The Dementia Care and Cure Initiative (DCCI) engages communities across Florida to be more dementia caring, promote better care for Floridians affected by dementia, and support research efforts to find a cure. Being a dementia-caring community means there are services and supports in place to make that community hospitable to someone living with dementia, their caregivers, families, and loved ones. DOEA wants those living with dementia to still play a vital role within their communities – with each interaction they have while out will be a positive one, created out of respect and understanding.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and Florida has the second-highest incidence in the country, with approximately 580,000 individuals living with Alzheimer’s. This number is expected to increase to 720,000 by 2025, and these statistics are not inclusive of other forms of dementia, nor the hundreds of thousands who serve as unpaid care partners.
In collaboration with Florida’s 11 Area Agencies on Aging and 17 Memory Disorder Clinics, participating DCCI communities organize Task Forces consisting of community professionals and stakeholders who work to bring education about, awareness of, and sensitivity regarding the needs of those affected by dementia.
DCCI Information Sheet – Spanish
Florida’s Alzheimer’s Disease Statistics
(Source: Alzheimer’s Association, 2021)
Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative
For more information, or to set up a dementia sensitivity training in your area, please contact DCCI@elderaffairs.org.
Florida’s State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP)
To strengthen public health and improve well-being across Florida, state leaders brought together a diverse coalition of organizations to create a unified, actionable roadmap. This collaborative effort emphasized shared responsibility through a comprehensive state health assessment, the identification of priority areas, and the development of strategic goals.
The result is Florida’s State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP): a five-year strategy with seven defined priority areas, each supported by measurable goals and objectives. The Department of Elder Affairs partners with the Department of Health and other statewide collaborators to align aging-focused initiatives with SHIP’s Priority Area One: Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD).
2022-2026 Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Priority Area Workgroup (ADRD PAW)
The ADRD PAW, led by the Department of Elder Affairs in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association, aims to strengthen Florida’s response to ADRD through three strategic goals:
Goal 1: Strengthen the Capacity to Address ADRD
We aim to improve early detection and diagnosis of ADRD by identifying partners engaged in outreach, supporting approved awareness campaigns, and expanding educational opportunities that reach individuals, families, and communities across Florida.
Goal 2: Ensure a Competent ADRD Workforce
We aim to provide statewide training and education for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and support staff, ensuring they have the skills needed to provide effective and compassionate care.
Goal 3: Enhance Support for Those Living with ADRD and Their Caregivers
We aim to enhance support services such as respite care, counseling, and educational resources. By strengthening these support systems, we aim to improve the quality of life for both individuals with these conditions and their caregivers.
Explore Our Work
Access resources and initiatives supporting the goals and objectives of the ADRD PAW here:
SHIP ADRD Resource Guide
SHIP Caregiver Toolkit
Dementia-Friendly Business Sector Training
