Funding hike sought for Alzheimer's support program

The province's Minister of Health, Dustin Duncan, says he is considering giving the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan more money.

The group is hoping to expand a program that provides counselling and support to patients with Alzheimer's, a form of dementia commonly found in the elderly, and their families.

The society's program, called First Link, currently receives $50,000 per year from the province.

Officials with the Saskatchewan organization were at the legislature Tuesday explaining how they could use an increase to $450,000 per year to expand the services offered to communities outside of Regina and Saskatoon.

Society CEO Joanne Bracken noted the program provides all sorts of practical advice on Alzheimer's.

"They learn not to argue with the person with dementia, that they need to enter their reality," Bracken explained. "They need to accept the disease. They understand why does my father ask me the same question over and over again."

Duncan said the request for more funding will be considering during provincial budget planning.

"I think that there is certainly merit for expanding the program," Duncan noted.

According to the society, Manitoba provides $210,000 for the program, while Alberta gives $1.4 million annually.