Dementia patient increase demands P.E.I. plan

A faster than anticipated increase in dementia patients is adding urgency to the need for a plan to deal with the disease on the Island, says the Alzheimer Society of P.E.I.

A report released this week by Alzheimer's Disease International says the number of cases in the world is 10 per cent higher than predicted in 2005. With an older-than-average population, P.E.I. can expect to deal with a bigger problem than many areas.

"We know the tide is rising for this disease," said Corinne Hendricken-Eldershaw.

"We are one of the few provinces that do not have a dementia strategy in place."

There are 2,300 Islanders suffering from dementia, but Hendricken-Eldershaw said the impact goes far beyond that, because the burden of care falls on family members. Strategies for dealing with the disease therefore have to cast a wide net.

"To support individuals diagnosed with the disease, to be able to support the caregivers who take care of those with the disease, and really to try to reduce the institutional costs and the health-care costs, and that's where we're going in terms of recommendations," she said.

Discussions on a dementia strategy for P.E.I. began in June. Hendricken-Eldershaw is optimistic the province will see the benefits.