Submitted by the Alzheimer Society of B.C.

Provincial policy isn’t adequately addressing the challenges families face on the dementia journey. With an election campaign period beginning on September 21 – World Alzheimer’s Day – the Alzheimer Society of B.C. is asking all candidates to make dementia a priority.

This is more urgent than ever as the estimated 85,000 people living with dementia in B.C. will climb to a quarter of a million by 2050.

“With the growing number of people living with dementia in British Columbia, it is essential that government officials implement appropriate measures to not only support caregivers and people living with dementia, but also to create real change in our health-care system,” said Jennifer Lyle, CEO, Alzheimer Society of B.C.

Based on consultation with people living with dementia and their caregivers, the Society wants to see candidates commit to supporting a fully funded dementia strategy by focusing on three key pillars:

• Helping break down stigma;
• Improving the diagnosis experience;
• Ensuring the right support is available at the right time.

The link between stigma and delayed diagnosis is well established. Stigma contributes to feelings of shame, lowers self-worth and can result in feelings of isolation. When people no longer fear the stigma that is associated with dementia, they will be more likely to seek medical advice and a diagnosis earlier, which will benefit their treatment.

People living with dementia and their caregivers report that getting a diagnosis in B.C. is difficult. And once they have one, they do not get clarity about what happens next or if the supports they need will be available.

Not all doctors are equipped with the right tools or training to address the needs of people seeking a diagnosis or treatment, and an aging population has outpaced the supply of geriatricians and other specialists. A timely diagnosis gives people the opportunity to plan and access support that may help slow the progression of the disease.

The final key to improving the experience for people in B.C. who are affected by dementia is ensuring that the right support is available at the right time for anyone seeking help.

Home support, adult day programs and long-term care all offer essential care and provide a vital role in supporting families on the dementia journey.  The Society says B.C. needs to improve access to, and enhance the quality and accessibility of ,existing services to ensure that people affected by dementia receive the support they need, when and where they need it.

 “The Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s focus on these three areas of concern, expressed by people living with dementia and caregivers, should alert candidates to the kinds of doorstep conversations they can expect to hear on the campaign trail,” says Jim Mann, a long-time advocate who is living with dementia. “This election is too important for those of us living with dementia to simply ignore the opportunity.”

According to a recent study on behalf of the organization by Leger Canada, 51 per cent of British Columbians said that they are more likely to vote for party with a dementia strategy. This election, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. is offering tools and resources for anyone concerned about the future of dementia care to contact their local candidates and have their voices heard.

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. has invited representatives from all political parties to a virtual Town Hall event on September 23 at noon. Electoral candidates will have the opportunity to share their vision of how they plan to help people affected by dementia. Society CEO Lyle and Mann will facilitate the discussion.

The event will provide voters an opportunity to voice their concerns about dementia in B.C. and learn more about what the prospective elected officials plan for the province.

“Our upcoming town hall is an opportunity for everyone to speak out on important issues surrounding dementia and our path forward,” says Lyle.

“We need them to know that the time has come for real and positive action,” says Mann.

Visit BCVotesDementia.ca to learn more, submit questions directly to the candidates using the Write Your Candidate tool, and join the Alzheimer Society of B.C. in calling for a fully funded dementia strategy that invests in improving the lives of people affected by dementia.

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