Alzheimers Community Care

Our 3 "A"s: Affordable, Accountable, Accessible Judith B. Rappaport and Mary M. Barnes are joined by Gene Pranzo (left) and Thornton M. "Tim" Henry, Esq. (right), trustees of the benefactors for the new Wellington Center. Partnering With You to Fulfill Our Mission FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO Mary M. Barnes The impact on families and caregivers being afflicted with a neurocognitive disorder is substantial. It is estimated that caregivers of patients sustained $9.7 billion in additional health care costs in 2014. One of our tools to change those statistics is a robust education and training program. I have known for a long time, even during the early years of Alzheimer's Community Care's development lifecycle, that we could not be effective in executing our mission alone and we could not do it in a vacuum. Therefore, collaborations, relationships and partnerships were the answer. This became the centerpiece of our strategy for sustaining our services and resources to be Affordable, Accountable and Accessible. One of those relationships for Alzheimer's Community Care is the realization of a grant award on Sept. 1, 2015, from the United States Department of Health and Human Services/Administration for Community Living. The grant, one of 11 nationally, provides for expansion of dementia-capable service systems in Southeast Florida. One of its major focuses is education and training initiatives for nursing and social work students, health care professionals at the West Palm Beach Veterans Administration Medical Center, and for the community at large. Community-based services to local persons living alone with a neurocognitive disorder, caregivers, and families of racial and ethnic diversity will also be enhanced and expanded through this grant. In addition, Alzheimer's Community Care was chosen as a 2015 Merit Finalist Award recipient by the Mutual of America Foundation for our Dementia-Specific practicum for Nursing Student Program. Our affiliation agreements with universities and colleges in South Florida provide clinical experiences for undergraduate and graduate nursing students within our community-based model of care. This is so exciting because these clinical practitioners may find themselves as Family Nurse Consultants, working in long-term care facilities, doctors' offices, hospitals, home health agencies, hospices and other forms of health care. Since a neurocognitive disorder is apparent at every level of health care and social service systems, this grant will give us the opportunity to have the reach for training into medical and clinical circles that we have desired for a long time. Alzheimer's disease and related disorders will be a footprint within their education experience, which will be a tremendous contribution to fulfilling our promise that is stated so eloquently within our vision statement. It is such an honor to be President and CEO of this organization. Our Board of Directors value our work and mission and our very talented staff and volunteers make it live and thrive every day. Also, I cannot overstate the fact that we have compassionate and committed donors and foundations that have ensured that we have the resources to complete our tasks to serve our families every day. I Truly Remain, Mary M. Barnes President and CEO ALZHEIMER'S COMMUNITY CARE / FALL 2015 3 FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Judith B. Rappaport Affordability, Accountability and Accessibility. These three powerful words, also known as our 3 "A"s, are a critical part of our vision to have a specialized dementia-specific service within 15 minutes of driving time for every one of our caregivers. That may sound ambitious, but we are working hard to accomplish that goal. At this time we have 10 Alzheimer's Care and Service Centers throughout Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties and two free-standing offices located in Delray Beach and Stuart. Working from a lean budget for the number of locations we have in all three communities, we are always watching and governing the capabilities of the organization in order to deliver on our promises. Our Fiscal Year 2014/15 Financial Audit shows that for every dollar raised only 30 cents comes from the state government. That means 70 cents is generated from fundraising and special events, grants, donations, local government and foundations. The other statistic we are exceedingly proud of and working so hard to maintain is that for every dollar spent, between 90 and 92 cents goes directly to the services and resources we provide. We recently dedicated our newest Specialized Alzheimer's Day Care and Service Center in Wellington. Please see page 13 to read about the dedication and how it ties into the theme of this issue - the 3 "A"s. If it were not for the generosity and caring of the Leo and Anne Albert Charitable Trust and the James and Claudine Kirkwood Fund of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, we could not provide the services that are so necessary for our families who cope with neurocognitive disorders every day. These gifts will keep giving for many years to come. In the first quarter of 2016, we anticipate opening our 11th Specialized Alzheimer's Care and Service Center. This will be our second center in St. Lucie County. The Board of Directors has been aware of the great need for this center, and we finally have the opportunity to meet that need because of the generosity of the Leo and Anne Albert Charitable Trust, which is underwriting all of the costs of the renovation. This is yet another miracle and blessing for our community. With the holidays upon us please remember Alzheimer's Community Care in your plans for charitable gifts. Your donations go far, but not far away. If you want to see your gift in action please contact Mary Barnes, our President and CEO, and she will be pleased to give you an accounting of how your cherished donation helps so many of our families. Your donation is truly one you can see and feel. As the Chair of Alzheimer's Community Care's Board of Directors, I speak for the entire Board in wishing you many blessings during these upcoming holidays. Sincerely, Judith B. Rappaport, Chair ALZHEIMER'S COMMUNITY CARE / FALL 2015 2 "We pledge ourselves to be change-agents so that human dignity becomes a fundamental aspect of all dementia-specific treatment."

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