Ontario Connecting More People To Dementia Care In the Region of Durham
$93,000 investment will expand access to dementia care and supports across Durham Region
DURHAM — The Ontario government is investing $93,000 to connect more people in the Region of Durham to dementia care, support and services they need, when they need them. This funding will support services delivered by the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region’s community-based First Link® Care Navigation program that connects people living with dementia, and their families, with help navigating care, education, and resources.
“Supporting individuals with dementia and their families remains a top priority for our government” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier. “With $93,000 in funding from the Government of Ontario, the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region will offer a new community-based navigation program, First Link, which will enhance the lives of Whitby and Durham Region residents living with dementia, and connect them with vital resources, education and care. This investment reflects our government’s continued commitment to ensuring individuals with dementia and their families receive the care and support they deserve, close to home.”
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.”
Through Your Health: A Plan for Connected and Convenient Care, the province is taking action to provide more people with the right care, in the right place.
“This investment will help ensure that individuals living with dementia in Pickering and Uxbridge, along with their families, can access the care and support they need when they need it,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge. “By enhancing community-based dementia care, we are building a stronger, more responsive healthcare system that puts people first.”
“The experience of having loved ones living with Alzheimer’s is becoming more prevalent as the population continues to age,” said David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South. “Therefore, it is more important than ever to make sure our local community dementia programs have all the support they need to care for those living with dementia and their families. This investment in Alzheimer Society of Durham will allow them to connect more families with supportive programming and care options.”
“Under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones, our government is making the important and necessary investment of $93,000 to the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region to enhance programs, reduce waiting times and offer support to all Durham residents and their families living with dementia” said Todd McCarthy, MPP for Durham. “In caring for loved ones with dementia, families experience many challenges, and our government is committed to supporting all individuals no matter where they are in their journey.”
“Our government is committed to improving accessibility for dementia patients, who have unique care needs and rely on specialized support,” said Patrice Barnes, MPP for Ajax. “Through a province-wide investment of $6.9 million, we have allocated $93,000 to the Alzheimer Society of Durham Region’s community-based First Link® Care Navigation program. This funding will enhance our ability to support dementia patients and their families across Durham Region as they navigate available resources, support services, and dementia education.”
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 to stabilize expanded services.
QUOTES
“The Alzheimer Society of Durham Region is incredibly appreciative of the Ontario Government’s support of additional funds to support the First Link® Care Navigation program, which is a critical resource to ensuring those living with dementia and their families receive navigation support, education, and connection with others on a similar journey with dementia. This funding is a significant step forward in ensuring that those living with dementia and their care partners receive the support, care, and services they deserve. We are thrilled to see the Government’s innovative approach to funding community-based dementia programs that empower individuals with pro-active care, expand critical resources, and foster stronger connections within our community.”
— Gillian Barrie, CEO, Alzheimer Society of Durham Region