Ontario couple advocates for wider access to Alzheimer’s treatments

Bob and Wendy Gardner of London Ont., are advocating for access to Alzheimer’s treatment. (Reta Ismail/CTV News London)

A London, Ont. couple is sharing their experience with Alzheimer’s disease in hopes of helping other families gain access to treatments that can slow the progression of the disease.

Bob Gardner, a 70-year-old retired Ontario Provincial Police officer, was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease after noticing subtle changes in his memory and speech.

“Physically, I feel the same,” Gardner said. “But I may be talking to somebody, and I’ll forget what I’m saying to them also, and it’s kind of hard that way,” said Bob.

With a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, Gardner recognized the warning signs and sought medical attention early. That early diagnosis allowed him to qualify for a recently approved disease-modifying therapy designed to slow the progression of the disease.

While Gardner is now receiving treatment, he and his wife, Wendy, say accessing it was a difficult process. The couple is now speaking out on behalf of other patients who may not have the same opportunity.

“We are fortunate that he’s able to get the infusions and that it’s helping our family, making memories and appreciating the time we have with him,” said Wendy. “Where there’s others that are not so lucky that they depend on our health-care system for support.”

Health Canada has approved two disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s. Unlike traditional treatments that focus on managing symptoms, the therapies target the disease itself and can slow its progression.

“For the first time, and in Canada as well, we have two therapies that are now approved by Health Canada that actually slow the disease down,” said Dr. Jaspreet Bhangu, a geriatrician at Parkwood Institute. “They don’t just treat symptoms, but they slow the disease down. What that means for individual patients is huge.”

Despite the approvals, advocates say access remains limited because the treatments are not currently covered by provincial health plans, leaving many patients to pay out of pocket.

The Alzheimer Society of Ontario is urging the provincial government to fund disease-modifying therapies for eligible patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

More than 700 people have already sent letters to their MPPs through the Action for Dementia campaign, calling on the province to improve access to the treatments.

“These drugs do exist, they are available, they’re not covered,” said Adam Morrison, senior director of public policy and partnerships with the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. “It’s really important to us that ability to pay is not a barrier to access to these drugs where patients want it as part of their treatment plan and where they’re going to be eligible.”

The Alzheimer Society of Ontario says access to treatment should not depend on a patient’s financial circumstances.

For Bob and Wendy Gardner, the goal is simple: ensuring more families facing an Alzheimer’s diagnosis have the same opportunity to access treatment and gain valuable time together.