Making dementia a priority in this provincial election

Our provincial election is right around the corner – advance polls are already open and election day is less than two weeks away on November 26. Dementia care needs to be a top priority.

Over 16,000 people in Nova Scotia are living with dementia, and that number is expected to double by 2050. It’s more important than ever for all candidates and political parties to commit to addressing gaps in dementia care in our province.

Here at the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, we are calling on all political parties to adopt commitments to increase awareness of dementia and address gaps in dementia care. We’ve highlighted four dementia care priorities. We’re asking our government officials to:

1. Help break down stigma and social isolation by funding and promoting a targeted dementia awareness campaign for health care professionals with the aim of increasing understanding around dementia.
    
2. Improve the diagnosis experience by promoting the Best Practice Toolkit for Dementia Diagnosis, Management and Care Planning developed for primary health care providers as part of the Nova Scotia Dementia Strategy.
    
3. Encourage Dementia Friendly Community developments by including specific funding for Dementia Friendly Community initiatives in the Age-Friendly Communities Grant program, especially for equity deserving communities.
    
4. Increase investments across the care continuum from home care to long term care for people living with dementia and their care partners by ensuring that the right support is available at the right time including respite for care partners.

We’ve sent each political party a letter outlining these priorities and asked them how they would address each issue. We will publish their responses here on our website when we receive them.

We also need your help to get the word out and let your candidates know why dementia is an important issue for you, your family and your community.

Here are five ways you can help advocate for improved dementia care: 

1. Write an email or letter to candidates in your riding using this template.
2. Talk to canvassing candidates at your door.  
3. Request a one-on-one meeting with your candidates.  
4. Attend an all-candidate debate and ask questions.  
5. Vote! You can help others to vote by providing transportation to a voting station.

How and when can you vote?

There are many ways to cast your ballot in this year’s election. You can choose to vote before election day using one of the early voting options or on election day at your assigned voting station. Learn more about the nearest polls here or call Elections Nova Scotia at 1-800-565-1504.

We’re encouraging people with dementia and their care partners to get out and vote. As the election nears, we have an opportunity to make dementia care a priority.

Note: Elections Nova Scotia will not be mailing out voter information cards for this year's election due to the postal strike. To find your local voting information, click here.