The Public Health Agency of Canada says according to the latest numbers, almost 477,000 people 65 and older have been diagnosed with dementia in this country.

A news release from the federal government says the rate of newly diagnosed cases has been decreasing over the past decade when age is taken into account, partly due to improvements in the adoption of healthy behaviours.

The Minister of Health, Mark Holland, has announced just over $17 million to raise awareness, promote healthy behaviours that reduce risk, improve access to dementia guidance, and enhance provincial and territorial online information sources.

The three national objectives in Canada’s dementia strategy are to prevent dementia, advance therapies and find a cure and improve the quality of life for those living with dementia and their caregivers.