Support Services Coordinator

The Alzheimer Society of PEI (ASPEI) is a non-profit organization committed to improving the lives of Islanders affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Our mission is to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and to promote research for a cause and a cure.

The Society offers programs and services to support persons with dementia, caregivers, and other family members and friends so they have the help they need today and have hope for the future. We work in collaboration with other health and community support providers to ensure quality across the system of care for all affected.

**JOB SUMMARY**

The Support Services Coordinator (Kings County) will strive to ensure that persons diagnosed with dementia, their caregivers, family members, and friends have timely access to information, supportive counselling, services, learning opportunities and special programs throughout the continuum of the disease.

In this direct client service role, they will be a central contact person for families after a diagnosis of dementia, with responsibility for assisting in the identification of needs, supporting client goals, and strengthening the communication and care planning linkages between providers and across sectors along the continuum of care.

Working as part of a team across PEI, The Support Services Coordinators, through the delivery of the First Link program are working to achieve the following outcomes:

- Provide families facing a diagnosis of dementia with support and system navigation assistance throughout the continuum of illness
- Improve quality of life, client experience, and health for the person with dementia and their caregivers
- Help to build caregiver capacity and competency to effectively manage their role and reduce incidence of crisis situations
- Support persons living with dementia to remain in their own homes and community for as long as possible, should that be their preference

The Support Services Coordinator (Kings) will also lead the education for health care providers across the province, helping to build capacity for enhanced dementia care across the health and community care systems.

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**
- **General**_
- Advance the vision, mission, and values of ASPEI
- Participate in Strategic and Operational Planning
- Assist in Society fundraising, and other events as needed
- Represent ASPEI on committees and working groups as required
- Act as spokesperson for media and other public engagement opportunities
- Project management and implementation of special projects, services, and pilots
- **Programs and Services**_

The Support Services Coordinator implements ASPEI’s First Link program and other services to support persons and families living with dementia:
**Intake, Assessment and Care Planning**:

- Receive incoming referrals to ASPEI’s First Link program, gather information for client intake, and review or conduct assessments
- Facilitate early intervention (pre and post-diagnosis) and ensure that clients have a point of contact for support and navigation of the system of care throughout their disease journey
- Work with clients to determine current and future needs, goals, level of risk, and establish appropriate intervention plans
- Assist in the coordination of care across service providers, and maintain strong partnerships within health and community care
- Maintain confidential and accurate client records in compliance with relevant privacy legislation and internal policies
- Ensure that client consents, privacy, and confidentiality are maintained in compliance with legislation, professional standards/regulations, and internal policies

**Navigation and Care Coordination**:

- Support clients in navigating the system of care to access appropriate services and supports based on their individualized care plans
- Pro-actively facilitate and advocate for referrals, connections, information exchange and coordination between clients and service providers
- Facilitate care conferences between clients/caregivers and other members of the care team
- Collaborate with partners in health and community services to address/overcome barriers in effective coordination of supports and services
- Leverage and maintain working relationships with physicians, allied health and community service providers, and other partners through outreach activities

**Pro-active Follow-Up**:

- Provide proactive follow-up for clients and caregivers to ensure ongoing support, coordination of care, and response to emerging care needs
- Provide supports during transitions in the system of care (i.e Community supports, hospital stay, and Community Care/Long Term Care systems)

**Education and Group Support (In person/Virtual)**
- Plan and deliver ongoing First Link education to those affected by dementia
- Plan and deliver support groups for persons with dementia and caregivers
- Train and supervise volunteer facilitators as required