Legislature event highlights importance of early diagnosis

The Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon’s annual Legislature Luncheon event brought together Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), people living with dementia, care partners, volunteers and staff to share experiences and discuss how to strengthen care and support for people affected by dementia across the province.

The luncheon provided a valuable non-partisan opportunity for MLAs to hear directly from people affected by dementia, challenge stigma and consider how BC can plan for the rising number of people living with the disease.

Honourable Minister of Health, Josie Osborne, opened the event with remarks, followed by Trevor Halford, Interim Leader of the Official Opposition. Osborne and Halford both spoke about the importance of supporting people affected by dementia. Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon CEO Jennifer Lyle spoke about the growing impact of dementia in the province and the importance of strengthening systems of support as demand increases.

During her remarks, Lyle highlighted the importance of First Link^® dementia support, which connects people affected by dementia to information, education and support from the moment they have concerns about the disease.

In the past year alone, First Link^® supported more than 13,500 clients in over 420 communities, with more than 58,000 interactions, including more than 16,000 outreach calls to individuals and families across BC.

This year’s luncheon focused on the importance of a timely diagnosis and the need for clearer pathways to care. Many people wait too long to receive a diagnosis and are often left unsure about what supports, treatments or services are available.

Neurologist Dr. Alexandre Henri-Bhargava, Medical Director of the Neil and Susan Manning Cognitive Health Initiative in Victoria, spoke about the importance of improving diagnosis pathways and strengthening connections between clinical care and community-based supports.

Attendees also heard a powerful lived-experience perspective from Mark Breslaw, who was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease at age 48 after noticing changes in his memory and thinking while working in a senior leadership role.

Breslaw shared how months of uncertainty and testing left him searching for answers before receiving a diagnosis. He described how connecting with the Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon’s First Link^® Dementia Helpline helped reduced the sense of isolation he and his family were experiencing.

“When I first called the Helpline, I hadn’t been diagnosed and I wasn’t sure if I should be calling,” Breslaw says. “The staff on the phone said, ‘You belong here.’”

The Alzheimer Society of BC and Yukon extends sincere thanks to all MLAs and guests who attended this year’s luncheon.

As the number of people affected by dementia continues to rise, conversations like these play an important role in ensuring that the voices of people directly impacted help share policies, services and supports across BC and the Yukon.