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London Alzheimer's Society tries to keep up with rising dementia rates

A study by the Ontario Medical Association shows the rate of dementia diagnoses in Ontario has grown almost 50 per cent since 2010. In London, referrals for support programs at the local Alzheimer's society are going up—and it's hard to find the volunteers to help out.

Regional Alzheimer society CEO says amount of referrals 'unheard of'

Cara Nickerson · CBC News ·
Person with head in hand
The number of patients diagnosed with dementia in Ontario has increased almost 50 per cent since 2010. (Ed Hunter/CBC)

For those who work with dementia patients, it's no surprise that more people are being diagnosed with dementia than a decade ago. 

CEO of the Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners (ASSP) Carol Walters says the number of referrals the society has received recently are "unheard of." 

"We're currently seeing about 150 new referrals a month coming to the Alzheimer's Society," she told CBC London.

The number of people in Ontario with dementia has rapidly increased since 2010, a new study by the Ontario Medical Association found. 

There has been a 48 per cent increase, according to an analysis of Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) billing released by the OMA on Thursday. 

There are currently around 14,000 people in London region with dementia. Walters said the society projects that by 2030, in just six years, there will be around 18,630. 

Some of the reasons, she said, is an aging baby boomer population with longer life expectancies. 

Woman smiling.
Carol Walters, CEO of the Alzheimer Society Soutwest Partners, says the number of referrals for patients received recently is 'unheard of.' (Submitted by Jennifer Davidson)

The increasing number of patients, Walters said, makes the need for the Alzheimer Society's services greater. 

The ASSP provides services to patients with dementia and their caregivers, including educational resources, counselling and day programs. 

She said the ASSP was an important resource for herself and her father when her own mother had Alzheimer's disease. 

"The education programs are outstanding, and with a disease like this, knowledge is power. And it will help with your quality of life — the more you know and the more of what you expect."

Volunteers essential to services

Scott Shakir has been volunteering with the ASSP for about a year working on fundraising and helping educate grade school and nursing students on dementia.

Most recently he has spent time at The Social in Elgin County, a program where people with dementia do activities and socialize with volunteers, which helps with cognitive function and gives caregivers a break. 

Shakir is one of 430 volunteers Walters said are crucial to keeping the society's programs running. 

"There's no way we could continue or we could work at the level we work with or provide the level of service that we provide without our community," she said. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cara Nickerson

Cara Nickerson is a journalist with the CBC's Ontario local news stations, primarily CBC Hamilton. She previously worked with Hamilton Community News. Cara has a special interest in stories that focus on social issues and community.

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