VAST MAJORITY OF CARP MEMBERS TOUCHED BY DEMENTIA; UNIVERSAL AGREEMENT PROBLEM IS GROWING, NOT ENOUGH BEING DONE – CARP POLL™

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 21, 2014

Toronto, ON: The vast majority of CARP members polled have been touched by dementia in their lives either living with dementia, caring for someone with dementia or being personally acquainted with someone with dementia. This suggests that the scope of the dementia problem is far greater than generally expected; certainly the impact on families is very broad. CARP members see the problem growing as the population ages and call for a national strategy now to support families caring for someone with dementia.

Vast majority touched by dementia; extreme stress on families

In a CARP Poll of more than 2,300 CARP members this weekend,

  • eight-in-ten (80%) have a family member who has dementia (9%) or know someone who has dementia (71%)
  • 4-in-10 (43%) are caregivers themselves (10%) or know someone who is a caregiver to a person with dementia (33%)
  • one half say caregiving has imposed extreme stress on families (51%)

The Alzheimers Society states that approximately 750,000 Canadians suffer from dementia but clearly the impact on their families is much broader.

Canada has no strategy to deal with dementia; wide agreement that national strategy is needed

  • There is universal agreement the number of cases of dementia will increase as the population ages (95%) and that individuals are more likely to suffer dementia as they live longer (94%)
  • The vast majority say not enough is being done in the country to prepare for this increase (81%).
  • Three quarters of members are aware there is no cure for dementia (77%) and
  • There is very wide agreement a national strategy for dealing with dementia is needed (88%) and this strategy must be focused on supporting caregivers through work leave and respite, training of health care professionals and first responders and better dementia care in the health system

CARP is calling for a national dementia strategy to provide:

  •  Caregiver support work leave and support, training and resources
  • Training for health care providers
  • More home care and long-term care funding and
  • Better dementia care in the formal health care system

It is clear our members can see the scope of the problem coming with dementia; theyre already experiencing the first wave, and they dont think the country is prepared for it. Moreover, they recognize the burden caregiving places on family. While they appreciate CARPs efforts on their behalf, there is a recognition that this is a growing problem with no clear solutions in sight. This is why CARP is calling for more government support for caregivers, training for health care workers and funding for home care and long term care said Susan Eng, CARPs VP of Advocacy

 

Detailed Findings

Has someone close to you or someone you know been diagnosed with some form of dementia?

YES 80%
   Me    1%
   Spouse    5%
   Sibling    3%
   Someone I know    36%
   More than one person    35%
NO    20%

 

Are you a caregiver to someone with dementia or do you know someone who is?

YES 43%
   Me    10%
   Someone I know    33%
No 57%

 

Do you agree or disagree that as the aging population grows, the number of cases of dementia will increase?

AGREE 95%
   Agree strongly    53%
   Agree    42%
DISAGREE 1%
   Disagree    1%
   Disagree strongly    *
DONT KNOW 4%

 

As people live longer, do you agree or disagree theres a greater chance that individuals will suffer dementia at some point?

AGREE 94%
   Agree strongly    45%
   Agree    49%
DISAGREE 2%
   Disagree    2%
   Disagree strongly    *
DONT KNOW 4%

 

Do you agree or disagree enough is being done to prepare for this coming increase?

AGREE 8%
   Agree strongly    3%
   Agree    5%
DISAGREE 82%
   Disagree    38%
   Disagree strongly    44%
DONT KNOW 11%
NO INCREASE IN DEMENTIA COMING 1%

 

How has dementia affected your family or the family of someone you know?

Imposed extreme stress on caregiver 51%
Hasnt affected family 14%
Caused family rifts 7%
Drawn family closer 6%
Imposed financial hardships 5%
OTHER 8%
DONT KNOW ANYONE WITH DEMENTIA 10%

 

As far as you know, are there any effective treatments or cures for dementia?

Yes 3%
No 77%
DONT KNOW 20%

 

In fact, dementia is currently untreatable. Is CARPs approach of mitigating harm, raising awareness and supporting caregivers the right approach to dealing with dementia or not?

Yes, need to help families/caregivers now 79%
No, more attempts should be made to find cure 11%
More study needed 7%
OTHER/DONT KNOW 4%

More than 2300 CARP Poll online panel members responded to this poll between April 17 and 20, 2014. The margin of error for a probability sample this size is about plus or minus 2%, 19 times out of 20

 

CARP is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to advocating for a New Vision of Aging for Canada, social change that will bring financial security, equitable access to health care and freedom from discrimination. CARP seeks to ensure that the marketplace serves the needs and expectations of our generation and provides value-added benefits, products and services to our members. Through our network of chapters across Canada, CARP is dedicated to building a sense of community and shared values among our members in support of CARPs mission.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Sarah Park   416.607.2471
Media Relations, Policy Researcher and Coordinator
[email protected]


Michael Nicin   416.607.2479
Director of Policy
[email protected]

Siobhan MacLean 416.607.2475
Media and Communications Coordinator
[email protected]

 

for

Susan Eng
Vice President, Advocacy
[email protected]

CARP, A New Vision of Aging for Canada or visit our website: www.carp.ca