Statistics on Alzheimer's Disease in Canada
Key Facts About Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia Prevelance Figures
The population of Canada continues to age dramatically as the baby boomers reach 60. Alzheimer's disease is the second most feared disease by Canadians as we age.
To assist in the understanding of this complex issue, the Alzheimer Society undertook a study to evaluate the impact of dementia on Canadian society.
This project, Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society, was conducted by RiskAnalytica, a leading firm in risk management. Through their specialized Life at Risk® evaluation framework, combined with the Alzheimer Society's extensive network of leading researchers and clinicians, the Society has been able to determine the current and future extent of health and economic impacts of dementia in Canada over the next 30 years.
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* Today, half a million Canadians have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. With 71,000 of them under age 65.
* Today, 1 in 11 of Canada’s seniors has Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.
* 50% more Canadians and their families could be facing Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia in just 5 years.
* If nothing changes, over 1 million Canadians will have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia within 25 years.
* Within a generation, the number of Canadians with Alzheimer’s disease will more than double.
* Women today make up almost three-quarters of Canadians with Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease versus other dementia
* Alzheimer’s disease is the leading form of dementia. It currently represents 64% of all dementias. This will increase to 68% by year 2034, i.e. within a generation
* Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia. It currently represents 20% of all dementias and will continue to do so within a generation.
Alzheimer’s disease – a gender specific illness?
* Today, women represent 72% of all cases of Alzheimer’s disease. In the context of overall dementia, women represent 62% of cases.
* In comparison, women represent 47% of vascular dementia cases.
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1 in 20 Canadians over age 65 is affected by Alzheimer's disease itself
* 1 in 100 between ages 65-74
* 1 in 14 between ages 75-84
* 1 in 4 over age 85
Canadian Study of Health and Aging Working Group. Canadian Study of Health and Aging: study methods and prevalence of dementia. Canadian Medical Association Journal 1994; 150:899-913, and personal communication, CSHA.
