Catholic Women’s League of Canada | BC and Yukon Council

Education and Health
Nelson Diocesan Council

BC 2010.01         Strategies for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias

Whereas, Research suggests early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s and related dementias could save billions of dollars while simultaneously improving care; and

Whereas, As the longevity of the Canadian population increases, new cases of Alzheimer’s and related dementias in British Columbia are estimated to rise to approximately 36,000 per year by 2038; and

Whereas, The economic burden of Alzheimer’s and related dementias in British Columbia is estimated to reach $130.2 billion by year 2038; therefore, be it

Resolved, That the British Columbia and Yukon Provincial Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada urge the Ministers of Health for British Columbia & Yukon Territory to accelerate funding for:

• research of all aspects of Alzheimer’s and related dementias
• education and prevention programs to delay the onset
• early intervention
• support services and education for home caregivers.

Brief: Strategies for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias

A cost-benefit analysis of the social and fiscal impacts of early identification and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, using Wisconsin as a model, suggests early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease could save a considerable amount of money while simultaneously improving care.  “This analysis says you can save literally billions of dollars in long-term care costs if you can intervene at an earlier stage,” says Mark Sager, director of the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute of the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health.  The study was co-authored by La Follette School of Public Affairs professor David Weimer (Nauert).

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia — the loss of intellectual and social abilities severe enough to interfere with daily functioning. Alzheimer’s disease is not a part of normal aging, but the risk of the disorder increases with age. About 5 percent of people between the ages of 65 and 74 have Alzheimer’s disease, while nearly half the people over the age of 85 have Alzheimer’s (Mayo). With the “boomers” population now at the age of greater risk for this fatal disease, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s is expected to grow at an alarming rate. As stated in the World Alzheimer’s Report 2009, it can be called an epidemic that is increasing its pace with the graying of the population around the world (World).

British Columbia’s elderly population is the fastest growing in Canada, with the population over 65 expected to increase from about 14 per cent to 24 per cent of the B.C. population from 2006 to 2036.  The population over age 85 is also growing (Ministry).

A report released by the Alzheimer Society in January 2010 reveals alarming statistics about the projected economic and social costs of dementia in British Columbia.

Incidents of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia:

2008 – 15,150 new cases per year; and
2038 – over 35,720 projected  new cases per year.

Prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias:

2008 – 68,910 people with dementia (1.6% of population); and
2038 – over 177,684 projected of people with dementia cases (3% of population).

Economic burden of dementia (cumulative costs from 2008 to 2038):

2008 – $2.1 billion (in 2008 dollars); and
2038 –$130.2 billion (in 2008 dollars).

Hours of unpaid care provided annually by families for people with dementias:

2008 – 33.1 million hours; and
2038 – 118.7 million hours.

The report also outlines potential scenarios backed by current evidence that could become critical factors in reducing the impact of the disease.  These intervention scenarios include physical activity programs to reduce the numbers of new and prevalent cases of dementia, prevention programs to delay the onset of dementia, informal caregiver support programs and system navigation to reduce the numbers of dementia patients residing in long-term care facilities.  All showed the potential for dramatic reductions in economic impact over the next thirty years (Rising Tide).

Based on the impending social and economic consequences of the rising tide of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, we urge that provincial and territorial funding be accelerated.   An early investment would lead to improved quality of life for patients and caregivers, and result in savings in the long run.

REFERENCES

British Columbia Ministry of Health Services, 2010/11 – 2012/13 Service Plan, Strategic Context, the Aging Population, page 6

Mayo Clinic Staff, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers-disease/ds00161

Nauert PHD, Rick, Early Detection Of Alzheimer’s Key to Quality and Savings, May 14, 2009, http://psychcentral.com/news/2009/05/14/early-detection-of-alzheimers-key-to-quality-and-savings/5899.html

Rising Tide:  The Impact of Dementia on British Columbia 2008 to 2038, reports based on a study by Risk Analytica, http://www.alzheimerbc.org

Rising Tide:  The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society, reports based on a study by Risk Analytica, http://alzheimers.ca/english/rising_tide/rising_tide_report.htm

World Alzheimer Report 2009 – Executive Summary, http://www.alz.co.uk/research/worldreport

ACTION PLAN

Ask CWL members:

• To become informed about Alzheimer’s Disease and about strategies for prevention
• Invite a guest speaker from an Alzheimer Society to inform the CWL about its advocacy program and how to become involved

Contact their local MLA’s to urgently request the British Columbia and Yukon Ministers of Health to act now.

BC 2009.01

Regulating the Use of Personal Electronic Devices On School Premises

Whereas, In schools, the inappropriate use of personal electronic devices by students causes distraction and disruption of the learning environment; and

Whereas, The British Columbia Ministry of Education states that safe schools support an environment that is resistant to disruption and intrusion and enables a constant focus on student achievement; and

Whereas, Electronic devices and technology are an integral part of society and can play a vital role in education or during emergency situations; therefore be it

Resolved, That the BC & Yukon Provincial Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada urge the Ministries of Education of British Columbia and the Yukon to:

a)  Develop provincial-territorial policies with clear rules to govern the possession and use of personal electronic devices on school premises; and

b)  That this policy be widely distributed and made easily accessible to parents and students.

ACTION PLAN:

Write letters to the British Columbia and Yukon Ministers of Education requesting the development of a province-wide policy regulating the use of personal electronic devices in schools.

Encourage councils to become aware of existing policies in their school districts regarding the use of personal electronic devices.

