What is dementia?
Dementia includes a wide range of symptoms, such as memory loss, challenges with language and thinking, and changes in mood or behaviour.
Globally, 50 million people live with dementia—a number that is expected to triple by 2050. As the population ages in many places, the number of people living with dementia is also projected to grow. In Canada, close to 733,040 people were living with dementia as of January 2024. The number is expected to reach nearly one million by 2030.
Dementia can affect people of any age; however, most people who are diagnosed with dementia are 65 or older. To support wellbeing for everyone, at all ages, we must design cities and neighbourhoods to meet the needs of this growing demographic.
Sources for infographic:
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Alzheimer Society of Canada. (n.d.). Dementia numbers in Canada. Alzheimer Society of Canada. Retrieved October 2, 2024, from https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-dementia/dementia-numbers-canada
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World Dementia Council. (2020). (rep.). Defining Dementia Friendly Initiatives: Presenting a global evidence base for dementia friendly initiatives. Retrieved October 4, 2022, from https://www.worlddementiacouncil.org/sites/default/files/2020-12/DFIs%20-%20Paper%201_V18.pdf.
