Jewish Family Service of San Diego announced Friday that it will use an award of more than $945,000 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve care for Alzheimer’s disease patients and their families.
The funds will allow JFS to fill existing service gaps and enhance staff and volunteers’ ability to provide skilled Alzheimer’s care in San Diego County.
“More than 60,000 residents throughout the county are affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias,” said JFS CEO Michael Hopkins.
“This award gives us a huge opportunity to bridge the gaps in current care and support individuals and caregivers living with these illnesses that are unique and ever-changing,” Hopkins said. “The funding also helps us develop an innovative referral model to reduce the time, energy and confusion that many face when seeking further assistance.”
Over the next three years, JFS will use the funds, in partnership with Alzheimer’s San Diego and other community organizations, to enhance and expand existing programs for clients and caregivers.
The programs provide support services to persons living with dementias in the community, and offer behavioral symptom management training and expert consultation to family caregivers.
At the end of the project, staff will evaluate the programs’ effectiveness, document lessons learned, and disseminate findings and resources to the community, according to JFS.
Among other things, the organization will use $150,000 to open its Balboa Avenue Older Adults Center, which focuses on serving individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, an additional day each week. The center provides attendees with activities to encourage mind-body wellness, live entertainment and kosher lunches.
The center will also implement a music and memories program for clients.
–City News Service