 Entire resolution can be viewed as a PDF (link): BC 2009.01

Resolutions are acted upon once adopted by a vote at the highest level concerned.

If a resolution is forwarded to and accepted by the Provincial Resolutions Committee, passed at Provincial Convention, and directed to the Provincial Government – the Resolution is posted on the CWL Provincial website.

If a resolution is forwarded to and accepted by the Provincial Resolutions Committee, passed at Provincial Convention, and directed to the Federal Government – the resolution is forwarded to the National Resolutions Committee.  When a resolution is forwarded to the National Resolutions Committee, and accepted, it is then presented on the convention floor.  If not passed by delegates on the National Convention floor, it is no longer a resolution; however it may be directed to National standing committee chairpersons for the purpose of educating members.

If passed by delegates on the National Convention floor, it becomes a League Resolution and is posted on the CWL National website.  We do not duplicate information that is on the National CWL website, but will provide links to information on League resolutions.

BC 2009.01 : Regulating the Use of Personal Electronic Devices on School Premises

BC 2008.01 : Ban The Use of Cell Phones while Driving

The following BC/YK resolution was adopted at National:

2008.01 : Preventing Human Trafficking at 2010 Olympics

2006.01 : Religious Freedom

2005.01 : Christmas Postage Stamps
2005.04 : Ratification of International Covenant re: Death Penalty
2005.08 : MaterCare International Funding
2005.11 : Assisted Suicide – a Criminal Offence

BC 2004.01 : Labour Act Amendments – Consequences for Children
BC 2004.02 : Resignations of British Columbia Marriage Commissioners

The following BC/YK resolutions were adopted at National:

2004.01 : Child Care Tax Deduction for Families With a Stay-at-Home Parent
2004.02 : End Trafficking of Children

BC 2003.01 : Regulations Regarding Control of Dangerous Dogs in British Columbia – Victoria

The following BC/YK resolutions were adopted at National:

2003.01 : Affordable Housing for Low-Income Canadians
2003.05 : Type 2 Diabetes and You
2003.07 : Education on Marijuana (with PEI)

Resolution 2008.01

Ban the Use of Cell Phones While Driving

Whereas,     In British Columbia there are, on average, eight people killed in traffic crashes every week and about 50,000 people being injured every year in traffic crashes; and

Whereas,    Chances of being involved in a crash increases 38% if the driver is using a cell phone; and

Whereas,    Tests suggest that drivers’ level of distraction increases while they use cell phones; therefore, be it

Resolved,     That the BC and Yukon Council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada in 61st annual convention assembled, urge the British Columbia Provincial Government and the Yukon Territorial Government to amend the Highway Traffic Act to ban the use of cell phones while driving.

Action Plan

1. Write and/or call Provincial/Territorial Ministry and local MP asking for amendment to the Highway traffic act to ban the use of cell phones while driving.
2. Promote and raise awareness at Provincial, Diocesan and Parish Councils of the dangers of driving while using cell phones.

Resolution BC 2004.02  (Legislation, presented by Kamloops Diocese)

Resignations of British Columbia Marriage Commissioners

Whereas,     Marriage Commissioners in British Columbia are being compelled to resign if they will not solemnize a marriage between same-sex partners, and

Whereas,     The British Columbia Human Rights Code Part 1, Section 13 states in part a person must not

(a) refuse to employ or refuse to continue to employ a person or
(b) discriminate against a person regarding employment or any term or condition of employment because of race, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion …; therefore, be it

Resolved,    That the BC & Yukon Provincial Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada in 57th annual convention assembled request the Minister of Health of British Columbia to reverse its decision demanding the resignation of Marriage Commissioners who refuse to solemnize same sex unions. » Read the rest of this entry »

Resolution BC 2004.01  (Legislation, presented by Vancouver Diocese)

Labour Act Amendments – Consequences for Children

Whereas,    Bill 37 the Amendment to the British Columbia Employment Standards Act repealed the requirement of a permit from the Employment Standards Branch when a prospective employer wished to hire a child aged 12 to 15; and

Whereas,    Written consent from one parent or a legal guardian is now the only requirement to hire a child aged 12 to 15; and

Whereas,     The previous permit system allowed trained staff from the Employment Standards Branch to be involved in the hiring of children in order to set conditions of employment and assess work place hazards; therefore be it

Resolved,    That the BC & Yukon Provincial Council of the Catholic Women’s League of Canada in 57th annual convention assembled

• urge the Provincial Government of B.C. to reinstate the requirement for a work permit in addition to the consent of a parent or legal guardian prior to employment of a child aged 12 to 15
• urge the revision of the regulations governing child labour by implementing further restrictions on prohibited occupations and the times of day that children may be employed to protect them from exploitation. » Read the rest of this entry »

Resolution BC 2003.01  (Community Life/Legislation Standing Committees, presented by Victoria Diocese)

REGULATIONS REGARDING CONTROL OF DANGEROUS DOGS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

Whereas,    potentially dangerous and vicious dogs have become a serious and widespread threat to the safety and welfare of citizens of this province; and

Whereas,    numerous individuals, particularly children, have been assaulted without provocation and seriously injured by dogs and many of these attacks have occurred in public places; therefore, be it

Resolved,    that the B.C. & Yukon Provincial Council of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada in 56th annual convention assembled, urge the Government of British Columbia in conjunction with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities to enact legislation to:

a) ban dangerous dogs from residential areas in cities and towns in British Columbia, and
b) create stronger laws to impose severe penalties to owners who violate the existing regulations » Read the rest of this entry »