does the likelihood that you will
know, or become a care partner for, a person living
with dementia. In fact, for every person in Canada
living with dementia, a family or friend will spend an
average of 26 hours per week caring for them. (1)
Enhancing the quality of care and life of older
adults living with dementia and their care partners
is a key goal for the Schlegel-UW Research Institute
for Aging (RIA). It partners with others to conduct
groundbreaking research to tackle the issues affecting
older adults and use those findings to develop
resources and education.
While the main focus at the RIA is aging research
that impacts all older adults, the key priority is
dementia research and education. In collaboration
with people with lived experience, the RIA conducts
research and uses those findings to develop resources
and training, as well as host events focused on helping
people navigate a diagnosis, reducing stigma, and
creating dementia-friendly communities.
Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a general
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
term that refers to the impaired ability to remember,
think, or make decisions that interfere with daily
activities. It is not a normal part of aging but does
have the potential to be one of the biggest health
challenges facing Canada’s aging population. This
reinforces the critical need for innovative research,
education, and resources to support people living
with dementia, care partners, health care providers,
and the community in general.
Resources that can help
Research shows that when a dementia diagnosis is
made, most people feel overwhelmed and they don’t
get the support, resources, and help they need. There
are a number of resources available to help people
navigate this journey, whether you are a person
recently diagnosed with dementia, a care partner,
health care provider, or a community member.
‘By Us For Us’ guides
The By Us For Us guides are unique because they
were created by people living with dementia for
people living with dementia and their care partners.
The guides were founded by Brenda Hounam, who
after her dementia diagnosis realized there was a
gap in information available for people living with
dementia.
With support and encouragement from her family,
HURON COUNTY
MUSEUM
Experience Huron County’s history
and unique rural culture
OPEN YEAR ROUND
110 North St., Goderich
www.HuronCountyMuseum.ca Main Street on Fair Day, Clinton, ON, 1933-35
SPRING 2023 • 11