About First Link®

The First Link® referral program provides an opportunity for health care providers and other professionals to refer people with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia and their families to the Alzheimer Society for support, information and education. The referral process and response is as follows:

• Upon assessment, if dementia is identified, the health care provider asks the patient and/or their caregiver if the Alzheimer Society can call them.  If other professionals are interacting with a person with a diagnosis of Alzheimer disease or another dementia or family caregivers, they may ask the person if the Alzheimer Society could contact them.
• If the person agrees, complete the referral form and fax it to the Alzheimer Society.
• The form includes fields for the name and the phone number of the person to be contacted and whether the individual is the person with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, the spouse/partner or an adult child.  Space is provided for additional comments.
• The referral source name, address and telephone number must be included on the form.
• The Alzheimer Society will contact the person referred within 5 working days. 
• If after 3 attempts to contact the person, contact has not been made, the referral source will be called and provided an update to determine further action.
• Alzheimer Society staff will speak with the referred person to determine their information and support needs.  The staff member will work to develop an ongoing relationship with the person and to provide support as the disease progresses. 
• Following the first contact, the Alzheimer Society will provide print material or direct the person to www.alzheimer.mb.ca for information about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, the programs of the Society, legal and financial matters and community resources as appropriate.  The Alzheimer Society provides follow-up if the person desires. Services that may be introduced include: supportive counseling, support groups, education sessions and Safely Home® registration.

The Alzheimer Society will follow-up with the referring source at their request. Please note your request on the form prior to faxing.

Click HERE to download the First Link® Referral Form