Program Description
The Alaska Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Mini-Grants (ADRD Mini Grants) Program offers financial assistance for services and items for people with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. This program is intended to improve their quality of life and to increase independent living through maintaining healthy and productive lifestyles.
ADRD Mini Grants are funded through the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority and administered by the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska. Grants are available for up to $2,500 per funding year.
Eligibility Guidelines
General Requirements
The ADRD Mini Grants Program is open to all Alaskan residents with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia. This includes including Parkinson’s Dementia, Multi-Infarct Dementia (stroke-related), Pick’s Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Huntington’s Disease or Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Documentation of the diagnosis is required for eligibility purposes.
To qualify, an applicant or the individual applying on their behalf must show how the proposed funding request will directly benefit the beneficiary’s quality of life. Make note, individuals who reside in a Medicaid funded Alaska nursing home are not eligible for assistance via this program.
Financial Requirements
In order to qualify financially, the applicant must demonstrate the items requested cannot be acquired through other funding sources such as the candidate’s personal assets, insurance, or other financial assistance programs.
Finally, applicants must include written estimates from vendors for the services or items to be purchased with the grant. Free estimates are available at these links for walk-in tubs, stair-lifts, and personal emergency response services.
Benefits and Services
The ADRD Mini Grants program offers qualified applicants up to $2,500 per year in funding to cover necessary services and items for people suffering with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Applicants are able to submit multiple requests per fiscal year, which goes from July 1st through June 30th, as long as the total amount requested does not exceed $2,500. Mini grants are awarded on a monthly basis.
Items can include anything that directly improves a beneficiary’s quality of life, safety, or increases their overall independence, such as medical equipment, assistive technology, home modifications, and wandering prevention / fall alert systems. This might include hearing aids, corrective lenses, nutritional shakes, incontinence supplies, dentures, clothing, mattresses, electronic devices for therapeutic benefits, such as laptops, and more.
For approved applicants, they do not pay for the services or items out of pocket. Instead, Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska will send a purchase order to the vendor and pay the vendor directly. Make note, this program will not cover the cost of an outstanding bill.
How to Apply / Learn More
Applications can be submitted by the beneficiary or a family member or guardian on behalf of the beneficiary. More than one service/item at the same time can be requested, but they should be listed by priority of greatest need. The deadline for submission is the first Tuesday of each month by the end of the business day.
The application, with all required documents, can be mailed or faxed to the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska at:
Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska
1750 Abbott Road
Anchorage, AK 99507
Fax: (907) 561-3315
Required Documents:
- A copy of one’s diagnosis
- Written estimate for the item/service being requested
- Costs of shipping, handling, and installation, if applicable
- Completed application
To apply or for more information, contact the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska Agency at 907-561-3313 or 800-478-1080, or visit their website. An application may also be downloaded directly here.
