As Canada faces the challenges of an aging population, Baycrest, like many of its partners, is managing present-day demand while keeping an eye on the future of dementia care and how to best serve the changing needs of the communities we serve as the prevalence of dementia continues to surge.
The Alzheimer Society of Canada’s report, Navigating the Path Forward, estimates that over 600,000 Canadians currently live with dementia – a number expected to double by 2050. This growth will pressure our healthcare systems, caregivers, and
communities.
In Ontario alone, the healthcare system is already straining to meet the rising demand, according to a recent submission by Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario (PGLO) to the Ontario Standing Committee on Social Policy that notes home care needs and hospital admissions for individuals with dementia are climbing rapidly.
Addressing the dementia crisis requires a multi-pronged approach. Governments must invest in health system infrastructure, caregiver support, and affordable long-term care options.
There is also the financial impact of dementia on our health care system, which is staggering. Individuals with dementia and comorbidities represent one of the most expensive care groups in Ontario. In 2019, within the two Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) Baycrest participated in, care costs for this population totalled $155 million. Across the province, these costs are estimated to reach billions annually.
Beyond economics, the emotional toll on families and caregivers is immeasurable. Many caregivers face burnout, financial hardship, and declining mental health as they navigate the complexities of providing care. The CBC recently reported that the growing demand for home care and the increasing cost of healthcare services risk overwhelming our current system unless transformative immediate action is taken.
Both the immediate and longer-term needs of treating people living with dementia are at a critical point, and coordinated action at every level – personal, organizational, and governmental–is required to ensure a brighter future for people living with dementia and their families.
At Baycrest, we are acutely aware of this challenge and are stepping up as leaders in dementia care, research, and advocacy.
For more than a century, Baycrest has been at the forefront of dementia care and research. Today, we are amplifying our efforts through an enhanced strategic focus on dementia, aiming to lead innovative approaches to care and support.
Our recently released strategic plan for 2024-2029, entitled Exceptional Aging powered by Baycrest, embodies our passion and underscores our commitment to providing an extraordinary aging experience. It also signifies our dedication to enhancing the quality of life for older persons, ensuring they live with purpose, fulfillment, and dignity. It also focuses on the future and our aspirational goals: transforming the perception of aging and highlighting the potential for growth, learning, and joy in every stage of life.
We are bringing our strategic plan to life through Baycrest’s Virtual Behavioural Medicine program (VBM), one example of recent innovation designed to improve dementia care.
VBM helps individuals living with dementia promptly access highly specialized care while remaining in their homes. VBM works by ensuring patients who exhibit these behaviours receive appropriate pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. This program has not only proven to reduce pressure on acute care hospital beds but has also avoided unnecessary and upsetting changes in patients’ physical environments. It has also created capacity throughout rural areas of the province for patients requiring this level of care.
VBM showcases how Baycrest fostering an innovative environment where everyone impacted by dementia has the care, support and resources they need, both now and in decades to come.
Addressing the dementia crisis requires a multi-pronged approach. Governments must invest in health system infrastructure, caregiver support, and affordable long-term care options. Organizations like Baycrest must continue leading research and innovation while directly supporting individuals and families. Communities and individuals can also play a role by fostering inclusivity and awareness.
As we forge ahead, it is essential to recognize dementia is not just a challenge – it is an opportunity for us to redefine how we care for our aging population. At Baycrest, we remain unwavering in our vision to build a world where every older person lives with purpose, fulfilment and dignity.
By Deb Galet
Deb Galet is the Interim President and CEO, Baycrest Hospital and Long-Term Care
