First Link™

• A program of the Alzheimer Society of Perth County funded through the South West LHIN Aging at Home Strategy.

• A person with a diagnosis or evidence of dementia of any type (Alzheimer’s, Vascular, Lewy Body, Pick’s, etc.)
• A family member or friend of a person with dementia

• Physicians. (The 3rd Canadian Consensus Conference on Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia specifically names physician referral to First Link™ as part of medical best practice for the management of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.)
• Other caring professions (Social Workers, Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Clergy etc.)
• Self referral

• First Link™ referrals are accepted at any stage of the disease.
• Ideally, soon after diagnosis. Research supports that people who receive counselling and support services early in the continuum of the disease and receive that support on an ongoing basis are better equipped to face the challenges that arise. (M. Mittleman, 2007)

• A First Link™ referral connects the person with their local Alzheimer Society for learning opportunities, support and linkage to community services appropriate to their stage of dementia from pre-diagnosis to post-death grief support.

WHY First Link™?

• Often, people do not contact the Alzheimer Society or other support agencies until a crisis situation arises
• To get people connected early in order to reduce the number and intensity of crisis situations
• To reduce caregiver burnout and pre-mature long term care placement

• First Link™ enhances linkages between the Alzheimer Society and diagnosing primary care physicians and other health care providers
• Increases understanding and awareness among family physicians and allied health professionals
• Increases understanding and awareness among individuals with dementia and their family members, and to increase coping and confidence of caregivers and self-efficacy and self-management
• Improves coordination of care and linkages to community services for non-medical management issues from time of diagnosis through the duration of the disease

Sheri Gilhula, Family Support Counsellor
Nancy Martin, RPN, Family Support Counsellor
Janice Scott,  RN, Family Support Counsellor

Let our team of dementia care experts make the journey of caring for someone with dementia a little easier.