Lighting our Future Path: Strategic Intentions 2022-2027
Our Strategic Vision
Our Mission
All Nova Scotians affected by dementia are empowered through timely, accessible and culturally specific care, support, information and services.
The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia is committed to alleviating the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and promoting the search for causes, treatments and a cure.
WHAT WE’RE HERE TO DO: Change the conversation about dementia: Improve public awareness about brain health, promote risk reduction, spark dynamic public discourse and reduce stigma by encouraging people to take concrete action to make their communities dementia friendly. Enhance the quality of life of people affected by dementia: Ensure Nova Scotians can receive a timely diagnosis, culturally appropriate support and are connected to our First Link® services. Help those living with dementia, and their care partners, have the skills and resources to live as well as possible at all stages of their journey.
Create communities of practice: Foster a collaborative impact approach to educating staff and volunteers in healthcare settings, municipalities, businesses and public services so they have the skills to include and support ALL Nova Scotians living with dementia. Influence policy related to dementia: Collaborative and supportive advocacy with healthcare, municipal and provincial partners, leveraging the voices of those with lived experience to ensure focus on solutions to issues that matter most to them. Shape the future for people affected by dementia: Support provincial and national research exploring causes, therapies and cures, quality of life and care improvements. Promote knowledge translation and uptake of innovation in the community and healthcare.
Our Strategic Intentions In September 2021, we began the process of developing our new strategic plan. A series of consults across all health zones, with diverse communities, and with input from key stakeholders have highlighted the following strategic intentions:
ADVOCACY. Through collaboration & community engagement we will... • Partner with and amplify the voices of people affected by dementia to identify and escalate key advocacy issues. • Work with government, healthcare, and sector partners to advance the Nova Scotia Dementia Strategy and support the development of person-centred and dementia-friendly policies, processes and legislation. • Partner with Alzheimer Societies across Canada to focus on pan-Canadian dementia issues.
REDUCE RISK & STIGMA. Through targeted public awareness & engagement we will… • Provide relevant, timely and evidence-based public education that promotes the understanding of brain health and risk reduction strategies. • Empower Nova Scotians to take a proactive role in their understanding and adoption of risk reduction strategies. • Address stigma through dynamic public discourse about dementia. • Leverage the Charter of Rights & Freedoms for People Living with Dementia to ensure those affected live in communities where they are welcomed, supported, valued and included.
ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE. Through a person-centred & culturally aware lens, we will… • Use data-driven evaluation to make evidence-based improvements to our programs and services. • Ensure sustainable and effective supports for every stage of the dementia journey, from diagnosis to end-of-life. • Provide appropriate and accessible services for people affected by dementia, no matter where they are in Nova Scotia. • Build the capacity, knowledge and resilience of healthcare providers, sector partners and care partners. • Build support to create and promote inclusive, dementia-friendly communities.
ADVANCE RESEARCH. Through support of local & nationwide research, we will… • Ensure the voices of those with lived experience are included and drive the research process. • Contribute to the next generation of researchers through local bursaries and the national Alzheimer Society Research Program. • Partner as knowledge users to advance dementia research in Nova Scotia. • Facilitate public understanding of the types and impacts of dementia research. • Allocate resources to ensure advancement of research and knowledge translation.
How we Approach our Work We use our values to guide all aspects of our work, and to foster a supportive and inclusive environment for our clients, staff, volunteers and partners.
Collaboration We work together with partners and those with lived experience to achieve our goals and ensure Nova Scotians receive personal and responsive services throughout their dementia journey.
Respect We set for ourselves the highest standards of honesty, trustworthiness and professional integrity in all aspects of our organization and conduct our work with the utmost respect for the dignity and the rights of the people we serve.
Accountability We measure our performance and follow a process of continuous improvement. We are wholly accountable for our actions and must account to our stakeholders for our use of the financial and human resources available to us.
Engagement We strive to engage stakeholders in meaningful ways. To inform, listen and be attentive to those we work with: people with dementia, families, community partners, donors, volunteers and staff members.
That’s a great I.D.E.A! We’re a proud employer partner with the Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion. We use the I.D.E.A. concept to foster belonging and to ensure our work is Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable and Accessible. We support ALL Nova Scotians on the dementia journey and are committed to creating barrier-free and inclusive environments.