A local stand on World Alzheimer's Day

Tashi Farmilo

Alzheimer’s disease has long been present in Quebec households, but its impact is becoming harder to overlook. Nearly 150,000 people in the province are currently living with dementia, and that number is expected to more than double by 2050. The condition now shapes daily routines, relationships and responsibilities, not only for those diagnosed but for the families who support them.

Care typically begins at home. Across Canada, people caring for loved ones with dementia provide an average of 26 hours of unpaid support each week. In Quebec, nearly one in five adults identifies as an informal caregiver. Many navigate this responsibility without consistent support, especially in rural and small-town areas where dementia-specific services remain limited.

Caregivers often take on a wide range of roles: managing medications, coordinating appointments, providing reassurance, and maintaining structure where memory can no longer do the job. Many do this while juggling work, parenting or personal health challenges. The emotional toll is significant. One in four caregivers reports struggling with mental health. Fatigue, isolation and stress are common, particularly where systems fall short or stigma persists.

The burden is not felt equally across the province. A 2025 study by McGill University, Inequalities in Dementia Care: A Population-Based Analysis of Neighbourhood Disparities in Quebec, found that people in lower-income neighbourhoods receive considerably less dementia-related care than those in wealthier areas. Despite Quebec’s universal health care model, access remains uneven. It shapes who receives timely support and who is left to manage alone.

In response, the Alzheimer Society of Outaouais is expanding its efforts to connect with local residents. To mark World Alzheimer’s Day, the Society is hosting two open houses: one at Galeries Aylmer, 181 rue Principale, on September 19, and another at 109 rue Wright in Gatineau on September 22. Both events run from 10 - 2 pm. Staff will be available to answer questions and provide information about fall services, including caregiver education, wellness activities, bilingual peer support groups and the First Link referral system for individuals recently diagnosed.

The Society also offers the Cercle des aidants, a monthly peer support group held in both French and English. These sessions provide space for caregivers to connect, exchange strategies and find validation in shared experience.

Another local event, while not specific to dementia, complements this support network. On September 30, from 10 - 11:30 am, Connexions Resource Centre will host a free English-language workshop titled Effective Strategies for Aging in Place at the Aylmer Legion, 59 Bancroft Street. The session includes refreshments and offers practical guidance for older adults and families preparing for future care needs. It speaks to a shared concern: how to plan wisely, remain independent for longer and stay rooted in familiar surroundings.