The Canadian dementia challenge: ensuring optimal care and services for those at risk or with dementia throughout the country

Canada is currently in the midst of an unprecedented demographic shift in its aging population, with more Canadians than ever living longer, and with an aging average age that continues [...]
In the next 15 years, Canada is predicted to face a doubling in its population affected by dementia. By 2038, an estimated 1.1 million Canadians will be experiencing dementia, with unprecedented impact on social, economic and health landscapes. In September 2015, the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences convened a Forum, with the specific thematic goals of reviewing progress towards effective dementia treatment and prevention, improved systems of care, advanced living and built environments, and impactful technology developments. The orientation of the Forum was to focus on potential solutions and advances in these areas. These areas are integral to the goal of a national end-to-end program, where all affected Canadians can be optimally supported in their communities and receive quality of care--regardless of where they live or who they are. KEY WORDS: Dementia; prevention; national strategy; services D'ici 15 ans, la population du Canada atteinte de demence devrait doubler. D'ici 2038, environ 1,1 million de Canadiens seront atteints de demence, ce qui aura un impact sans precedent sur le paysage social, economique et sanitaire. En septembre 2015, l'Academie canadienne des sciences de la sante a convoque un forum dont les objectifs etaient d'examiner les progres realises en vue d'ameliorer l'efficacite du traitement et de la prevention de la demence, les systemes de soins, les milieux de vie et les cadres batis, ainsi que l'impact des developpements technologiques. Le forum a aborde les possibilites de prevenir la demence, d'offrir des systemes de soins ameliores, de refaconner nos milieux de vie et nos cadres batis, et de miser sur des solutions technologiques. Ces themes s'inscrivent dans l'objectif d'avoir un programme coordonne a l'echelle nationale capable de soutenir de facon optimale, dans leurs communautes, tous les Canadiens touches par la demence et de leur offrir des soins de qualite, peu importe oU ils vivent ou qui ils sont. MOTS CLES: demence; prevention; strategie nationale; services La traduction du resume se trouve a la fin de l'article.