Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Awards $115,000 in Grants to Fund Respite Care Services for Families Affected by Alzheimer’s
23 Organizations in 15 States Receiving Grant Funds To Help Family Caregivers
(July 10, 2018) — The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) announced that it has awarded $115,000 in grant funding to non-profit organizations to provide respite care services for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses. 23 organizations in 15 states received $5,000 each as part of AFA’s Phyllis and Milton Berg Bi-Annual Respite Grant program.
Grants will be used by the recipients to fund services such as social model adult day programs, in-home aides, companion care and overnight respite. Funding can also be used to provide respite care scholarships to families in need. Studies have shown that respite care can help improve quality of life for both the individual living with Alzheimer’s and family caregivers by providing social engagement and cognitive stimulation for the individual, and affording a much-needed break for the caregiver.
“Respite care is a crucial service for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. No one can, or should, care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease all on their own, because caregivers need to be able to take care of themselves as well,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and CEO. “Each of the organizations receiving this funding offers support services that enable caregivers to get a break, recharge and take time to tend to their own needs. We are pleased to help them continue their important work and lend a helping hand to caregivers in their time of need.”
“Family caregivers give selflessly, day in and day out, to help their loved one. It’s important that they also be able to care for themselves too,” said AFA Board Member, Barry Berg. “Respite programs such as these are increasingly important to improve the quality of life for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and their family caregivers. We are proud to support these outstanding organizations in their efforts to provide support in their communities.”
Grant funds were awarded to the following organizations:
Alzheimer’s Orange County – Irvine, CA
Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Memphis, Inc. – Memphis, TN
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Society (DBA Memory Matters) – St. George, UT
Alzheimer’s Community Care – West Palm Beach, FL
Alzheimer’s Services Center – Morrow, GA
Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area – Baton Rouge, LA
Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC Senior Adult Day Program – Oceanside, NY
Bethesda Health Group – St. Louis, MO
Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County – Shelbyville, TN
Caregiver Support Services – Omaha, NE
Community Adult Respite Experience – Albemarle, NC
Hope Dementia & Alzheimer’s Services – Hyannis, MA
Keystone Adult Day Program – Oakridge, TN
Memory Matters – Hilton Head Island, SC
My Second Home – Mt. Kisco, NY
My Second Home – White Plains, NY
Old Friends Club – Kirkland, WA
OPICA Adult Day Program and Counseling Center – Los Angeles, CA
Payson Senior Center – Payson, AZ
Respite Care of Charleston – Charleston, SC
Respite Day Services of Oxford – Oxford, MS
Riverstone Senior Life Services – New York, NY
Springwell Inc. – Waltham, MA
The Phyllis and Milton Berg Respite Grants are awarded to organizations that share AFA’s mission of providing optimal care to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses, and their families. They were created in response to the overwhelming need for respite care as a result of caregiving responsibilities. Funding is awarded twice a year. The grants are named in honor of the deceased parents of Barry E. Berg, who has served on AFA’s Board of Trustees since 2004. Mr. Berg’s mother, Phyllis, lived with Alzheimer’s disease and his father, Milton, was her primary caregiver.
AFA is able to provide this critical support as a result of the generosity of individual contributions, grants, sponsorships and AFA development activities. To help support these initiatives, please click here.
