How We Maximize "Walk For Memories" Support
In November 2008, Executive Director Loren Freid wrote about the Alzheimer Society of York Region's approach to the annual "Walk for Memories" event. The full text of that essay can be found below:
One in every 11 Canadians over the age of 65 and 1 in every 3 over the age of 85 are living with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder.
Right now, Alzheimer’s affects more than 160,000 Ontarians over the age of 65. By the end of 2009, this number will increase to 184,416. Aging baby boomers and longer life expectancy rates will help fuel the Alzheimer’s crisis.
For every person affected by Alzheimer’s disease, 10 to 12 others are directly impacted. These include caregivers such as family members, friends and neighbours; employers and healthcare workers.
Currently, Alzheimer’s disease costs Ontario taxpayers $7 billion a year. Unless changes are made to funding research and developing community services and programs, Alzheimer’s disease will overwhelm Ontario’s health care system.
Alzheimer’s disease is the leading form of progressive dementia, as approximately 65% of all people with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is the seventh leading cause of death in Canada.
Within the past 10 years the Alzheimer Society of York Region has contributed more than $625,000 towards research into finding a cause and cure for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.