Contributed by Maria Howard, Alzheimer Society of B.C. Maria shares their vision of a world without dementia, and their work to improve care in the meantime.
An estimated 70,000 British Columbians are affected by dementia in communities throughout the province, and this number is growing. The Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s ultimate vision is a world without dementia. But until that vision can be achieved, our more immediate vision is of a world where people are welcomed and included – a dementia-friendly society.
Why should others share, like and join our pledge?
“Before there is a cure, there’s care.” The search for a cure for dementia continues, but in the meantime, we can ignite a movement – making the disease not just someone else’s problem, but everyone’s concern. We work in the following areas:
We support to empower. Everything that we do is – in one way or another – about supporting people living with the disease, their families and their caregivers. In addition to supporting individuals and families, we support the community as a whole to remove stigma and encourage people living with dementia to fully engage and live as well as possible.
We educate to engage. We provide important information about dementia to people living with the disease, their caregivers, health-care providers and to politicians who can influence how dementia is treated systemically. We also educate the public about the disease in order to engage them to become part of the movement.
We advocate to spark change. We encourage people affected by the disease to advocate for themselves and for others. We build relationships with politicians and influencers, and encourage the public to raise their voices in support of people living with dementia.
We enable research to advance knowledge. We support research – both biomedical and quality-of-life – through funding for the Alzheimer Society Research Program and the Ralph Fisher and Alzheimer Society of B.C. Professorship in Alzheimer Disease Research at the University of British Columbia.
It takes courage to speak up about dementia. It takes courage to ask for help, and to support friends and family members on the journey. It takes courage to contemplate our own risk of the disease. Courage connects all of us. It makes us a multitude.
Show your courage and join us to create a more dementia-friendly society. Find out more about our work at alzheimerbc.org and begin having conversations today! A community of courage will change the face of the disease, build support and ultimately usher in a world without dementia.
