News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government is investing $190,000 to support a new service for Alzheimer patients and their families.

“Our government is committed to righting our fiscal ship, creating jobs and supporting families,” said Social Development Minister Cathy Rogers. “This investment means improving care and providing the proper support to ensure families have the help they need, when they need it, and in their communities.”

The funding, provided through the Home First Strategy, will help establish First Link. This program connects those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia to health services and information in the community, from the time of diagnosis throughout the progression of the disease.

“The province’s financial support will make it possible for the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick to bring this innovative early intervention program to New Brunswick. First Link helps connect those impacted by this disease to dementia support services and education as soon as possible after a diagnosis,” said executive director Chandra MacBean. “We thank the Government of New Brunswick for making First Link a priority for the more than 14,000 families in our province who face dementia.”

This funding will also allow the Alzheimer’s Society to expand its current support and education programs, such as the Memory Cafés. As well, it helps in the development of  new programs that will benefit individuals with dementia, their families and health and community-care providers. 

Recent research has shown that with appropriate interventions, family caregivers are able to keep their family member with dementia at home an average 557 days longer than caregivers who did not receive the interventions. This extension results in savings of about $125,000 per client. The program expects to serve about 500 clients in New Brunswick per year.

A key part of the First Link program is a dedicated co-ordinator who will establish partnerships with physicians, health-care providers and community organizations. Doctors will obtain permission to pass on contact information to the co-ordinator who will call, refer, connect, and followup with clients on a one-on-one basis.

Establishing First Link aligns with the government’s commitment to focus on community-based care, increase access to medical health professionals in the community and ensure seniors have the support they need to live in their homes longer.

“The significant difference with this new service is that the help comes proactively and directly to the person,” said Rogers. “We know that it is difficult to ask for help. We know information can be overwhelming and we also know that people do not always know where to turn or who to call. With early intervention, careful planning and with options and the support of the community, we can ease the demands and stress of managing these diseases.”

The First Link program was first piloted in Ottawa in 2002. Today it is a successful national program of the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.