The Florida Alzheimer's Disease Initiative programs provide services to individuals (and their caregivers) who have been diagnosed or suspected of having a memory loss where mental changes appear and gradually interfere with the daily living activities.

Who Should Be Referred:

Priority for service is based on an assessment of severity of need and confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer's or a related dementia.

Services Provided Include:

Case Management - A case manager/social worker is assigned to every client to assess the problems that the individual is experiencing and determine what services can best resolve those problems.

Social Services - Each Senior Adult Day Care site provides a monthly caregiver support meeting, and information on other support groups and resources in the community. The Senior Adult Day Care Program presents an annual Community Workshop that provides new information on research and treatment for the person with Alzheimer's disease.

Day Care - The Senior Adult Day Care Program has been in existence since 1976 and provides comprehensive health, social, supportive and therapeutic day services for seniors and functionally-impaired adults through an interdisciplinary team approach in six community-based settings. The interdisciplinary team consists of a supervisor, social worker, nurse, personal care aides, adult day care aides and recreational therapist. Each Adult Day Care Center has a comprehensive activity program for the clients that includes therapeutic activities, exercise classes, arts and crafts, discussion groups, Bingo, table games and field trips. The Program has specific activities to meet the needs of clients with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. The Program is one of only three Alzheimer's Disease Model Day Care programs in Florida.

Respite for the Caregiver - Relief or rest for a primary caregiver from the constant/continued supervision or companionship of a functionally-impaired older person for a specified period of time.

Funding:

Funding is made available through the West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging, State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and client contributions. Clients are assessed co-payments based on a sliding scale.