Bridging the Gap - Alzheimer's Demonstration Grant

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Welcome to Bridging the Gap, a website of AR-GetCare. Bridging the Gap was created to assist people in locating supportive services and resources to help them deal with the challenge of Alzheimer’s Disease. As a caregiver for my wife, I experienced first-hand the impact Alzheimer’s Disease can have on families. I know the importance of easy access to services, information and most importantly, support. I hope you find Bridging the Gap helpful as you face the challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Sincerely,
Frank Broyles
University of Arkansas Athletic Director

Note: Coach Frank Broyles has written a book called Coach Broyles’ Playbook for Alzheimer’s Caregivers - A Practical Tips Guide. For more information, click here.

Background

The Alzheimer’s Disease Demonstration Grants to States Programs (ADDGS) was established with the Health Professions Education Partnerships Act of 1998. The program is administered by the Administration on Aging, within the Department of Health and Human Services.

The program’s mission is to expand the availability of diagnostic and support services for persons with Alzheimer’s Disease, their families, and their caregivers, as well as to improve the responsiveness of the home and community care system to persons with dementia. The program focuses on serving hard-to-reach and underserved people with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders (ADRDs).

Activities

The Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), was awarded a grant in 2004.

While some services and resources for AD patients and their family caregivers do exist in Arkansas, the need exists for:

more adult day care and respite services, especially in rural parts of the state
faster access to home and community-based waiver services
information about services and resources available online and in Spanish
family caregiver training offered in different formats
involvement of faith-based and volunteer organizations in developing additional respite resources

DAAS seeks to address these needs and gaps by building on work already begun under our Systems Change grants and collaborating with other key organizations to develop new resources to assist family caregivers.

Overview of Project

The Arkansas Division of Aging and Adult Services’ project is called “Bridging the Gap.” The project combines models of:

Direct care for underserved populations
Use of faith-based and other volunteer organizations
Innovative methods for improving access to services, information, and supports

Goal

Focus services/support at the home and community level for people with AD/related disorders and their family caregivers by developing additional services and making access to services easier and resource information more readily available.

Major Objectives

A bridge fund to make home and community-based waiver services available pending eligibility determination
Web-based information system with special focus on Alzheimer’s disease
Faith-based volunteer services
Televised family caregiver training
Annual symposiums for AD caregivers
and Stakeholders’ committee to explore needs of people who have both AD and developmental disability

The overall approach includes:

Enhancement of current systems change initiatives
Focus on minority and rural populations
Collaboration with key partners and community organizations

For questions, email (click on name) or call:

Kris Baldwin
Project Officer
(501) 682-8509

Susie Keesling, LMSW
(501) 682-2418

This project was supported, in part, by a grant, number 90AZ2775, from the Administration on Aging, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration on Aging policy.