Research and patient services need to reflect that Canadians from diverse communities are living with dementia

Communities that are underrepresented in research may also be at increased risk for dementia, or tend to experience dementia differently, often with poorer quality of care, later diagnoses and at possibly higher rates than the general population. (Shutterstock)

Recent data from Statistics Canada on our country’s demographic shift to an aging population highlights Canada’s evolving future. How we respond to these changes will determine our long-term success as a nation, especially for future generations of older individuals.

As our population continues to age, more people will be affected by age-related health conditions, including dementia. More than 500,000 Canadians are living with dementia and this number is forecast to at least double over the next two decades. These figures do not include potential cases of young onset dementia, which is not tracked for people who are diagnosed under the age of 65, an omission that should be rectified immediately.