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Lyle Isenor, who cares for his wife Jerry, is among the thousands of British Columbians who have found relief and support through the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s First Link® Dementia Helpline.

Photo courtesy Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia

Dementia helpline offers barrier-free lifeline to British Columbians in need

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 2:19 PDT, Mon July 21, 2025

Last Updated: 2:21 PDT, Mon July 21, 2025

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Alzheimer Society of B.C. service helps fill gaps in healthcare, connect communities to dementia resources.

When Lyle Isenor’s wife Jerry was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, he found himself not only learning how to navigate the disease, but how to manage aspects of their household that Jerry, a high-level accountant, had handled so well.

“She always looked after everything,” Isenor says. “I didn’t even know how to log into online banking. IT was like starting a new job with a whole new set of things you have to learn.”

Isenor soon reached out to the Alzheimer Society of B.C.s First Link® Dementia Helpline for support. Staff answered his questions and guided him to the resources he needed in his community.

“I was desperate,” Isenor says. “I was at the end of my rope. I called the Helpline and spent probably 40 minutes on the phone. It was lifesaving.”

Isenor is among the thousands of British Columbias who called the Helpline for emotional support and to access a range of programs and services. At a time when a chronic family physician short has left an estimated one million people in B.C. without a primary care provider, the charity is renewing calls for anyone affected by dementia to take advantage of the barrier-free service.

“We may not be able to end the doctor shortage of get more geriatricians working on B.C. ourselves, but we can walk beside the 85,000 people living with dementia and their families on the journey,” says Jennifer Lyle, the Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s chief executive officer. “We consistently hear how much our support groups, social programs or culturally-specific resources improve the quality of life for people affected by dementia. Helpline staff also have the most up-to-date information on what’s available in your community. We can’t fix the system alone, but calling the Helpline is the first to ensuring you’re not alone while you navigate it.”

The First Link® Dementia Helpline provides access to a wide range of dementia support and education, as well as a non-judgmental ear for anyone who needs it. The service has expanded over recent years to now offer support in Cantonese and Mandarin, Punjabi, Hindi or Urdu, as well as extended evening hours for callers seeking support in English. Fred Keating, who lives with dementia, is among those to find relief and support on the other end of the line. He encourages others to do the same.

“Make the call,” Keating says. “You can cut your fear and anxiety in half. The person at the other end of the phone has answered similar calls hundreds of times. They know what they’re doing.”

Make the call

If you are living with dementia or need information and support, call the First Link® Dementia Helpline. Toll-free and confidential help is available Monday to Friday:

English: 1-800-936-6033 (9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Cantonese and Mandarin: 1-833-674-5007 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu: 1-833-674-5003 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Learn more: alzbc.org/fldhl