Program Description
The Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative (ADI) is a statewide program that provides a variety of education and support services for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers. The objective of the program is not limited to providing support for individuals. Rather, a portion of the funding is also allocated toward research, experimentation, and policy.
The patient-focused services most relevant to families include respite care (both in-home and facility based, often times in specialized Alzheimer’s adult day care centers). Also offered is a unique program known as Extended Respite. It allows up to 30 days of respite care in which a loved one goes into a residential memory care community.
Did You Know?According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2022 fact and figures, over 580,000 individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease live in the state of Florida.
Eligibility Guidelines
In addition to being a Florida resident, individuals must be a minimum of 18 years old and have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, dementia, or related memory disorder. Related memory disorders include multi-infarct dementia (MID), Pick’s disease (Frontotemporal dementia or FTD), Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
At the time of this writing, there were no income or asset limits. One’s income, however, does play a factor in determining one’s placement on the waitlist for services. In addition, there may be co-payments for services based on one’s income.
In addition to living at home or in the home of a relative, applicants may live in an assisted living facility or an adult foster care home. However, when applicants are assessed for program participation, their need likely wouldn’t be found to be as high as someone living at home. Therefore, those residing in an assisted living facility or adult foster care home would be placed lower on the waitlist.
Clients MAY NOT be dually enrolled in the ADI program and a Medicaid-funded long-term care program.
Benefits and Services
The Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative supports patients in memory disorder centers, which are located regionally. These clinics specialize in the testing, diagnosis, treatment, and research on the debilitating brain disease. In addition to the previously mentioned respite care, including in-home, Alzheimer’s day care, and 30 day extended respite, the ADI offers families the following services:
- Case Management
- Caregiver Counseling & Support Groups
- Caregiver Training / Education
- Diagnostic / Referral Services (via Memory Disorder Clinics)
- Social and Health Day Care
- Emergency Respite Care
- Medical Supplies & Equipment
- Nutritional Supplements
- Transportation
How to Apply / Learn More
This ADI program is administered by Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs and managed by the local Area Agencies on Aging. Services are provided at 17 memory clinics throughout the state. Click here for a map and contact information or call 800-963-5337. You can also learn more about this program here.
There are many other forms of financial assistance for Alzheimer’s and dementia care, including benefits from Medicare and Medicaid.
