Alzheimer's Awareness Month in Canada
Message from Dr. Jane Rylett
January is Alzheimer's Awareness Month in Canada, providing an opportunity to highlight the importance of research, awareness, and support for those impacted by dementia.
Dementia reaches well beyond those living with the condition. It impacts our healthcare systems, support networks, families, caregivers, and our communities. As a caregiver, I supported my father through this journey. The experience reinforced my commitment to advancing our understanding of brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders.
The CIHR Institute of Aging team and I remain committed to advancing research and building partnerships to better understand the complexities of dementia. By supporting brain health research and knowledge mobilization, we aim to improve treatments and outcomes for people living with dementia and address the needs of caregivers and the community.
As part of this effort, we have been instrumental in developing and delivering the Brain Health and Cognitive Impairment in Aging (BHCIA) Research Initiative. The BHCIA Research Initiative is funding more than 100 research projects, with a focus on key areas as directed in the National Dementia Strategy for Canada: quality of life, prevention and risk reduction, pursuit of cures, and advancing therapies.
The Dementia Research and Innovation Funders Alliance (the Alliance), part of the BHCIA Research Initiative, fosters collaboration between research funders and community-based organizations across Canada to maximize the impact of dementia research through joint initiatives and collaborative efforts.
During several events throughout 2025, we brought together researchers, international organizations, research funders, policymakers, community members, persons with lived experience and caregivers to share their knowledge, findings and experiences.
These gatherings provided a valuable and unique space for building collaborations, enabling knowledge sharing, and helping us understand the ways to support brain health research and what measures can help improve the lives of older adults and caregivers.
In 2026, we will continue these important activities by hosting knowledge mobilization and sharing opportunities for funded projects, supporting the Alliance, and other BHCIA activities. On these occasions, we can highlight progress, share emerging evidence, and build new research opportunities for brain health in aging and dementia research. These efforts will support people impacted by Alzheimer's disease and other neurogenerative diseases experienced by the aging Canadian population.
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