First Link^®

First Link® for Families

First Link® is a program of the Alzheimer Society that connects people living with dementia and their care partners to the information, supports and services they need, as early as possible and throughout the progression of their journey with dementia.

Individuals and families may often feel overwhelmed by the road ahead. Many find it difficult to ask for help, or find it challenging to understand the system and find the support they need. By contacting the Alzheimer Society, individuals living with dementia and their care partners can receive the support and information they need on the journey ahead.

For more information please contact our office at 905-687-3914 or complete our online referral form.

First Link® for Professionals

Many families are told about the Alzheimer Society and its dementia care services, but will not make the call until a crisis occurs. First Link® helps to remove this barrier by enabling physicians, other health care providers and community service providers to directly refer individuals and families at the time of diagnosis or as soon as possible after a diagnosis is made.

If you are a clinician and/or agency representative in the Niagara Region area seeking information about the First Link® referral program, please contact our First Link Coordinator, Amanda Staynes at astaynes@alzheimerniagara.ca or call 905-687-3914 ext. 536 or complete our referral form for healthcare providers.

“As a family physician that cares for individuals with a multitude of chronic diseases, I welcome any help I can access to assist my patients and their families. In these days of limited resources, other professionals often have more time and information to share with the public than I have, as I juggle the demands generated by caring for an aging population.”

“As a health care professional, First Link provides a much needed and valued service. Receiving a diagnosis of any kind of cognitive change can be very difficult for clients and their families. Having First Link to refer them to, I am confident that they are going to get timely advice and support not only at the point of diagnosis but as their disease, circumstances and needs change.”

How does First Link® work?

When your patient gives you permission to share their information with our First Link® staff, we will contact them directly.

We will immediately connect them with a network of education and support services specific to their situation. We are their link to community help, both at the time of their diagnosis and throughout their illness.

Because First Link® focuses on service coordination, resources and planning, clients become more confident and involved in their own care, reducing the burden on family physicians, long-term care and emergency services. Families also are better equipped to create their own action plans to tackle future legal, financial and health needs.

Why use First Link®?

Presenting a diagnosis of dementia to a patient is never easy. They may be bewildered and distressed about the challenges ahead, and unsure about how to navigate the health system.

Families are often too overwhelmed to pick up the phone and ask for help. When you refer them to First Link®, we call them, connecting them to the information and resources they need to make informed choices.

First Link® gets them the help they need right away, averting possible crises and helping them meet challenges as they come up. That translates into fewer emergency room visits and lets caregivers keep family members with dementia at home as long as possible.

With a projected 40 per cent growth in the number of Ontarians diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias by 2020, the support First Link® offers your patient is more important that ever.