MPP Clark: Ontario Connecting More People to Dementia Care in the Community

$93,000 investment will expand access to dementia care and support across Lanark, Leeds and Grenville

Brockville – MPP Steve Clark says that the Ontario government is investing $93,000 to connect more people in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville to the dementia care, support, and services they need when they need them.

In an announcement issued on Wednesday, it said the funding will support services delivered by the Alzheimer Society of Lanark Leeds Grenville community-based First Link® Care Navigation program that connects people living with dementia, and their families, with help navigating care, education, and resources.

Clark along with Lanark, Frontenac, and  Kingston MPP John Jordan said they welcomed the funding to support this invaluable program in the communities they represent.

“I’m pleased our government is making this investment to support the Alzheimer Society and their ongoing work to provide vital community-based services to those living with dementia and their families in Leeds and Grenville,” said MPP Clark. “I’m confident this funding will ensure even more people can access the First Link program and get the services they need in place quickly.”

“These investments from our government make a huge difference in the lives of those suffering from dementia, as well as their family members in Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston,” said MPP John Jordan. “Staying close to home and connected to services through programs like the Alzheimer Society’s First Link Care Navigation are vital to supporting compassionate care in our communities.”

“The Alzheimer Society Lanark Leeds Grenville is excited to receive government funding for an additional First Link Care Navigator. This funding is a vital step forward in ensuring that individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia receive the support they need,” said Melinda Coleman, Executive Director, Alzheimer Society Lanark Leeds Grenville. “Our First Link® program connects people with the services provided by the Alzheimer Society as well as other community services they may require ensuring they are well supported throughout their journey.

First Link® is designed to help families make informed choices to live better with dementia at every stage of the disease. This funding will allow us to better serve our community and the many families that are facing this disease.”

This funding is part of the Ontario government’s $6.9 million investment over two years to support those who have received a dementia diagnosis on their care journey. Funding will support hiring an additional 36 full-time equivalent staff members, shortening wait times for existing patients and providing support for approximately 7,000 new clients across Ontario. Clients will have access to a coordinator who will assist with care planning, care coordination, and referrals to community services.

“Our government is taking bold and innovative action to connect people, at every stage of life, to the care and services they need, when they need them, said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Investing in increased access to dementia care through investing in this high-quality community-based program will allow more families to connect their loved ones to additional services they need in their community.”

QUICK FACTS:

• In Ontario, more than 250,000 people live with dementia, and this number is expected to grow as the population continues to age.
• As part of the 2022 Budget, Ontario is investing $120 million over three years for dementia services.
• In the 2023 Budget, the province accelerated the commitment of $1 billion over three years to stabilize the home and community care workforce and support the expansion of home care services.
• In the 2024 Budget, the government is investing an additional $2 billion over three years to boost this acceleration, support earlier investments to increase compensation for personal support workers, nurses and other frontline care providers, and stabilize expanded services.