Challenging stigma and finding support this Alzheimer’s awareness month

This Alzheimer’s awareness month, the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia is encouraging Nova Scotians to confront one of the biggest barriers facing people impacted by dementia: stigma.

I spoke with Samantha Morrison, our dementia friendly communities lead, about why stigma persists and what we can do to address it.

“Stigma thrives when we don’t talk about dementia,” says Morrison. “When communities are dementia friendly, people are more willing to talk about the impacts of dementia. That openness reduces stigma, making it harder for misinformation and harmful stereotypes to take hold.”

Initiatives like Dementia Friendly Communities provide simple education and practical changes to help everyday places, such as shops, libraries, and recreation spaces, become more welcoming and stigma-free.

“When communities start talking openly about dementia, the culture of silence and fear begins to clear,” Morrison explains. “We see communities become more emotionally safe and accessible for people living with dementia and their care partners. That allows people to meaningfully and comfortably participate in community life for longer, improving their overall quality of life.”

Fear remains one of the biggest reasons people hesitate to seek help. For some, reaching out means acknowledging symptoms or a diagnosis they may not be ready to face.

“Asking for help can be incredibly difficult,” Morrison said. “But you are not alone. There are people ready to help you navigate accessing the support you need. Acknowledging you need help can be a first step toward living well with dementia.”

For those wondering how they can help combat stigma in their lives, Morrison emphasizes that education is a powerful tool, whether accessed through our website, community or online education sessions, or simply talking about dementia and advocating for more inclusive spaces.

Morrison also encourages Nova Scotians to support awareness month by wearing a forget-me-not pin on Jan. 28, the national awareness day of action.

“By wearing the pin, you are showing your support for breaking down the barriers that people living with dementia face,” Samantha explains.

“The pin is a visual representation of the impacts of dementia. It sparks conversations that might feel uncomfortable but are so necessary. It also makes it harder to turn away from the reality that dementia touches all of us and sends out the message that there are people ready to help you access the support you need.”

The forget me not pin is part of the Forget No One campaign, an initiative of Alzheimer societies across the country. It encourages open, honest conversations about dementia so people can access support earlier, reinforcing the message that no one should face dementia alone.

For more information, visit our website at www.alzheimer.ca/ns/en/awarenessmonth or call our Dementia Helpline at 1-800-611-6345.