Alzheimer Society of Canada

Description

Vision of the Alzheimer Society of Canada

A World Without Alzheimers and Related Diseases

Mission of the Alzheimer Society of Canada

The Alzheimer Society of Canada identifies develops and facilitates national priorities that enable its members to effectively alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimers and related diseases promotes research and leads the search for a cure

History

Introduction
Since its founding in 1978 the Alzheimer Society has grown and expanded to serve Canadians from coast to coast You can learn more about that evolution here and read some of the highlights of the Societys work since its early years

Historical note 1906 Dr Alois Alzheimer a German neurologist and psychiatrist first described what later became known as Alzheimers disease a progressive degenerative brain disease with no known cause or cure

Alzheimer Society Milestones
1977
The Alzheimer Society is established when researchers at the University of Toronto and Surrey Place Centre who are investigating Alzheimers disease become deeply concerned about the lack of support available to families affected by the disease A Steering Group composed of researchers family members professional staff and a resource person is formed

1978
It becomes clear to the Steering Group that some form of an organization is needed and it identifies three major goals family support education and research The Steering Group expands and becomes an Interim Board of Directors The organization is incorporated federally under the name Socieacuteteacute Alzheimer Society the first organization of its kind in the world Fortyfive people attend the founding meeting of the Alzheimer Society A bank account for the Alzheimer Society is opened with an initial deposit of 100

1979
The Society receives charitable status as a nonprofit organization Working committees are established in each of the three identified areas of focus Local chapters are formed in Toronto Hamilton London and Guelph Ontario and regional representatives are identified in every province

1980
In addition to three standing committees Education Research and Family Support the Board activates a FinanceFundraising Committee to generate funds for Society programs

1977
The Alzheimer Society is established when researchers at the University of Toronto and Surrey Place Centre who are investigating Alzheimers disease become deeply concerned about the lack of support available to families affected by the disease A Steering Group composed of researchers family members professional staff and a resource person is formed

1978
It becomes clear to the Steering Group that some form of an organization is needed and it identifies three major goals family support education and research The Steering Group expands and becomes an Interim Board of Directors The organization is incorporated federally under the name Socieacuteteacute Alzheimer Society the first organization of its kind in the world Fortyfive people attend the founding meeting of the Alzheimer Society A bank account for the Alzheimer Society is opened with an initial deposit of 100

1979
The Society receives charitable status as a nonprofit organization Working committees are established in each of the three identified areas of focus Local chapters are formed in Toronto Hamilton London and Guelph Ontario and regional representatives are identified in every province

1980
In addition to three standing committees Education Research and Family Support the Board activates a FinanceFundraising Committee to generate funds for Society programs

In these early years the Alzheimer Society known to many as the Alzheimer Movement works
1 to provide support to people with Alzheimers disease and related
conditions their relatives andor care providers

2 to represent people with Alzheimers disease and other concerned
individuals and groups before all levels of government

3 to promote public and professional awareness of the disease and the fact
that help is available

4 to support and encourage research into Alzheimers disease and related
conditions

1984
The Alzheimer Society of Canada joins the Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders Association in the US known now as the Alzheimers Association and representatives from seven other countries to form Alzheimers Disease International

1985
The Society creates a Research Policy Committee to advise the Board and give policy direction in research and a Research Review Panel of academic researchers to review submissions for research grants

1986
The Societys Executive Director Vince Gillis begins a twoyear term as Acting SecretaryGeneral of Alzheimers Disease International

The general membership approves the establishment of a threetier system with

1 a national office known as the Alzheimer Society of Canada to coordinate
Canadian and international activities

2 provincial organizations to liaise with local chapters and support groups

3 chapters and support groups to offer direct services to people with

Alzheimers disease and their families

1987
The Society enters into an affiliation agreement with the Nova Scotia provincial association

The Society adopts a new Mission Statement

quotTo alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimers disease and to promote the search for a cause and curequot

1988
The Board ratifies affiliation agreements with the British Columbia Saskatchewan Manitoba and Alberta provincial associations

1990
The Alzheimer Society convenes a strategic planning session to develop Vision Statements for the future identify priorities for action and build a framework to allocate resources of the national Society The Society enters into affiliation agreements with the New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island provincial associations

1991
The Society enters into an affiliation agreement with the Newfoundland provincial association

1993
The Alzheimer Society goes nationwide with the signing of formal affiliation agreements with the Quebec and Ontario provincial associations

1994
The Society develops a Unified Research Program to fund Alzheimer research across the country The Board expands and approves vision statements for the future direction of the Society

1998
All provincial Alzheimer organizations now begin using the name Alzheimer Society and all accept a set of societywide graphics standards to create quotone lookquot for the organization nationwide A Unity Task Force is struck to address issues of roles and responsibilities at the various levels of the organization and to develop a sound financial framework for raising and distributing revenues

2001
A Memorandum of Understanding MOU developed over the previous three years is signed by the Alzheimer Society of Canada and its partner members provincial Alzheimer Societies The MOU establishes a common understanding and direction for future activities of the Society This document marks an important milestone in the growth of the organization A Planning Assembly builds on the momentum of the signing of the MOU to agree on strategic priorities and launch the Societys Strategic Planning Process

2003
A person with dementia joins the Alzheimer Societys national Board of Directors to provide a key perspective and help direct the Societys work

2004
The Alzheimer Society of Canada and the National Advisory Council on Aging join forces in calling for a National Strategy on Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementias While provincial Alzheimer strategies currently exist a coordinated and comprehensive approach is required at the national level involving government agencies and people affected by Alzheimers disease or a related dementia The two organizations continue to work towards making the National Strategy a reality

20042005
People with early stage Alzheimers disease and dementia are contributing on Provincial and Chapter boards and in other volunteer capacities across the country

2006
The Alzheimer Society recognizes the 100th anniversary of the identification of Alzheimers disease Dr Alois Alzheimer identified the disease in 1906