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Receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis for someone you love can feel overwhelming, bringing a complex mix of grief, fear, and uncertainty about the future, but it is also the beginning of a journey where early planning, understanding, and specialized support can deeply preserve your loved one’s comfort, dignity, and quality of life.
This resource hub is here to help you understand the stages of the disease, and directly connect you with essential resources and information.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a chronic progressive life-limiting illness. This means that symptoms worsen over time and may affect how long one lives.
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Affects a person's thinking, mood, language, and behaviour.
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Is a group of illnesses (ie: Alzheimer's, Vascular, Frontotemporal, Lewy Bodies, Parkinson's dementias).
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Progression cannot be reversed and there is no cure.
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People with dementia will have bad days (more confusion) and good days (less confusion and sometimes more clarity), and can live for years with the illness.
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For more in-depth information around dementia and Alzheimer's, please visit the Alzheimer's Society website: ​​
Downloadable Information Pamphlets
Dementia Overview
Types of Dementia
The Realities of Alzheimer's Decline
​The decline in end-stage dementia disease is rarely a smooth, predicatable slope. Instead, it behaves like a jagged staircase.
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Families often experience periods where a loved one’s condition seems perfectly stable, followed by a sudden, permanent drop in cognitive and physical function. Understanding this non-linear path helps reduce panic and allows families to prepare for the natural final stages of the disease, including the cessation of eating and drinking.
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​Phase 1: The Stairway Decline (Plateaus and Drops)
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Plateau: Periods where the person maintains a steady baseline.
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The Drop: Sudden declines often triggered by minor infections (like UTIs), stress, or progressive brain changes.
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The New Normal: After a drop, the person stabilizes again, but never returns to the previous level of function.
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The Misconception: Families often mistake plateaus for recovery or stability, making the next drop emotionally shocking.
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Phase 2: The Natural Transition Away from Food and Water
As Alzheimer's reaches its final stage, the brain loses its ability to process hunger and thirst. This is a natural, painless part of the body shutting down, not a sign of neglect.
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[Brain Signal Loss ] -> [ Decreased Appetite ] -> [ Difficulty Swallowing ]
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The Drop: The person simply forgets how to eat or no longer recognizes food.
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Swallowing Reflex Fails: Safe swallowing becomes impossible, increasing the risk of choking or aspiration pneumonia.
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Dehydration Benefits: Natural dehydration releases endorphins that act as a natural painkiller, reducing discomfort.
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The Danger of Force-Feeding: Offering food or inserting feeding tubes does not prolong life or improve comfort; it often causes bloating, nausea, and fluid buildup in the lungs.
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Phase 3: Comfort Care Actions for Families
When eating and drinking stop, the focus shifts from nutrition to comfort.
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Moisturize lips: Use water-soluble gels or damp swabs to prevent dry, cracked lips.
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Mouth Care: Gently clean the inside of the moutn with a soft, moist, toothbrush or swab.
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Manage Comfort: Keep the room peaceful, use soft lighting, and play familiar, calming music.
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Offer Presence: Hold their hand and speak in a gentle, reassuring voice; hearing is often the last sense to go.
Local Centres
First Link Dementia Helpline: 1-800-936-6033
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Resource Centres:
Located throughout the province, resource centres offer a variety of print resources, education, support groups and access to training support staff by appointment. For more information visit alzheimerbc.org
Vancouver Island
Greater Victoria
202-4420 Chatterton Way,
Victoria, BC
250-382-2052
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PROVINCIAL OFFICE
300-828 West 8th Ave, Vancouver
Interior and North
North and Central Okanagan
307-1664 Richter St, Kelowna
250-860-0305; 800-634-3399
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South Okanagan & Similkameen
104-35 Backstreet Boulevard, Penticton
250-493-8182; 888-318-1122
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Central Interior
405-235 1st Avenue, Kamloops
250-377-8200; 800-886-6946
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West Kootenay
778-774-2133; 855-301-6742
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East Kootenay
778-761-2011; 833-426-0534
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Northern Interior, Northeast & west
302-1811 Victoria St, Prince George
250-564-7533; 866-5647533
Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley
Fraser Region
201-15127 100th Avenue, Surrey
604-449-5000
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North Shore and Sunshine Coast
212-1200 Lynn Valley Road
North Vancouver
604-984-8348; 866-984-8348
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Vancouver and Richmond
303-828 West 8th Ave, Vancouver
290-7000 Minoru Boulevard, Richmond
604-675-5150
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Further Reading Material
Report into Canadians' attitudes, and perspectives on MAID at a pivotal point in the country's ongoing conversation about end-of-life choice.
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This brochure aims to answer any questions, provide practical information, and ease your concerns on your Medical Assistance of Dying journey. ​
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It is important to discuss your wishes with loved ones and anyone who can support you. Whatever you decide, your health care team is here to give you the care you want and to honour and respect your wishes.
Who is eligible for medical assistance in dying?
In order to be eligible to receive medical assistance in dying, a person must meet all of the following criteria:
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Be eligible for health services publicly funded by a government in Canada, such as being registered or eligible
for B.C.’s Medical Services Plan;​
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Be at least 18 years of age and capable of making decisions about their health;​
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Have made a voluntary request for medical assistance in dying that, in particular, was not made as a result of external pressure;
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Have given informed consent to receive medical assistance in dying after being informed of the means that are available to relieve their suffering, including palliative care; and
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Have a grievous and irremediable medical condition, which means:
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​they have a serious and incurable illness, disease or disability*;
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they are in an advanced state of decline that cannot be reversed; and
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that illness, disease or disability or that state of decline causes them enduring physical or psychological suffering that is intolerable to them and cannot be relieved under conditions that they consider acceptable.
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* Note: For the purposes of eligibility for medical assistance in dying, a mental illness is not considered to be an “illness, disease, or disability” under the current legislation. This restriction is expected to be repealed in the future.