Ensure the right support is available

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.  

Timely and adequate support for people living with dementia is critical for maintaining quality of life and promoting well-being. These supports range from home support services, which allow people to remain in their familiar environments while receiving assistance with daily activities, to long-term care homes, which provide specialized care for those with more advanced needs. With the population of people over age 65 expected to double by 2037 and a growing number of people living with dementia, it is important that the province takes proactive measures to meet demand and ensure that the right support is available when it is needed most. 
 

“I started to think about all of the seniors in our province who don’t have means and don’t have a child who can do for them what I do for my mom. It was at that point that I reached out to the Alzheimer Society of B.C. to see if there was anything that I could help with to address some of the failings of our system.”  - A caregiver 

Within the community, adult day programs play a vital role in providing a range of personal care, health care and therapeutic activities for people living with dementia. They also offer valuable respite to family caregivers. Ensuring access to adult day programs not only supports the independence and quality of life of people who attend, but also contribute to the overall sustainability of B.C.’s health-care system by supporting people living with dementia to remain at home for longer. 

While most people living with dementia want to remain at home for as long as possible, for many, the availability, appropriateness and cost of home support makes this challenging, especially for people who lack the support of friends and family nearby. As identified by the Office of the Seniors Advocate, high fees for home support are a significant barrier to access. People living with dementia and their families also tell us that what is available through the publicly subsidized home support system does not reflect their needs. These challenges of poor access and ill-suited services can result in added strain on acute care or an earlier transition to long-term care. 
 
We also know that increased wait times for long-term care have a profound impact on people. While long-term care will become necessary for many people living with dementia as the disease progresses, long waitlists mean people are often waiting many months in the community without the support they need. As demand increases and the number of available care spaces falls behind, the challenges of accessing long-term care will only grow. Significant investments from the provincial government and support from the federal government is urgently needed to increase long-term care beds in B.C.   

Assisted living is a housing model that can offer a valuable alternative to long-term care by meeting a person’s support needs while enabling them to live as independently as possible. While the model is not intended for people living with dementia within publicly subsidized care given the progressive nature of the disease, safety concerns and the requirement that assisted living residents be able to manage their own affairs, it is increasingly turned to as an alternative housing option within the private sector, warranting a review of how and where people living with dementia live and receive care throughout their disease progression.  

“Our hospitals have become transition places for those awaiting a bed in long-term care, putting a strain on our already strained system. Long-term care has become more of a crisis response versus a choice. We need more beds and better accessibility to long-term care settings that eliminate barriers for those impacted by dementia. People should be able to find a bed in their community of choice versus the risk of being sent to another community hours away.” - A caregiver  

To address these issues, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. calls on all political parties to:  

• Improve access to adult day programs and support the elimination fees for publicly funded home care. 

• Commit to developing a strategy to meet future demand for long-term care beds. 

• Commit to reviewing the province’s assisted living model to determine how it can best support people living with dementia. 

 
These asks are part of the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s provincial pre-election campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the reality of dementia in B.C. and seeking commitments from all parties to go further to support people affected by dementia in the province. Other priority policy areas covered in the campaign include breaking down stigma and social isolation, and improving the diagnosis experience. 
 
In the lead up to the election, consider sharing your voice by writing a letter to the candidates in your area. Visit BCVotesDementia.ca and use our simple tool to do this or learn about our other policy pillars.