OTTAWA: A new report indicates a rising number of dementia patients in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, 750,000 people in the country currently have Alzheimer’s disease, making it the ninth leading cause of death. Figures suggest that as the population grows, the number of patients will also increase. The Alzheimer Society of Canada expects nearly one million people to be affected by dementia by 2030.
Experts say that while there is currently no cure for dementia, lifestyle changes can help prevent the disease. Exercise, proper nutrition, social interaction, and good sleep can help maintain brain health. Health experts have also called on the Canadian government to give more attention to preventing and treating this disease.
Meanwhile, a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare states that dementia is a contributing factor in one in ten deaths in Australia. Among Australian women over 65, dementia is the leading cause of death, and for men, it is the second leading cause, after heart disease.
