Although it’s less than a year old, the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care Services organization is far from new. In July 2016, respite services—once provided by the Alzheimer’s Association, Northwest Ohio Chapter—were spun off to form a separate, standalone nonprofit agency.
Led and staffed by former Alzheimer’s Association employees, the new organization remains true to its roots in meeting the needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia by supporting each person’s strengths, abilities, and independence. While continuing to focus on respite care and adult day services, the agency is no longer affiliated with the Alzheimer’s Association.
Meeting a growing need
Nearly 5 million Americans currently live with dementia. As the US population steadily ages, a projected 15 million people will have Alzheimer’s disease by 2050. With family and friends providing more than 70 percent of dementia care, respite support is the most desired and needed service reported by caregivers. It’s our mission to meet those needs.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Services offers unique localized services—including the Adult Day Center, which has been serving the community since 1993. The Day Center provides structured, person-centered, and therapeutic activities to adults experiencing cognitive impairment resulting from Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. It also provides respite—or a much-needed break—for families. Even though our agency name is different, the Day Center remains in the same location—with the same caring and highly skilled staff. As a result, participants benefit from familiar surroundings and consistent supportive services.
Our Adult Day Center program remains a place where individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia come to have fun, remain active and involved in their community, and interact with others in a positive, safe, and stimulating environment. Participants at our Center are engaged in purposeful and enjoyable activities that help them maintain the highest possible quality of life.
Local support
Local, community support is critically important to our agency. Fundraising and volunteerism are essential for ensuring our organization can offer services. Donations to Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care Services directly benefit families in our community. Contributions are used locally to support the Adult Day Center and to allow services to go on and expand over time.
The change in our name can be confusing to donors, who must now carefully specify that they want their contributions to directly support respite care services at Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Services. Area donors can be assured that donations given to Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Services will work to assist their neighbors, family members, and friends—right here in their community.
While changes to the organization’s name and structure were necessary to preserve the Adult Day Center, services remain the same and continue to meet a community need. We’re honored to serve and support families right here in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. We invite you to stop by, learn how we’re making our community a better place, and discover how you can become involved with our work.
Together, we will provide Help, Compassion, and Hope in our community.