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Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

 

North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services

    NC Alzheimer’s Demonstration Program

    Another major initiative led by the Division of Aging and Adult Services is the North Carolina Alzheimer’s Demonstration Program, Project C.A.R.E: “Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty.” Project C.A.R.E. uses a consumer-directed, family consultant model to provide comprehensive respite support to dementia caregivers. Through an in-home intervention, Alzheimer’s families are assisted in resolving caregiving issues, connected with community resources and if eligible, provided with funding for respite care.

    Primarily funded through the US Administration on Aging Alzheimer’s Disease Demonstration Grants to States Program (AOA-ADDGS), Project C.A.R.E. is administered by the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services and receives technical assistance from the Duke Aging Center Family Support Program. Operating within the community-based contexts of the Western Carolina Alzheimer’s Association and the Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services, Project C.A.R.E. Family Consultants visit the homes of referred dementia caregivers in crises. The Consultants offer timely, individualized guidance, counseling, support, advocacy, and education for family caregivers. Their aim is to match families with the most appropriate and preferred local respite and community services tailored to the unique context of care and family needs. Families are able to choose among a full continuum of consumer-directed care options, including adult day services, group respite, private or agency in-home care, and overnight residential respite.

    The goal of the demonstration program is to increase the quality, access, choice and use of respite care to underserved rural and minority communities.  Through the integration of dementia-specific services, Project C.A.R.E. intends to create a seamless, coordinated home and community-based care system that is more responsive to the needs, values, and preferences of individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

    There are three Project C.A.R.E. pilot sites  set up to serve the following 14 counties: Charlotte (Mecklenburg County), Winston-Salem (Forsyth, Surry, and Stokes counties); and Asheville (Polk, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Rutherford, Transylvania, Buncombe, Haywood, Jackson and Swain counties).

    National Program Recognition:

    • 2005 National Best Practice Model for “Implementing Systems and Sustained Change in Long-Term Care” –  US Administration on Aging Alzheimer’s Disease Demonstration Grants to States (ADDGS) Program and RTI International
    • 2005 National Conference of State Legislators – featured by the National Alzheimer’s Association as a national model for home and community-based care coordination
    • 2005 National Innovative Program Clearinghouse Award – National Alzheimer’s Association
    • 2004 Geriatric Best Practice Award: “Developing Quality Caregiver Support and Respite Programs” – Southeast Regional Geriatric Best Practices Initiative

    Project C.A.R.E. staff and key partners are currently pursuing options to expand Project C.A.R.E. into additional counties throughout the state. They will be seeking additional sources of public funding as well as opportunities for private foundation grants to support this effort.

    If you are interested in learning more about Project C.A.R.E. and/or providing financial support to sustain and/or expand this program, please contact Karisa Derence, Project C.A.R.E. Director.

    Project C.A.R.E. Publications:  

 

 

 

Last updated: May 27, 2008

 

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