Quebec faces challenges with Alzheimer’s cases on the rise

By 2050, the number of Quebecers living with a neurocognitive disorder such as Alzheimer’s could exceed 360,000, more than double the current number. Given the fragility of the healthcare system, this is a “somewhat frightening” observation, according to Sylvie Grenier, General Manager of the Fédération québécoise des Sociétés Alzheimer.

“In Quebec, we have a very steep demographic curve in terms of the aging of the population, so it’s the primary risk factor,” she says in an interview. “[…] We can’t manage it now, but just imagine what it will be like in 20 years’ time.”

She stresses the scale of the challenges in the context of “a healthcare system that is struggling to provide.”

“And for people who don’t have a family doctor, this remains an issue. We’re working very hard on this with the government, and the government is not unaware of it,” assures Grenier.

She refers to the need for home support, which is essential for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Sonia Bélanger, Minister responsible for Seniors, wants to make homecare a priority. She hopes to present a national home support policy sometime in 2025.

The increase in the number of people with neurocognitive disorders also has an impact on the Quebec economy. “It also has a huge cost in terms of the job market, because you need at least two caregivers for every person living with the disease. It has an impact on people in the workplace, who often even have to leave their jobs to be able to care for a loved one,” Grenier points out.

“It has an extraordinary economic impact on both the healthcare network and the job market,” she adds.

The benefits of early diagnosis

Grenier reminds us that if Alzheimer’s disease is caught early, it greatly improves the chances of the person retaining their cognitive faculties for longer.

“The earlier you know, the less it’s too late” is the message of the Fédération québécoise des Sociétés Alzheimer for January, Alzheimer Awareness Month.

“An early diagnosis is a sure-fire way of ensuring that you can continue to live with the disease and take control of your life. Also, to work on maintaining one’s abilities,” explained the director.

Up to 50 per cent of people living with a neurocognitive disorder are diagnosed at too advanced a stage of the disease.

Early signs of Alzheimer’s disease include difficulty retaining new information, temporal or spatial confusion, and misplacing objects in unfamiliar places.

The fear of being diagnosed with a degenerative disease for which there is as yet no cure is the main reason why people are reluctant to consult a doctor after the onset of early signs.  

Grenier points out that there are medications that can improve quality of life when the diagnosis is made early in the course of the disease. In addition, signs of memory loss or other symptoms may be due to another health problem, such as a vitamin B12 deficiency, which is why it’s important to consult a doctor.

“It’s not necessarily Alzheimer’s disease; it could be normal signs of aging. At some point, we all look up a friend’s first or last name. You can’t remember it, then it comes back two minutes later. But when it’s repetitive, maybe you need to pay attention,” warns Grenier.

 “We don’t want to go looking for a diagnosis because from the moment we have a diagnosis, what we hear is that the person is becoming Alzheimer. The person is no longer there. We don’t even consider them as a person in their own right anymore, and we don’t even turn to them for their needs,” she laments.

This factor puts people off talking to their doctor.

Yet Quebecers should not hesitate if they have doubts about their cognitive health, because in addition to improving their chances of delaying decline, early diagnosis allows them to prepare their finances, make their wishes known to their loved ones and make informed decisions for the future.

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-This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews