CareLink Awarded Federal Grant To Support People Living at Home With Alzheimer’s Disease And Related Dementias

East Providence, R.I. (December 15, 2021): CareLink, a nonprofit healthcare network of post-acute and community-based providers serving adults with complex health issues, was awarded a $904,153 Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative grant from the Administration for Community Living, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The federal grant will provide funding over three years for CareLink to partner collaboratively with other Rhode Island organizations to develop and implement new support services and treatment programs for people in the state living at home with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) as well as for their care partners and families. The program will enable CareLink to offer ‘wrap-around’ services that include connecting resources, caregiver education and case management as well as occupational and speech therapy.

CareLink’s services and programs will support older people with ADRD who live in the community alone or with a care partner, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are at greater risk for developing dementia, and persons living in ethnically and culturally diverse communities with limited access to medical care due to economic, language or other barriers.

“Our focus is on providing innovative treatment for individuals with dementia and their caregivers,” explains Dr. Chris Gadbois, chief executive officer of CareLink, Inc. “We’re integrating interventions and supports for patients and caregivers within the home environment, building upon the recommendations of the individual’s medical professional and resources within the community.”

A portion of the grant will fund additional training for a dedicated team of CareLink occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists to deliver two nationally recognized, evidence-based treatment programs that are well-regarded in the field of dementia. The first several months of the initiative will be spent planning, identifying community resources and referral organizations, and training staff. “Investing in our staff development will further amplify their skill set in the field of Alzheimer’s and dementia care, providing them with a higher level of knowledge and expertise to work with older adults,” adds Gadbois. “We are grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with other medical and service providers in creating a network-based system of specialized care to make a difference in the lives of those living with ADRD.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association-Rhode Island Chapter, there are approximately 24,000 Rhode Island residents age 65+ with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, and this number is projected to double by 2040. Alzheimer’s is one of many conditions that cause dementia. “CareLink is the ideal organization to receive this funding support to organize, develop and expand services for Rhode Islanders living with cognitive symptoms,” states Dr. Gary Epstein-Lubow, associate professor of psychiatry, human behavior and medical science at Brown University and the grant’s medical consultant. “I am excited to see the results of initial planning between CareLink, the Administration for Community Living, and the National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center to ensure a successful implementation of the new services and to build long-term sustainability for this level of care beyond the life of the grant.”

“Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias take such a toll on our communities, and support services like those provided through CareLink and its partners are essential for thousands of constituents and their families,” states Senator Louis DiPalma (D-District 12). “I’m extremely grateful for this award to CareLink which will make an enormous difference in the lives of Rhode Islanders in the years to come.”

For more information on the Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative at CareLink, or to refer an individual or caregiver, contact Program Manager Laurie Mantz at (401) 490-7610 x114 or lmantz@carelinkri.org. 

Established in 1997, CareLink Rhode Island is a nonprofit network of post-acute and community-based providers and direct care staff serving adults with complex health issues. Its membership base includes home care, hospice, adult day health, long-term care, assisted living, short-term and outpatient rehabilitation, and independent living providers throughout Rhode Island. CareLink, Inc. is located at 400 Massasoit Avenue, Suite 113 in East Providence, RI 02914; phone: 401.490.7610; web: www.carelinkri.org.