Alzheimer’s Community Care (ACC) was recently awarded a $100,000 Impact Grant from Impact the Palm Beaches.ACC was one of only four finalists that received Impact Grants from 60 different area nonprofits that applied and shared grant proposals with Impact the Palm Beaches.
“We could not be more grateful to receive the Impact Grant from Impact the Palm Beaches. The Impact Grant will enable us to continue changing the lives of patients and caregivers in Palm Beach and beyond,” said ACC President and CEO Michael Jessup.
“Florida has one of the highest rates of Alzheimer’s in the country. In Palm Beach County alone, we have more than 50,000 patients, a number expected to increase exponentially as baby boomers reach the highest risk group: 65 and over,” said ACC Vice President of Education and Quality Assurance Dr. Karen Gilbert, DNP MS RN.
ACC will use the Impact Grant to fund innovative technology including:
- Computer tablets and hands-on activity supplies for each family
- Family Nurse Navigator evaluations, ongoing consultations, and support
- The MapHabit subscription, software and ongoing support
MapHabit helps patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease remain independent for a longer period, while reducing stress and burden on the caregiver.MapHabittakes advantage of a part of the brain not damaged by Alzheimer’s, helping patients “map” procedures for daily activities, maximizing their independence.MapHabit’s programs include exercises that improve strength, dexterity, and coordination. Their skilled trainers will work with ACC’s Family Nurse Navigators ensuring that programs are individualized for the unique needs of each patient and caregiver.
“MapHabit’s published studies have shown improved patient independence, decreased burden on the caregiver, and most importantly, improved quality of life for both,” said Dr. Gilbert.“While science struggles to find a cure, we must innovate to help patients and caregivers NOW! This Grant, and MapHabit, will help us do so.”
Impact the Palm Beaches is a philanthropic organization where women collectively award grants to nonprofits in Central and Northern Palm Beach County to ignite transformational change in the community.
“We’re excited to recognize ACC as a 2023 Impact Grant recipient,” said Lauren Sterlacci, 2022/2023 President of Impact the Palm Beaches. “We seek to fund projects that are truly transformational, address unmet needs innovatively, impact the community and are sustainable for years to come. ACC met and exceeded all of those qualifications!”
About Alzheimer’s Community Care
Alzheimer’s Community Care was founded in 1996 by a group of local residents in Florida who were concerned about the growing number of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related neurocognitive disorders. Based in West Palm Beach, Alzheimer’s Community Care is dedicated to promoting and providing community-based, family-centered care for patients and their caregivers living with neurocognitive disorders, through the belief, where there is help, there is hope.Today, Alzheimer’s Community Care is the largest provider of community-based, dementia-specific services in Florida. For more information, visit: www.alzcare.org.
