During Alzheimer's Awareness Month in January, public understanding of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias continues to expand. However, when individuals first notice changes in their memory and thinking abilities, their reactions remain heavily influenced by stigma, fear, and widespread misinformation.
The Silent Response to Cognitive Changes
Recent polling conducted by Leger Canada reveals troubling statistics that illuminate this issue. One in four Canadians admits they would prefer not to know if they were living with dementia. Furthermore, nearly half of respondents report they would not know where to seek help if they observed symptoms in themselves or loved ones.
These numbers do not indicate indifference but rather profound fear. People fear what a diagnosis might mean for their future, fear being treated differently by society, and fear that nothing meaningful can be done to address their condition.
The High Cost of Avoidance
Avoiding a dementia diagnosis does not stop the progression of the disease. Instead, it delays access to crucial information, services, and support systems that could help individuals maintain control, ownership, and agency in their lives. This delay often means people struggle in isolation, navigating uncertainty without proper guidance or validation.
Stigma remains central to this harmful delay. Dementia is frequently portrayed as the end of a meaningful life, reduced to stereotypes that emphasize loss over possibility. People living with dementia regularly encounter comments like, "You don't look like someone with dementia," as if there were only one way this complex disease manifests.
Living Fully After Diagnosis
The truth is that there is a great deal of living that happens after a dementia diagnosis. People living with dementia continue working, volunteering, parenting, traveling, and contributing meaningfully to their communities. Early diagnosis opens doors to planning, connection, support, and in some cases, to treatments that can slow progression.
Accessing care early can also help rule out other causes of cognitive changes that may be treatable. Early outreach significantly reduces isolation and provides individuals with the tools they need to navigate their journey with greater confidence.
Essential Support Systems
At the Alzheimer Society of B.C. and Yukon, one of the most common revelations is that people simply don't know support services exist. These include online and in-person education, social and fitness programming, support groups, and ongoing proactive support calls.
The First Link Dementia Helpline stands as a critical community resource, available to anyone—people living with dementia, family members, caregivers, and those simply concerned about changes they're noticing. No referral is required, and no question is considered too small for consideration.
This support becomes increasingly essential given skyrocketing wait times for long-term care homes in British Columbia, where more than 60 percent of residents live with dementia. According to the Office of the Seniors Advocate, since 2019, long-term care capacity has increased by only five percent while the senior population has grown by 19 percent. The province projects a 700 percent increase in the long-term care shortfall by 2035.
Replacing Fear with Understanding
First Link helps ensure no one faces dementia alone and that families are prepared for the road ahead. It supports people in staying rooted in their communities, connected to friends, family, and familiar routines. For people to seek help earlier and live better for longer, resources must be visible, accessible, and stable.
These vital services depend on community fundraisers, donors, and consistent government investment. When people know there is somewhere to turn and that they will be met without judgment, they become far more likely to reach out for assistance.
Instead of engaging in misinformation about who is or isn't living with dementia, we should focus on listening to and supporting people in our communities who face dementia today. We have the opportunity to replace fear with understanding and remind people that help is available.
Reaching out, while often the hardest step, can make a profound difference in quality of life. Now is always the best time to challenge stigma and support those affected by dementia.
