Governor Ron DeSantis announced $51 million in funding for Alzheimer’s and dementia research, according to a press release from the Governor’s Office Monday.
The release highlights a $12 million increase for the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year and how Florida is the only state in the nation that Alzheimer’s and related dementias are a specific priority in its State Health Improvement Plan.
On June 1st, Governor DeSantis signed a proclamation recognizing June as Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in Florida. In a comment made in Monday’s press release, DeSantis stated, “Some of the most difficult health conditions that impact many seniors are Alzheimer’s and dementia and… awareness of the initial signs and symptoms are increasingly important. Our strong financial commitment of $51 million allows Florida to prioritize the advancement of research and support needed for this disease.”
Vice President of Public Policy for the Alzheimer’s Association, Michelle Branham, stated in the release, “From adding Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias as a priority within the State Health Improvement Plan…, the Governor has continually demonstrated his commitment to supporting Florida’s seniors, and particularly those facing dementia. Governor DeSantis has been instrumental in the efforts to make Florida a more dementia capable state, and we are so grateful to have his support.”
An organization mentioned in the release that receives funding is Florida’s Dementia Care and Cure Initiative (DCCI) which has 16 task forces across the state of Florida. The initiative focuses on getting communities to become more dementia caring or friendly. Another recipient of funding is the Ed and Ethal Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research Program that is awarded grants through the Florida Department of Health (FDH). The program funds studies regarding the diagnosis and treatment for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In 2020, 22 projects were announced by the FDH that received a total of $4.5 million in grant funding.
Along with being the only state to make Alzheimer’s and dementia a priority, Florida is also the first state to provide Project VITAL, or Virtual Inclusive Technology for All, which are dementia-capable tablets for seniors living in long-term care facilities who are cognitively impaired.
Currently in Florida, there are approximately 580,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease across the state, according to the Governor’s Office. That number is estimated to rise to 720,000 by 2025.
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Casey Owens is a contributing writer for The Florida Capital Star. Follow him on Twitter at @cowensreports. Email tips to [email protected].Â
