Our last strategic plan was launched in 2018, spanning until 2023. Little did we know at the time that a global pandemic would alter the course of our services and our world as we knew it. Flexibility and agility during this time became a requirement, not just a goal, and our strategy shifted to meet the new demands faced by people living with dementia and care partners across our region.
In 2022, under my leadership, a refreshed 3-year plan was developed to incorporate new program delivery models (like online programs), as well as future stability, fundraising, and the ever-growing need to serve the almost 12,000 people living with dementia in Durham Region, along with their care partners, families, and health system providers.
Now, in 2026, with the Alzheimer Society of Canada predicting a tripling of dementia diagnoses between 2020 and 2050, we anticipate the number of people living with dementia in Durham Region will reach close to 24,000 by 2030. As a result, our new 5-year plan was designed to be bold, innovative, and to elevate ASDR’s presence as an integral member of the health system to meet the demand we face.
Through community consultation, focus groups with clients, volunteers and staff, and interviews with community partners, we came together in a 2-day planning session with our Board of Directors and Leadership Team to plan for the future.
