National and Provincial Strategies for Dementia
Canadian and Albertan dementia strategies were announced in 2017.
1. Canadian Strategy
The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology released its report “Dementia in Canada: A National Strategy for Dementia-friendly Communities” in November 2016. The report provides 29 wide-ranging recommendations to address this urgent issue. Since the release of the Senate report, Bill C-233: National Strategy for Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Act received final Royal Assent in June 2017. The government has published its 2020 report on this strategy. A summary and status can also be found on the Alzheimer Society website.
2. Albertan Strategy
The Alberta government launched its Provincial Dementia Strategy and Action Plan on December 19th, 2017. As stated in its press release, the main intended outcomes of this initiative are:
- “That Albertans understand the impact of dementia and actively work towards optimal brain health.
- “That Albertans living with dementia and their caregivers are supported in their communities.
- “Timely recognition, diagnosis and clinical management through primary health care, supported by specialist services.
- “Timely, accessible, integrated and high-quality dementia care and services.”
Progress on this strategy can be found in the 2019 Alberta Health report.