Dementia Action Team

FirstLinks

What is First Link?

First Link® is a direct referral program that connects individuals living with cognitive impairment and

their caregivers with community support, including:

• Learning supports – dementia education regarding day-to-day living, communication, positive

• approaches to care, strategies for managing challenges, and preparing for the future

• Link to care services – connection to Alzheimer Society programs and navigation of other community

• resources

• Emotional support – social work services and facilitated peer support groups

Primary Care Provider Benefits:

• Community support between clinical visits

• Ability to focus on medical management

• Fewer office visits related to preventable issues

Client Benefits:

• Regular, proactive contact from Alzheimer Society staff

• Improved health care and community service navigation

• Increased knowledge and confidence to live well with dementia

• Decreased Care Partner stress, burnout and health complications

• Reduced feelings of isolation

• Potential ability to live safely at home longer

• Fewer and less intense crises

Hybrid Adult Day Program

Enhanced Adult Day Service for persons living with dementia at the various stages of the disease

trajectory:

• Alternative/hybrid programming that includes virtual, recorded/email, on site and in home options

• In-home ADP 1:1 services with activity kits and tablets with data to access virtual programming

• Integrated social work support for the caregiver

• Both pilots are enabling clients/caregiver to access services they otherwise would not have access to.