Ensure the right support is available at the right time
“Eliminating co-pay would make a big difference. As someone who now lives on my old age pension and Canada Pension Plan, there is no extra money to do very much else with. Many people are in the same boat as me.” – Person living with dementia
Recommendation 1: Eliminate home support fees and improve access to adult day programs.
Many people living with dementia want to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. But high costs, inconsistent support and limited program availability make this difficult for many families.1
If families don’t get the support they need at home, people are more likely to end up in the emergency room or in long-term care earlier than necessary. In B.C., 12.8 per cent of newly admitted long-term care residents could potentially have been cared for at home.2
In B.C., many older adults must pay large co-payments for publicly funded home support. Someone living on a modest pension may pay thousands of dollars a year just to receive short daily visits. Home support can also be inconsistent with different staff arriving each time, limited time for care and little support beyond basic tasks. This can be especially hard for people living with the disease, who rely on routine, familiarity and caregivers who understand their needs.
Adult day programs are another essential support.3 They offer social connection, health services, activities and important respite for caregivers. Unfortunately, these programs still haven’t recovered from pandemic-related closures, and there are fewer program days available than before.4
We are asking the province to eliminate home support co-payments and expand access to adult day programs. Doing so will help people living with dementia stay at home longer, support caregivers and reduce pressure on the health-care system.
Tell your MLA: Ask your MLA to support eliminating home support co-payments and improving access to adult day programs so people living with dementia an remain at home with the support they need.
Share your story: If you’ve struggled to afford or access home support or adult day programs, tell your MLA what that has meant for you or the person you care for. Your experience can help show why these services are essential for people affected by dementia.
Recommendation 2: Review the assisted living system so it can better support people living with dementia.
Many people living with dementia want to continue living at home, but this isn’t always possible, especially if they don’t have family living nearby or if safety becomes a concern. At the same time, not everyone qualifies for long-term care and some people in the earlier stages of the disease don’t yet require that level of support.
Assisted living could be an ideal option for many people living with dementia. It offers more support than home care while still allowing people to live independently. Unfortunately, current rules often mean that people living with dementia are considered ineligible for assisted living, even when it’s the level of care that makes the most sense for them.
We are asking the province to review the assisted living system to see how it can better support people living with dementia. Updating the model could fill a major gap between home support and long-term care, giving people access to safe, supportive housing that respects their dignity and independence.
Tell your MLA: Ask your MLA to support safe, appropriate assisted living options for people living with dementia, so they don’t have to move into long-term care before they’re ready.
Share your story: If you or someone you care for had to enter long-term care earlier than expected because assisted living wasn’t an option, share that experience. Explain how having the right type of supportive housing would have made a difference.