Improve the diagnosis experience for people living with dementia

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.  

People living with dementia and their care partners tell us that getting a diagnosis is difficult, and that once a diagnosis is received, they do not have clarity about what happens next or if the supports they will need will be available. A clear clinical care pathway following a diagnosis can give people an opportunity to plan, put supports in place and access preventative measures that may slow the progression of their disease. We see a clear clinical pathway for diseases such as cancer, but not for dementia. Putting a pathway in place will help people affected by dementia better understand the next steps after a diagnosis and ensure that everyone receives the care they deserve.  

“Having access to earlier diagnosis would be huge – if we first eliminated the stigma associated with a diagnosis. These people could get on with their lives. There is still a lot of life to live if the diagnosis is early – instead of not having a formal diagnosis and going through that time knowing that something is wrong with you, being afraid and having your loved ones wondering what is wrong.” - Person living with dementia 

A clinical pathway for dementia would also guide health-care providers, such as general practitioners, to support people from pre-diagnosis to end-of-life. It would outline the general progression of the disease, detailing clinical care and relevant community supports available at each stage. While family physicians often serve as the first point of contact when someone has concerns about their cognitive health, the chronic shortage of family doctors in the province complicates the journey for those affected. Similarly, the availability of geriatric specialists, such as geriatricians, who diagnose and treat many older adults living with dementia, remains alarmingly low. Recent estimates suggest that the province requires almost twice the number of geriatricians it currently has. This widening gap highlights the critical need for more incentives to attract and establish a new generation of geriatricians. We urgently need to expand loan forgiveness programs and introduce special incentives within the family physician payment model to encourage more physicians to specialize in seniors' care. 

A key component of a clinical pathway is the community supports available throughout the disease progression. We know that our First Link® services provide invaluable support for people living with dementia, including programs, services, information and resources within a community of support. In the last year, we have broadened our programs and resources to better meet the needs of people of different ethnocultural backgrounds, people within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and people living in rural or remote communities. It is paramount that we continue this work as the number of people affected by dementia and the cultural and linguistic diversity of the province grows.  

To respond to these issues, we are calling on electoral candidates to commit to the following: 

• Develop a clinical pathway for dementia which includes coordinated supports throughout the dementia journey. 

• Build on existing programs to provide additional incentives for geriatricians and physicians who commit to specializing in the care of older adults.  

• Commit to $4.2 million annual funding for the Alzheimer Society of B.C. to deliver First Link® dementia support and meet the needs of people facing dementia within equity-deserving communities in B.C. 

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. We are seeking commitments from all parties to go further to support people affected by dementia in the province. We are also asking for candidates to commit to taking actions to break down stigma and social isolation, and ensure the right support is available at the right time by improving the quality and accessibility of existing services. 

In the lead up to the election, consider sharing your voice by writing to your MLA. Visit BCVotesDementia.ca and use our simple tool to do this or learn more about our policy recommendations. As we get closer to the election and all candidates are announced, you will be able to write to every MLA hopeful in your area.