Alzheimer's Demonstration Projects Get HHS Funding

Aug. 13, 2003
HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced more than $12 million in grants to develop innovative approaches to provide care for people with Alzheimer's disease and support for their family caregivers.

"Most often, spouses or other family members provide the day-to-day care for people with Alzheimer's disease," said Secretary Thompson. "Just as those afflicted with this insidious disease usually require more care as the disease advances, so do those who care for them. These grants will help by addressing the needs of both patients and their caregivers."

The awards will support seven new demonstration programs in Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, Puerto Rico and Utah. The awards also support the continuation of projects in 32 other states -- Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Overall, HHS will spend about $655 million this year for Alzheimer's disease research and prevention, including scientific and medical research through HHS' National Institutes of Health on potential causes, detection methods and treatments for the disease.

The grants announced today are part of the Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grants to States Program run by HHS' Administration on Aging. The program works to improve the responsiveness of home- and community-based services to persons with dementia and their caregivers. It supports the goals of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative, a government-wide framework for helping provide people with disabilities the tools they need to fully access and participate in their communities.

The demonstration grants focus on expanding the availability of diagnostic and support services to people with Alzheimer's disease as well as improving outreach and service delivery to low-income, minority and rural families that are traditionally underserved.

"The AoA Alzheimer's Program stands out as an example of a successful public-private partnership that offers flexible community-based care," Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina G. Carbonell said at a recent press conference. "This is the kind of care that will be required to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse aging population of the future…."

"Results of the evaluation of the AoA Alzheimer's Program clearly indicate that assisting and supporting caregivers with respite services like adult day care can make a significant difference in the quality of care for Alzheimer's patients and in the quality of life for caregivers. And it can be done without breaking the bank," she said.

Descriptions of the new projects and amounts of each award are listed below. Details about the continuing grants, other information about Alzheimer's disease and tips for families affected by it are available at http://www.aoa.gov/alz.

CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, Division of Social Work and Prevention Services, Hartford, Conn. -- $250,000 -- To provide community outreach, awareness, and clinical/supportive services to persons in various stages of Alzheimer's disease and their families in low-income, rural, and ethnic/cultural communities. Population specific brochures, evaluation/assessment tools, training manuals and treatment manuals will be distributed to social service/health care agencies and non-traditional agencies like the faith communities, ethnic/advocacy organizations, etc.

IDAHO COMMISSION ON AGING, Boise City, Idaho -- $320,348 -- To provide a network of services and a single point of entry for people with Alzheimer's disease and their families through the Stand By You Program. Supportive services will include a 'Family Advisor' for the caregiver, monthly orientations to Alzheimer's Disease, nine-week in-depth training courses for individuals, couples and family members, and responsive paid and informal respite and companion services and dementia-specific training for providers.

CABINET FOR HEALTH SERVICES, Frankfort, Ky. -- $212,970 -- To increase awareness of dementia and utilization of services by the African-American community. This program will offer dementia diagnostic services for African-Americans in their communities and offer two separate services through local churches: 1) support groups and 2) a Best Friends care program.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Baton Rouge, La. -- $150,000 (1 year) -- To develop a pilot program that will provide after-hour adult care services to individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia through the Comprehensive Alzheimer's Care Program. This program will provide a safe and stimulating environment for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other related dementia and will serve as a community-access point for education and free information materials on various aspects of Alzheimer's disease.

NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, Division of Aging and Disability Services, Lincoln, Neb. -- $326,000 -- To provide consumer-directed services to persons with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers in diverse underserved segments of Nebraska. The program will offer mental health services, individual volunteer mentors and expanded training and education to caregivers suffering from mental distress, as well as direct financial support in the form of vouchers. It will also work to enhance efficiency of statewide voluntary health organizations for Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases.

GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FOR ELDERLY AFFAIRS, Education and Training Division, San Juan, Puerto Rico -- $300,000 -- To provide a comprehensive home-based support service model for Hispanic people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. Participants will have available a variety of respite services, home health care, companionship, homemaker services and case management, as well as information and training to strengthen their skills and well being. An advisory council will play an active role in planning, implementation and evaluation activities.

STATE OF UTAH DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, Division of Aging and Adult Services, Salt Lake City, Utah -- $300,000 -- To increase access to community-based respite services and develop a system of in-home respite care that is volunteer driven for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their caregivers in rural areas of the state and/or minority communities. The program will develop relationships with diverse organizations and faith based programs to mobilize and train volunteer respite companions.