The Department of Elder Affairs must approve Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) training providers and training curricula for the following entities licensed in Florida:
- Adult day care centers;
- Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) that advertise they provide special care for persons with ADRD;
- Home health agencies;
- Hospices; and
- Nursing homes.
The approval process is designed to ensure that employees of these licensed entities receive quality Alzheimer’s disease training. The Department of Elder Affairs contracts with The University of South Florida Academy on Aging. A list of all approved Alzheimer’s disease training providers is available online at www.trainingonaging.usf.edu.
Alzheimer’s Disease Resources
ACTS 2
Working through the Florida State University College of Medicine, The ACTS 2 Project provides support to African-American Alzheimer’s caregivers. Through free caregiving support sessions, participants learn the essential skills needed to support family members living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. In addition, ACTS 2 provides free telephone-based training and support sessions.
Alzheimer’s Association
The official National website of the nonprofit Alzheimer’s Association. Their goals are to promote, develop, and disseminate educational programs and training guidelines for health and social service professionals, increase public awareness and concern for Alzheimer’s disease, mobilize worldwide resources, and fund biomedical, social, and behavioral research on Alzheimer’s disease. This site also contains background information on Alzheimer’s disease, reading lists for those interested in more information, links to local Alzheimer’s Association chapters, and recent news regarding the brain and aging.
Alzheimer’s Association Chapters in Florida
Central and North Florida Chapter
North Florida Regional Office – Jacksonville, FL
East Central Florida Office – Merritt Island, FL
North Central Regional Office – Gainesville, FL
Tallahassee Office – Tallahassee, FL
Panhandle Office – Pensacola, FL
Fort Myers Office – Bonita Springs, FL
Sarasota Office – Lakewood Ranch, FL
Lakeland Office – Lakeland, FL
Winter Haven Office – Winter Haven, FL
Stuart Office – Stuart, FL
Broward County Office – Deerfield Beach, FL
West Palm Beach Office – West Palm Beach, FL
Miami Office – Miami, FL
Publications
The Baker Act, The Florida Mental Health Act – Annual Report
The Baker Act encourages the voluntary admission of persons for psychiatric care, but only when they are able to understand the decision and its consequences and are able to fully exercise their rights for themselves. When this is not possible due to the severity of the person’s condition, the law requires that the person be extended the due process rights assured under the involuntary provisions of the Baker Act.
Caring for Person with Alzheimer’s Disease
An easy-to-Use Guide from the National Institute in Aging, for people who care for family members or others with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at home. The information in this guide comes from other caregivers and from medical research.