The Alzheimer Society of Canada identifies, develops and facilitates national priorities that enable its members to effectively alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer's and related diseases, promotes research and leads the search for a cure.
History Of Alzheimer Society of Canada
** 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 Society's work since its early years.
Historical note, 1906: Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German neurologist and psychiatrist, first described what later became known as Alzheimer's 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 Alzheimer's 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 Société Alzheimer Society, the first organization of its kind in the world. Forty-five 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 non-profit 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 Finance/Fundraising 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 Alzheimer's 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 Société Alzheimer Society, the first organization of its kind in the world. Forty-five 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 non-profit 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 Finance/Fundraising 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 Alzheimer's disease and related
conditions, their relatives and/or care providers
2 to represent people with Alzheimer's 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 Alzheimer's disease and related
conditions
* 1984
The Alzheimer Society of Canada joins the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association in the U.S. (known now as the Alzheimer's Association) and representatives from seven other countries to form Alzheimer's 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 Society's Executive Director, Vince Gillis, begins a two-year term as Acting Secretary-General of Alzheimer's Disease International.
The general membership approves the establishment of a three-tier system with
1 a national office (known as the Alzheimer Society of Canada) to co-ordinate
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
Alzheimer's 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 **
"To alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer's disease and to promote the search for a cause and cure."
* 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 society-wide graphics standards to create "one look" 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 Society's Strategic Planning Process.
* 2003
A person with dementia joins the Alzheimer Society's national Board of Directors to provide a key perspective and help direct the Society's work.
* 2004
The Alzheimer Society of Canada and the National Advisory Council on Aging join forces in calling for a National Strategy on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. While provincial Alzheimer strategies currently exist, a co-ordinated and comprehensive approach is required at the national level involving government, agencies and people affected by Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. The two organizations continue to work towards making the National Strategy a reality.
* 2004-2005
People with early stage Alzheimer's 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 Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Alois Alzheimer identified the disease in 1906.
