Dementia in Canada: Awareness, Risks and Reality: Part 1
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
Release Date: 11/05/2025
Dementia in Canada: Awareness, Risks and Reality: Part 1
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
Dementia significantly impacts the lives of many Canadians, particularly for older adults and their caregivers. Canadians of all ages need to be knowledgeable about dementia, have access to information and support to lower their risk and acknowledge their role in combating stigma surrounding dementia. In this episode we are joined with 3 esteemed guests; Dr. Samir Sinha, Dr. Jane Rylett and Claire Webster, share their wealth of knowledge in research, policy and practice to help us better understand Dementia in Canada. We had such a comprehensive and informative discussion with our guests...
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WISE: Age-Inclusive Workplaces
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
In this episode we talk with Carolynne Mahood, Founder of On Your Own Time about why age diversity and inclusion in the workplace matters. Across Canada, many older adults who want or need to keep working are being overlooked, not because they lack ability but because of ageism. When older adults are excluded from meaningful work, it not only impacts their income and independence, it can also reinforce ageist stereotypes that contribute to social isolation, a known risk factor for abuse. One approach to building age-inclusive, future-ready workplaces is to provide employers with tailored...
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Wills and Navigating Undue Influence
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
On this episode of Aging Vibrantly, we demystify the world of wills and undue influence in estate planning. Understanding the legalities of a will, undue influence and court proceedings can be complex. So, we speak to two lawyers, Joanna Weiss, and Emily Caza from Whaley Estate Litigation Partners (WEL Partners) to help us break down these issues and to clarify the following issues: What exactly is a will, and why do you need one What happens when you do not have a Will The differences between a Will, Power of Attorney, Executor and Attorney Having Capacity to make a will, and What happens...
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A Friendly Voice: Just a phone call away
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
We all have a need for social connections, to talk to someone about our day, events in our lives, share stories or whatever is on our mind. Social connections, how we relate to and interact with others, are important to reduce social isolation and loneliness for all ages, but particularly for older adults as we age. In this Episode of Aging Vibrantly, we will talk with France Connor, Manager of 'A Friendly Voice', that provides a free call-in service for adults over 55 years old who live in Ontario or Atlantic Canada. When an older adult calls the toll free number at 1-855-892-9992 they...
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Building Bridges: Intergenerational Classrooms
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
We live in a society that is increasingly separating individuals into age-based groups, which can lead to limited interaction and the potential for negative stereotypes and discrimination, particularly towards older adults. So how can we best address this to build connections and relationships between age groups and generations. In this episode of Aging Vibrantly, host Raeann Rideout and co-host April Struthers, feature the University of Toronto’s Intergenerational Classroom, with guests Dr. Raza Mirza, professor and creator of the program, alongside with Florene Shuber a senior participant...
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Kindness is Contagious : Standing up Against Senior Bullying
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
In this episode of Aging Vibrantly, host Raeann Rideout and co-host Pauline Luening talk with Dr. Kirsten Madsen and Liza Franses about standing up against senior bullying and the development of We begin our interview with a brief background on the aim of the project, and evolution of the Toolkit, including the need and importance for the Toolkit, including the collection of data on the prevalence and nature of Senior to Senior bullying in Ontario, Canada that demonstrated seniors have experienced being bullied, engaged in bullying behaviours as well as witnessed bullying behaviours between...
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Preparing for Caregiving
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
Are you providing or receiving care? In this episode of Aging Vibrantly, we speak with Amy Coupal, CEO of Ontario Caregivers Organization (OCO). Podcast host, Raeann Rideout and co-host Tom Warner, learned about the amazing work the OCO conducts to support Ontario’s four million caregivers who provide physical and/or emotional support to family members, partners, friends and neighbours. Our discussion led to understanding the current and future concerns and complexities, prospective caregivers are facing in Ontario and what may be needed support them, based on OCO’s recent Preparing to...
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Transforming Care with a National Caregiver Strategy for Canada
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
We are excited to launch Season 2 of Aging Vibrantly with an inspiring leader who is committed to ‘making Canada the best place in the world to give and receive care! In this inaugural episode, host Raeann Rideout and co-host Pauline Luening talk with James Janeiro, Director of Policy and Government Relations for the Canadian Centre for Caregiver Excellence (CCCE). According to the CCCE, “Canada is facing a caregiving crisis that will only get worse without real action. A perfect storm is brewing, demand for care is growing, caregivers are aging, the number of available caregivers is...
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Re-Release: Rebelling Against Ageism with Ashton Applewhite: Part 2
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
In Episode 2 of our Rebelling Against Ageism Series, host Raeann Rideout, is joined with co-host April Struthers, for a lively discussion on Ageism with our guest Ashton Applewhite, an internationally recognized expert on ageism and leader on healthy aging, author of . In part 2 of our interview, Ashton dives into how we internalize aging and explore the connection between ageism and elder abuse, tips for encouraging intergenerational conversations on aging and her advocacy work as co-founder the , and success stories of Ageism Campaigns, including Ageism Awareness Day, that are...
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Re-Release: Rebelling Against Ageism with Ashton Applewhite : Part 1
Aging Vibrantly : Conversations to Empower Seniors
In this inaugural episode, host Raeann Rideout, is joined with co-host April Struthers, for a lively discussion on Ageism with our guest Ashton Applewhite, an internationally recognized expert on ageism and leader on healthy aging, author of , and co-founder of the Hub. In Part 1 of our Rebelling Against Ageism Series, Ashton imparts her insights on defining ageism, its prevalence, impacts and where it shows up in our lives from health, policy, and intergenerational dialogue. We learn to check our assumptions and do our own self reflection of internal ageism. Ashton informs us of the...
info_outlineDementia significantly impacts the lives of many Canadians, particularly for older adults and their caregivers. Canadians of all ages need to be knowledgeable about dementia, have access to information and support to lower their risk and acknowledge their role in combating stigma surrounding dementia.
