Provincial and municipal advocacy

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. understands that raising your voice for dementia may sound daunting at first. The following will help get you started or have a greater impact.

Ken and Mark, Alzheimer's Awareness Month 2020 spokespeople

For more information or to share a story of your experiences, contact advocacy@alzheimerbc.org.

Provincial advocacy

Generally, health-care is managed provincially. To change the way dementia care is addressed in B.C., connect with your Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in your community. It is important that MLAs hear the needs of their constituents; telling your story can help them understand why dementia matters in B.C.

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is here to support you in raising your voice. Here are some tools to help you make yourself heard:

  1. Watch videos featuring people on the dementia journey who have become advocates.
  2. Find out who your MLA is here.
  3. Learn more about becoming an advocate with our advocacy guide, Speaking up about dementia: A simple guide to raising your voice.

Municipal advocacy

You can also advocate for your community to become dementia friendly – a dementia-friendly community is more accessible, supportive and welcoming to people with dementia and their caregivers. Ways that you can advocate for people with dementia and caregivers include:

  1. Learn more about the Society's Dementia-Friendly Communities initiative that helps municipal governments, organizations and businesses learn how to better support people in their communities who are affected by the disease.
  2. Visit your community’s website to learn more about who the mayor and city councillors are.
  3. Download our template letter and consider sending it to your local mayor and city council.
  4. Consider speaking at a local town hall.

Advocacy starts with one person, but it takes a movement. Encourage your friends and family to join in! For more information, contact advocacy@alzheimerbc.org.

Self-advocacy strategies

Navigating the health-care system can be difficult at times, and often requires self-advocacy. Self-advocacy is what we do to improve a situation for ourselves, a family member or another individual.

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Canada's national dementia strategy

On June 17, 2019, the Government of Canada released the country’s first-ever national dementia strategy: A Dementia Strategy for Canada: Together We Aspire. On this page, learn more about the strategy, what it means for Canadians and why it needs to be fully funded.

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Dementia-friendly communities

Learn how the Alzheimer Society of B.C. is helping build communities that are inclusive, supportive and accessible for people living with dementia and their care-partners and how you can join the movement.

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