Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia braces for funding cut

While the Nova Scotia government prepares to roll out a dementia action plan, the health department is reducing a grant that helps fund an Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia program called First Link that "connects people with dementia and their families to support and education."

In its budget, the province slashed a grant to ASNS by about 23 per cent.

ASNS told CBC News that despite the reduction in funds, the society will continue to run First Link.

"As a not-for-profit organization, any reduction in our revenue is a matter of concern for us," said Lloyd Brown, the society's executive director.

Brown, who is part of the government-appointed panel advising the Department of Health on its dementia strategy, said he is optimistic the health department will choose ASNS to administer care to Nova Scotians living with dementia, although he said there is no guarantee of that.

ASNS is one of a number of agencies partially funded by provincial grants that are taking a hit in this budget.

On Friday, people gathered outside of Province House to protest those cuts, including various groups that support mental health. People First is looking at receiving $46,900, instead of $67,000. The Nova Scotia Association for Community Living is looking at having its funding cut in half from $79,000 to $39,500.

'It's a tough job'

While some opposition to provincial budget cuts has been heard loudly, the voices of those living with dementia is not often heard, says Darce Fardy. The 83-year-old writes a column about his own dementia diagnosis for The Chronicle Herald.

"You're not going to get a crowd of demented people, like the film crowd, to set up a fuss outside a government house, but they're there, you know?" he said.

"A lot of them need care, and certainly their caregivers — their wives or husbands and that — it's a tough job."