Estate Planning

The Grim Toll of Alzheimer's

By Hull & Hull LLP

The Toronto Star recently reported on Alzheimer's disease, stating that 'cases of the mind-robbing disease will more than double to 1.25 million within 30 years as baby boomers age'. 

With the numbers pointing upward as the population grays, a recent report by the Alzheimer Society, entitled Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society suggests the following steps to help reduce the impact of dementia:

1.                  Prevention programs based on healthy diet and physical activity that can delay the onset of dementia by two years, with a potential cost saving of $219 billion over the 30-year period.

2.                  Enhanced skill-building and support programs for family caregivers, many of whom suffer financial hardship because they must leave jobs to look after a relative with dementia.

3.                  Assigning a case manager to each newly diagnosed dementia patient and their caregivers, which could help the person remain at home longer and lessen the strain on the long-term-care system.

Today, annual funding for Alzheimer's is approximately $24 million. The Toronto Star reports that if 'nothing changes, this sharp increase in the number of people living with dementia will mean that by 2038, the total costs associated with dementia will reach $153 billion a year'. 

We have already seen a substantial influx with respect to Will challenges, particularly because there has been a big question mark about the testator's capacity. The grim realty is that this will be a continuing problem that Estate Solicitors are going to have to tackle.

Thank you for reading.

Rick Bickhram

Full post as published by Toronto Estate Law Blog on January 13, 2010 (boomark / email).