Alzheimer's Foundation of America awards grants to organizations in 14 states

NEW YORK, May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) recently awarded grants totaling nearly $100,000 to grassroots organizations that will enable them to develop or enhance educational and support services in their communities for individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

   

The recipients are 19 AFA member organizations in 14 states. They range from agencies dealing solely with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, to adult day care centers, assisted living programs, and county sheriff's offices.

   

AFA, a national nonprofit organization that focuses on the care needs of those with dementia, has been awarding grants twice a year, in the spring and fall, since 2004. In addition to its biannual grant process, AFA also awards an annual grant, called The Brodsky Grant, to a program that is judged to be innovative and has the potential to be replicated. Both types of grants are open only to AFA's nonprofit member organizations and are awarded based on a competitive application process.

   

"As a foundation, AFA is committed to driving funds back into local communities," said Eric J. Hall, AFA's chief executive officer. "These grants have proved to be an important source of supplemental funding for community-based organizations, as they strive to provide hands-on care to people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias and their families."

   

"We know these funds are ultimately making a difference in people's

lives, especially as organizations face increasing demand for their

services," he added.

   

In the latest round of grants this spring, AFA awarded each of the 19

organizations $5,000 to be used for a variety of purposes: training

volunteers, caregivers and administrators; providing respite for family

caregivers; locating wanderers; adding new physical features to dementia care settings; replicating programs at satellite facilities; and increasing public awareness of Alzheimer's disease.

   

Among the grant recipients, Alzheimer's Community Care, a

community-based organization based in West Palm Beach, FL, is using the grant to help defray the costs of prescription medications for its clients.

 

The grant awarded to Adult Day Care of San Angelo, San Angelo, TX, will fund one day a week of adult day services to needy families, giving those with Alzheimer's disease an enriching environment and providing respite to caregivers. And in Baton Rouge, LA, Alzheimer's Services of the Capital Area plans to create a garden so that it can conduct therapeutic activities outside.

   

In addition, the grants will enable five sheriff's offices and public

safety agencies to expand Project Lifesaver International, a program that  provides wristband transmitters to individuals with dementia so that law enforcement officials can effectively track and safely rescue wanderers.

   

Currently, more than five million Americans have Alzheimer's disease,

including one in ten aged 65 or older and nearly one in two aged 85 or

older. The incidence is expected to triple by mid-century. Alzheimer's

disease is now the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S.

   

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America is a national nonprofit

organization headquartered in New York and made up of hundreds of member organizations that provide hands-on programs to meet the educational, emotional, practical and social needs of families affected by Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses. AFA's services include a toll-free hot line, counseling, educational materials, a free caregiver magazine, and professional training. For information, call (toll-free) 866-AFA-8484 or visit http://www.alzfdn.org.