New Report Highlights Excellence in Design for People With Dementia

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) and Perkins Eastman, a leading design and architecture firm, this week released " Excellence in Design: Optimal Living Space for People With Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias," an extensive report that details best design practices and other considerations concerning residential care settings for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

The report presents guidelines to create living spaces that mimic the look and feel of a residential home and focus on person-centered care, comfort, engagement, and minimizing safety issues.

"Everyone wants-and deserves-a supportive place he or she can call home," said Emily Chmielewski, EDAC, an associate with Perkins Eastman and the report's author.

The design guidelines complement AFA's "Excellence in Care" program, which evaluates and consults with long-term care settings to ensure that they meet the AFA's national standards of optimal care for people with dementia. 

Florida Governor Signs Legislation Supporting Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease

Florida Governor Rick Scott has signed two new bills into law that are designed to support individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their family caregivers.

The law establishes a new Alzheimer's disease research program, creates a Special Needs Shelter registration program to provide shelter and services to individuals with Alzheimer's disease in emergency situations, and mandates incentive-based funding for memory disorder clinics.

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The Senate Appropriations Committee last week postponed a vote on a federal funding package for fiscal year 2015 for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The funding, which was approved earlier by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, includes increases of $100 million  for Alzheimer's disease research and  $14.3 million to expand home care and community based services for individuals with Alzheimer's disease.

AFA urges stakeholders to contact committee members and ask them to approve the boost in Alzheimer's disease funding. You may contact members' offices via the link below or by calling the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121.

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CJE SeniorLife's Lieberman Center staff recently utilized funds from an AFA grant to expand the scope of its Purposeful Engagement Program (PEP), which serves more than 80 people living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias.

Specifically, CJE created thematic sensory stations in sitting areas to engage residents with late-stage dementia through tactile items, photographs and different aromas. One station includes life-like baby dolls, a cradle with a mobile, a dresser with vintage baby clothes and blankets, bilingual children's books, scented lotion and baby powder air freshener, and speakers that play lullabies. In weekly nurturance groups led by social workers, residents care for the babies by reading them stories, feeding them, singing to them, and rocking them to sleep.

Ben Dorfman

Atlanta, Ga.

Ben Dorfman, 37, decided he would run a 5K (3.1 miles) each day during May. To solidify his commitment, a friend recommended using the daily runs as a fundraising opportunity.

Dorfman's wife, Amanda Abrams, suggested Alzheimer's disease as the cause, in honor of her mom, Margie Weinstein., who was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's disease at age 59.

Since Dorfrman planned to tally 96.1 miles in total, he seeded the donation pot with his own contribution of $96.10 and e-mailed friends and family to ask for their support. Within only 2 days, he surpassed $1,000, so he increased his goal. Within a week, he raised more than $2,000. Ultimately, Dorfman donated nearly $5,400 to AFA.