Dementia Care & Cure Initiative (DCCI)
The Dementia Care and Cure Initiative (DCCI) works with communities across Florida to promote dementia awareness, improve support for Floridians affected by dementia, and advance efforts toward finding a cure. A dementia-caring community is one where people living with dementia, their caregivers, families, and loved ones are supported and able to remain engaged in community life.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Approximately 580,000 Floridians age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease, the second-highest number in the nation. The impact of dementia extends beyond those diagnosed. In Florida, approximately 877,000 family caregivers provide an estimated 1.4 billion hours of unpaid dementia care each year.
In collaboration with Florida’s 11 Area Agencies on Aging and 17 Memory Disorder Clinics, participating DCCI communities establish local Task Forces made up of community professionals, stakeholders, and advocates. These Task Forces work to increase dementia awareness, provide education, and strengthen community understanding and support for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Resources and Information
DCCI Information Sheet
Learn more about DCCI, participating communities, and program activities
DCCI Information Sheet – Spanish
View the DCCI Information Sheet in Spanish.
Dementia Friendly America (DFA)
The Florida Department of Elder Affairs serves as Florida’s state lead DFA through DCCI.
DFA is a national initiative that supports communities working to become more inclusive and supportive of people living with dementia and their care partners.
Additional Resource: Scent Evidence K9
Learn about scent preservation and missing-person response resources that may assist families and communities supporting individuals living with dementia.
Contact DCCI
For more information about DCCI or to request dementia sensitivity training in your community, contact DCCI@elderaffairs.org.
To receive occasional DCCI updates, announcements, and new resources by email, sign up for DCCI updates.