Mr. Speaker, approximately 10,000 coffee breaks will be held across the country this week to support the 364,000 Canadians with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in Canada.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disorder with no known cause or cure. Alzheimer's disease and related dementias currently affect one in 13 Canadians over the age of 65. With the aging of the baby boom population, it is estimated that more than three-quarters of a million Canadians will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia by the year 2031 if a cure is not found.
What is needed are more dollars for research on Alzheimer's disease, tax relief for caregivers and a national home care program including standards and funding.