Brian Stanley and his partner Penny Jones have become advocates to fight the stigma regarding Alzheimer's disease since Stanley's diagnosis.

By Tommy Osborne

“It has to mean something:” man diagnosed with Alzheimer’s becomes advocate

Oct 1, 2025 | 5:55 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – In March of 2022, Brian Stanley and his family’s life would be changed forever when he was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. At just 56 years old, the news came as a big shock not only because of his young age, but because up to that point it was not in his family.

“It was out of the blue, we felt really lost and really alone and had no idea what to do. Even though both of us work in health care, we were totally lost,” said Penny Jones, Stanley’s partner.

Saying his diagnosis “has to mean something,” Stanley and Jones have since gone on to be advocates, hoping to remove the stigma surrounding those living with the disease.

“People with Alzheimer’s still can contribute, still have ideas, still have things that are useful to society. And it isn’t the portrayal you see in a lot of movies, TV shows, that this person is on their last legs,” Stanley said.

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“Brian is still at the gym every day, Brian is still parenting and grandparenting. Brian is still volunteering in this community. Things have changed, he requires a bit more support for that, but still capable, very capable,” Jones added.

“There’s so much stigma with this disease. And so many people are unwilling or uncertain if they can talk about it because they tend to be treated differently. And that’s what we’re trying to do with the Alzheimer’s Society, is to reduce that stigma,” said Tara Hildebrand, the Alzheimer’s Society of BC Support and Education Coordinator.

On top of advocating for destigmatizing the disease, Stanley and Jones also want anyone else impacted by Alzheimer’s to know that they aren’t alone, and supports are out there. Both say the Alzheimer’s Society of BC has been their number one support system, and they hope people know they have resources available.

“We had peer support, we had support groups, we had crisis intervention when we needed it. And then we in turn provided support with them doing webinars and education, doing research proposals,” Jones said.

“Your medical professionals are there for medical advice. We are here to help you with the day to day stuff, helping different strategies for responding, helping understand what your person is going through and the experience that they’re having,” Hildebrand added.

While Stanley and Jones are focused on creating positive change for future generations, they also add they’re focused on creating memories while they can, as they both describe Alzheimer’s as a slow decline.

“We have a small window where Brian can be public and articulate as he declines, which we have no idea if that’s in one week or ten years, we don’t know,” Jones said.

“The worset thing is that with 90% of things I think I’m doing fine. It’s the family and those around me who see the decline,” Stanley added.

The Alzheimer’s Society of BC offers many online supports, and more in-person supports are expected in the near future in Prince George. If you would like to learn more you can visit its website HERE.

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