The Alzheimer’s Society of Greater Simcoe County, in its direst prediction to date, warns of alarming rise in the number of Alzheimer’s patients in Canada.

The report titled Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society, states that in the coming future nearly 400,000 residents of Ontario are expected to be victims of dementia with the annual cases tripling to more than 98,000. According to the report, by the year 2038, every two minutes will witness a Canadian developing the condition.

Also, women, it seemed, were more susceptible to the deadly mental illness, as they on an average had a longer life span, and also underwent more hormonal changes particularly during menopause. A family history of the condition also made one more vulnerable.

Following the report the society held various workshops and talks, educating persons on the causes, symptoms and preventive measures. Laura-Lynn Bourassa, the education coordinator for the society, encourages people to do new activities each day that would continue to forge new mental pathways.

“The more people understand Alzheimer’s, the more support’s out there and the more people can help prevent it in their own lives”, she said.