The Provincial Government is providing funding of $150,000 to the Alzheimer Society of Newfoundland and Labrador for the delivery of two programs that support individuals living with dementia and their care partners.

The First Link Program connects individuals with dementia, their families and care partners to health information and services in their community from the time of diagnosis and throughout the progression of the disease. The program has four main components – information, education, support and resources – and is aimed at improving knowledge of dementia and coping skills.

The Dementia Passport is an e-learning program developed to support health care providers, including home support/personal care home workers in their efforts to provide high-quality care to people living with dementia. These evidence-based learning modules provide education on all aspects of dementia care. Users can select the modules of most interest and employers can monitor completion of the modules. The program is offered free-of-charge to home support/personal care home workers.

More information on these programs and how to access them can be found here.

According to the Alzheimer’s Society of Newfoundland and Labrador, there are approximately 10,000 people living with dementia in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is anticipated that this number will increase to more than 14,000 by 2035.

As part of Health Accord NL, an education working group was formed in response to the need for a better-balanced health system that includes the social determinants of health. Aimed at collaborative learning and the need to break down silos, the group determined changes are required to the educational content delivered to providers in the province in their formal education programs and through continuing education. Support for dementia care in the province aligns with this Health Accord NL recommendation.

Quotes
“Enhancements to community-based dementia care, including education for health care providers, are key focus areas of Health Accord NL. The First Link Program and the Dementia Passport are valuable programs that support individuals living with dementia and their care givers. We are pleased to provide this funding, which will help improve the quality of life for those living with the disease and the community which surrounds them.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Minister of Health and Community Services

“Knowledge, support and community changes everything for families living the dementia journey. These two programs supported by the Department of Health and Community Services are significantly valuable to our families. Our First Link Program provides an opportunity to know what to expect and how to navigate the care for their loved one while maintaining a healthy balance for the care partners. Our Dementia Passport Program helps health care providers avail of evidence-based e-learning education to provide the best care possible to those they are supporting in the community and in personal care homes. Our families are grateful for the government’s commitment to making a difference for the 10,129 people in our province on the dementia journey.”
Shirley Lucas
Chief Executive Officer, Alzheimer’s Society of Newfoundland and Labrador

-30-

Learn more
Health Accord NL

Follow us on Twitter @GovNL and @HCS_GovNL