Break down stigma and social isolation this election

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is calling on people from across the province to join us in speaking up about dementia in the lead up to the 2024 provincial election. We are asking candidates to commit to a funded dementia strategy which would prioritize breaking down stigma and isolation, improving the diagnosis experience and ensuring access to the right support at the right time.

Stigma can affect quality of life throughout the journey for people affected by dementia. Negative attitudes held by friends, family and professionals often discourages people from getting a diagnosis, seeking treatment and support or disclosing their illness. According to the 2019 World Alzheimer Report, the most promising approaches to reducing stigma include specialized education about dementia-related stigma and targeted public health awareness and messaging.

The link between stigma and delayed diagnosis is well established. Research has shown how stigma contributes to feelings of shame, lowers self-worth and can result in social isolation. According to a Leger-led online survey conducted for the Alzheimer Society of Canada, one in five people stated that if they lived with dementia, they would avoid seeking help for as long as possible to avoid associated stigma. Similarly, 46 per cent of respondents said they would feel ashamed or embarrassed if they lived with dementia. Research commissioned by the Alzheimer Society of B.C. also found that more than seven in 10 respondents agreed that people living with dementia experienced some form of stigma.

The Province of B.C. needs to increase investments in public awareness campaigns aimed at dispelling misconceptions about dementia. In the lead up to the provincial election this October 19, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. is asking political parties to allocate $10 million to a three-year, provincewide, public awareness campaign focused on reducing misconceptions about dementia.

“My mom was afraid that if she took a memory test and there was any sign of trouble with her brain she would be locked up in what she referred to as an ‘insane asylum.’ I had no idea she had this fear. I had no idea that anyone thought this would be a potential outcome of a memory test. She now knows that this isn’t the case, but had this fear not existed, I believe that she would have agreed to go for a memory test a year sooner.” - A caregiver.

While increased dementia awareness is fundamental to reducing stigma, all members of society have a role to play in supporting people affected by dementia to remain engaged and supported in their daily lives. The first step in achieving this involves equipping whole communities – including health-care providers, all sectors of B.C.’s workforce and the general public – with basic dementia education. British Columbians need to know how to communicate with someone who may be living with dementia, and programs, services and policies need to be inclusive and welcoming. Physical spaces should not only be accessible and safe, but allow people living with dementia to maximize their independence and engagement in the community.

The Province’s Age-Friendly Communities program provides grant funding which allows local municipalities to launch projects that support older people to live active, socially engaged, independent lives. This has included projects specific to supporting people affected by dementia. We are calling on political candidates to commit to investing an additional $500,000 through Age-Friendly Communities grants to support the development of more dementia-friendly communities.