In this episode we are joined with 3 esteemed guests; Dr. Samir Sinha, Dr. Jane Rylett and Claire Webster, share their wealth of knowledge in research, policy and practice to help us better understand Dementia in Canada.
We had such a comprehensive and informative discussion with our guests that we've decided to release this podcast as a two-part episode.
In part 1, you will learn some alarming facts about Dementia, including;
- approximately half a million older adults in Canada were living with a diagnosis of dementia in 2023/24, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, and
- the Alzheimer Society of Canada estimates this number could approach 772,000 in 2025 and by 2050 could reach to possibly 1.7 million Canadians with nearly 1 million care partners needed to support them.
But we can be proactive in changing these projections by becoming more knowledgeable of the modifiable risk factors that are associated with delaying or preventing dementia. All of us can play a role in challenging the associated stigma, stereotypes and discrimination associated with the disease that often inhibit people from seeking a diagnosis, medical care and support services.
Be sure to listen to Episode 19 for PART 2 of our Dementia and Canada conversation.
Until next time - Stay Vibrant!
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Episode Resources :
Websites:
National Institute on Ageing
www.niageing.ca
Carecrosswalk Inc.
https://www.carecrosswalk.com
McGill University
https://www.mcgill.ca/dementia
Robarts Research Institute at Western University
https://www.robarts.ca/research/scientists/rylett_jane.html
CIHR Institute of Aging
https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/8671.html
Reports :
National Institute on Aging (NIA) Report: Adressing Dementia in Canada: Raising Awareness, Challenging Stigma and Reducing Our Risk
Canada’s National Dementia Strategy
Alzheimer Society of Canada: Navigating the Path Forward for Dementia in Canada: The Landmark Study
Alzheimer Society of Canada: The Many Faces of Dementia in Canada: The Landmark Study Report #2
The World Alzheimer Report 2021: Journey through the diagnosis of dementia
The World Alzheimer Report 2022: Life after diagnosis: Navigating treatment, care and support
Resources :
NIA Webinar: Addressing Dementia in Canada: Raising Awareness, Challenging Stigma and Reducing Our Risk
Infographic: Dementia in Canada Including Alzheimer disease. Government of Canada (2024)
McGill Cares Webcast
www.mcgill.ca/dementia/resources/mcgill-cares-webcasts
Dementia Companion Guide (available in 14 languages) https://www.mcgill.ca/dementia/resources/dementia-your-companion-guide
Dementia Education for Care Partners
Free online course that consists of ten self-guided modules. It includes expert advice, shared experiences from participants, and solutions to the challenges of being a care partner in the context of dementia.
https://www.mcgill.ca/dementia/resources/dementia-education-care-partners
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About our Guests :
Dr. Samir Sinha is a Geriatrician and Clinician Scientist at Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto, a Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto, the Director of Health Policy Research at Toronto Metropolitan University’s National Institute on Ageing, as well as a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and the Royal Society of Medicine.
Dr. Sinha is a highly regarded international expert in the care of older adults. As a current member of its Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia he helped to develop Canada’s National Dementia Strategy and recently led the successful development of Canada’s new National Long-Term Care Services Standard.
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Dr. Jane Rylett is a Distinguished University Professor at the University of Western Ontario and scientist in translational Neurosciences Group at the Robarts Research Institute. She was appointed as the Scientific Director of the Canadian Institute of Health Research’s Institute of Aging in August 2019 and is an elected fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. She is the past Chair of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Western University.
She is a cellular and molecular neurobiologist studying the consequences of age-related changes in brain and neurodegenerative diseases and recognized internationally for her contributions in the studies on cholinergic neurobiology and Alzheimer disease and has worked within the Alzheimer community for many years.
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Claire Webster is a Certified Dementia Care Consultant and Certified Professional consultant on Aging, and a conference speaker and educator in the field of caring for individuals living with Dementia. As a former care partner for her late mother who had Alzheimer Disease, Claire has lived experience on the impact of this illness on the person living with Dementia and the ripple effect on Family members.
Clair works in collaboration with the Division of Medicine and Faculty of Health Sciences at McGill University where she is the Founder and Ambassador of the McGill Dementia Education Program and McGill Cares, a webcast series designed to support family care partners. She is also the founding President of the Caregiver Crosswalk Inc., a consulting firm that provides education and support services to help individuals navigate the journey of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia related illnesses.
She also is one of the McGill Senior Co-Editors of Alzheimer’s Disease International’s World Reports Alzheimer Report for both 2021 and 2022. She is a Member of the Government of Canada’s Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia.
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CREDITS:
Producer: Lisa Widdifield
Editor: Todd Miller, The Podcast Experts
Co-Host: Tom Warner, Member of Aging Vibrantly Podcast Advisory Committee,
Music: Redpath Audio
We want to thank HelpAge Canada for their financial support to produce this Season’s podcast.
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Stay Connected :
Please rate, review and subscribe to Aging Vibrantly wherever you get your podcast. If you prefer to view this or other interviews, full episodes are posted on Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario’s YouTube Channel. Be sure to check us out.
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www.surveymonkey.com/r/Podcast_Listener_Feedback
To learn more resources on abuse prevention and protecting the rights and dignity of older adults, visit our website eapon.ca
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This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as constituting or implying endorsement by EAPO of any entity, product, service or organization mentioned, referenced, or linked.