Canadians avoid dementia diagnosis, leaving support gaps for plans and caregivers
Nearly half of Canadians say they do not know where to turn for help if they think they might have dementia – a gap with clear implications for workplaces, benefit plans, and caregivers.
Findings from a Leger poll of more than 1,500 Canadians show that while concern about dementia is widespread, stigma and fear still keep many people from seeking support.
According to the survey, 53 percent of Canadians are worried about developing dementia, while 66 percent fear losing independence or becoming a burden if diagnosed.
One in four – 24 percent – would prefer not to know if they had dementia, and 46 percent are unsure where to find help or information.
Taken together, more than half of Canadians are worried about developing Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, and one in four would rather not know if they had it, underscoring how stigma continues to surround the disease.
For many, the concern centres on losing independence or becoming a burden to others – worries shared by two-thirds of respondents.
January is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in Canada, and Alzheimer Societies across the country have launched a Forget No One campaign to encourage more open conversation so that no one faces dementia alone.
Their message is direct: avoiding dementia is not a strategy, and help is available.
“Dementia is a major health crisis in Canada, yet far too many people face it alone,” said Christina Scicluna, CEO of the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
She noted that delaying a diagnosis does not halt the disease, but instead postpones access to care, information and support that could improve quality of life, adding that the Alzheimer Society aims to change that.
Through programs and services offered in nearly 100 communities across Canada, local Alzheimer Societies provide education, counselling, support groups, and community resources for people living with dementia and their care partners.
Early diagnosis can open doors to interventions that support risk reduction and quality of life, including lifestyle changes and access to potential treatments.
“Would you want to know?” asks Scicluna. “A quarter of Canadians say no – and that’s the stigma we need to end. Because knowing means learning, getting help, and finding hope.”
On January 28, Alzheimer Societies across Canada will hold a national Day of Action for Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.
