Today, nearly half a million people in Canada are living with dementia — a number expected to double by 2030. Dementia can cause memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with daily tasks, making public situations overwhelming and, at times, frightening. Unfortunately, misunderstandings and stigma often lead to judgment rather than support.

That’s why Kits House and our community must come together to raise awareness and deepen our understanding of what it means to live with dementia. By listening to individuals with lived experience — their stories, needs, and perspectives — we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Kits House is actively working to increase dementia awareness through community initiatives. Our goal is to shift public perceptions, foster empathy, and use these insights to develop meaningful training opportunities. We are committed to building a dementia-friendly neighbourhood where everyone feels valued and supported.

Recent Collaborations, Workshops, and Information Sessions

In collaboration with the Westside Seniors Hub and UBC, our training, information, and guidelines are aligned with updated research conducted by leading teams across the province. One of our prioritized frameworks comes through the Flipping Stigma Toolkit.

Ways to Get Involved & Spread Awareness

1) Become a Volunteer Buddy

Kits House facilitates a Volunteer Buddy program. Trained volunteers work alongside community members living with dementia to build meaningful connections. As a Buddy, you attend programs with a community member living with dementia so that our programs can become more inclusive.

Steps to Become a Memory Buddy

• The first step is to become a Kits House Volunteer
• Contact the Memory Buddy Coordinator
• Attend a training orientation, which covers:
  • Ways to communicate with someone living with dementia
  • How to support someone in a confused state
  • What it means to be a Volunteer Buddy

2) Know Someone Who Could Benefit From Having a Buddy?

Using the online Memory Buddy Referral Form, anyone can sign up a family member, friend, colleague, client, or themselves.

3) Next Steps After Signing Up

• The referral form is submitted to the Kits House Memory Buddy Coordinator
• An in-person orientation is scheduled to understand support needs and find the right match
• A volunteer is paired through the Memory Buddy team
• A second orientation is held to discuss visiting details with the new buddy

Memory Buddy Partnerships

• University of British Columbia — Building Capacity Project
• Alzheimer Society of BC
• BC Elder Law — now managed through TRU Law Faculty
• Westside Seniors Hub
• Family Caregivers of British Columbia
• United Way of BC

4) Self-Learning Opportunities

• Flipping Stigma Toolkit
• Weekly webinars from the Alzheimer Society of BC
• Programs and services from the Alzheimer Society of Canada
• Multilingual dementia information from the Alzheimer Society of Canada