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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
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Every year, nearly 14,000 British Columbians develop Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia.
More than 64,000 people in this province are currently living with dementia. They and their families have a voice that, together with the Alzheimer Society’s, can make a difference in the way government looks at Alzheimer's care. We call this Public Policy.
In this section you’ll find:
What is public policy?
Public policy is advocacy aimed at changing or influencing individual behaviour, public opinion, and government policy or law. It consists of different strategies including speaking up, drawing the public's attention to an important issue, and directing decision-makers toward a solution.
The public policy process
Volunteers help form our Advocacy Committee to help us identify issues of concern to people whose lives are affected by Alzheimer's disease. This volunteer committee helps us:
- Be aware of issues in your community
- Determine our strategy
- Communicate our messages
- Understand other positions
- Share stories
Our current public policy issues
Right now, we are focusing on two major issues with our government:
- To include the three Health Canada-approved medications in PharmaCare's drug plan. British Columbia is the only province that does not have even one Alzheimer medication covered by PharmaCare.
In October 2007, the provincial government launched the province-wide Alzheimer’s Drug Therapy Initiative (ADTI), aimed at increasing access to Alzheimer’s medications. Read more...
- To commit to enhancing the community care system so people with dementia get the best possible health care when they need it, in their own communities. We are calling on the government to commit to the BC Dementia Service Framework.
Full details on these two issues are contained in our Public Policy & Advocacy Kit. We'll continue to keep you informed about these issues as they develop.
What you can do
- Write, call or e-mail your MLA in your area about the Alzheimer Society's two key issues. Offer to send information or write a letter. All these resources are contained in our Public Policy & Advocacy Kit.
- Meet with your MLA. Contact the MLA's constituency office (MLA Finder) and ask for a brief meeting. It can be helpful to team up with another person to compare notes.
- Become an Alzheimer advocate. Share your personal story through the media.
- Join the Alzheimer Society of B.C. Advocacy Committee, and help us with our public policy goals.
If you would like to help us in our advocacy efforts with government, want to bring some issues to our attention, or you need more information, contact Barbara Lindsay, Manager of Advocacy and Public Policy, at 1-800-667-3742 or e-mail blindsay@alzheimerbc.org.
Related information
- Transforming Dementia Care in B.C.
Held in April 2005, this conference brought together health-care professionals, decision makers, and people living with the disease. The result was a commitment to the thousands of British Columbians living with the disease and their caregivers to keep quality of life paramount. (This page links to archived conference information and documentation.)
- The BC Dementia Service Framework
Completed in March 2007, this document provides a solid foundation for action in the care and support of people living with dementia.
- The Alzheimer’s Drug Therapy Initiative (ADTI)
Launched in the fall of 2007, this study is gathering evidence on the efficacy of the drugs used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Grant to Improve Dementia Care in BC
Administered by the Alzheimer Society of B.C., this $1-million grant from the Ministry of Health is funding seven innovative projects that are moving forward in regions around the province. Each one addresses gaps in the health care system.
 Useful links
Dementia statistics in B.C. and Canada
B.C. Ministry of Health Services
Public Policy & Advocacy Kit
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