Provincial support is on the way to connect more people locally to dementia care, support, and services.
Vic Fedeli, Nipissing MPP announced $86,100 to support services delivered by the Alzheimer Society of Ontario’s Sudbury-Manitoulin North Bay & Districts community-based First Link® Care Navigation program.
“In Ontario, more than 250,000 people are living with dementia, and this number is expected to grow as the population continues to age,” says Fedeli. “The First Link Care Navigation program is a high-quality community-based program that provides clients with access to a coordinator who will assist with care planning, care coordination, and referrals to community services.”
Fedeli says the funding will allow more families to connect their loved ones to the additional services they need.
“Our First Link Navigators remain a vital part of our organization, providing individuals living with dementia and their families with access to essential programs and services,” says Shannon Ketchabaw, Executive Director, of the Alzheimer Society. “This funding ensures we maintain this crucial work, in line with our mission to reduce the personal and social impacts of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.”
The province says $6.9 million in funding across Ontario, over two years, will see an additional 36 full-time equivalent staff members hired resulting in shorter wait times for existing patients and providing support for approximately 7,000 new clients.
