Provincial election 2024

The provincial election in British Columbia is on October 19, 2024, and we want candidates to prioritize dementia. Approximately 85,000 people in British Columbia currently live with dementia, a number that is expected to grow to almost a quarter-million by 2050. B.C. urgently needs a dementia strategy to ensure the province is able to address existing and anticipated challenges.

We have identified three priority areas where we believe B.C.’s government can go further to help families affected by dementia:

Help break down stigma and social isolation. Stigma has a profound impact on people living with dementia, as well as families, friends and care partners. It can make people delay the diagnosis or become reluctant to seek help. It also contributes to feelings of shame, lowers self-worth and can result in social isolation. Learn more about this priority here.

Improve the diagnosis experience by establishing a clear dementia care pathway and do more to attract geriatricians. People living with dementia and their care partners tell us getting a diagnosis is difficult, and that once they get one, they do not have clarity about what happens next or if the supports they need will be available. A timely diagnosis gives people an opportunity to plan and access treatment and support that may help slow the progression of the disease. Learn more about this priority here.

Ensure the right support is available at the right time by improving the quality and accessibility of existing services. People living with dementia are falling through the cracks. It is a crisis that will continue to put pressure on family caregivers and our systems of care unless it is addressed. We need to enhance the quality and accessibility of existing services to ensure that people affected by dementia receive the support they need, when and where they need it. Learn more about this priority here.

Read our full campaign summary here.

Help advocate for improved dementia support in B.C.   

Fifty-one per cent of British Columbians recently polled said that they are more likely to vote for a party with a dementia strategy. This election, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. has made it easier for anyone concerned with the future of dementia care in B.C. to contact their local candidates and have their voices heard. Check back for our “write your candidate” tool, launching soon, to share your thoughts about why dementia is important to you.

Here are some other easy ways you can support the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and help make dementia a priority this election season:

• Talk to family and friends.
• Answer the door or the phone to canvassing candidates and ask questions.
• Vote and help others to voting stations.
• Share your thoughts on social media.

Download our quick tips sheet to learn more about our election priorities and how you can help.

For more detailed information on how to be an advocate this election and beyond, click here.

Watch our recent webinar on advocacy and how you can get involved this election, featuring former Health Minister Terry Lake and our lived experience partners.