In a new policy update, Improving the Lived Experience of People with Dementia, Doctors of BC has expanded on their earlier commitments and calls to action to reduce dementia stigma and improve the quality of life for British Columbians living with this Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
“BC Care Providers Association appreciates this update and feels that the priorities highlighted here are in alignment with the Association’s own advocacy on issues such as direct care hours and better funding for comprehensive dementia education,” says BCCPA CEO Daniel Fontaine.
The update speaks to four areas:
- Prioritizing prevention activities, particularly modifiable lifestyle behaviours, for all age groups across all aspects of health policy.
- Increasing availability of dementia training and education programs for physicians and other health care providers, and for caregivers and the public.
- The provincial government’s plan to increase funding for long-term care facilities to meet the provincial guideline for direct care hours.
- Efforts to increase understanding among the public, caregivers, and health care providers about the benefits of the palliative approach to care, for all people with dementia.
“Living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias can be incredibly challenging. Our members are committed to ensuring the best quality of life for the people they care for, whether that be in their own home or in an assisted living or care home. As the leading voice for seniors’ care providers BCCPA has both an opportunity and a responsibility to contribute to the strengthening of dementia care in our province,” continues Fontaine, who sits on the Ministerial Advisory Board on Dementia.
On April 24, BCCPA hosted a successful forum event with the Alzheimer Society of B.C. (Alzheimer Society) on a project they have been collaborating with the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Gerontology department, related to the concept of dementia-friendly care homes. In attendance at the lunch and event were about 30 stakeholders from across the province and the continuing care sector including representatives from several health authorities and the B.C. Ministry of Health, care providers, persons with dementia, academia and SafeCare BC. As a result of this work, SFU Gerontology is developing a report, expected to be released later this year, which will assist current and future care homes in implementing promising or best practices to become more dementia-friendly.
