Together we can improve dementia care in B.C.

Because people like you have shared their stories and made time to speak to decision-makers in their community, dementia care in B.C. has changed dramatically over the last decade.

Tell us your story: If you have a story or experience you would like to share, please contact Barbara Lindsay at 604-742-4918 (toll-free 1-800-667-3742) or e-mail blindsay@alzheimerbc.org.

 

Using advocacy to influence change

By working with the provincial government and other strategic partners, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and our Alzheimer Advocates have encouraged and informed decision makers, and helped to facilitate better dementia care in B.C.

This progress includes:

 Improving access to Alzheimer’s medications:
   In response to our calls to add the three Health Canada-approved medications for Alzheimer’s disease to PharmaCare’s drug benefit plan, the provincial government launched the province-wide Alzheimer’s Drug Therapy Initiative in October 2007.

This four-phase initiative aims to increase access to these medications while studying the efficacy of the medications in the mild to moderate stages of the disease.
 Enhancing care in the community:
  We’ve asked the B.C. government to commit to enhancing the community care system, so people with dementia get the best health care when they need it, in their own communities.

One result from this work is the Dementia Service Framework, a blueprint for establishing a responsive and effective health care system that sets out a vision: that people living with dementia will lead full lives, through a shared passion for action by all stakeholders.
 An investment in dementia care:
  Demonstrating its commitment to the Dementia Service Framework, the B.C. Ministry of Health Services gave the Alzheimer Society of B.C. a $1-million Grant to Improve Dementia Care in B.C.

These funds were distributed in January 2008 to seven initiatives which each addressed an identified gap in the health system; some were community-based, while others can be accessed province-wide.

The Alzheimer Society also hosted two learning forums that brought together leaders in dementia care, to create momentum that will lead to change throughout the system. Read more...

Our knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia increases every day, as does our understanding about the support and services people affected by dementia really need.

Without continued provincial leadership, and without fundamental changes in the way dementia health care is organized and resourced, these gains will be lost and B.C. won’t be ready to meet the needs of these individuals and families.

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Contact

Barbara Lindsay
Manager of Advocacy and Public Policy
Phone: 604.742.4918
Toll-free: 1.800.667.3742
Fax: 604.669.6907
E-mail: blindsay@alzheimerbc.org