About Us
About the DECARD project
Delaware Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (DECARD) was formed out of the Delaware’s State Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders to support data collection, analysis and dissemination as well as basic translational and clinical research activities in the state. DECARD has evolved into a one-stop website for information on Alzheimer’s disease resources, services and research in Delaware.
The work of DECARD succeeds largely because of the support and dedication of the partners of the Delaware State Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Steering Committee. This includes nonprofit, governmental and private organizations along with individuals who have been affected by Alzheimer’s disease. As a statewide collaboration, DECARD fosters collective ownership and accountability. No single organization owns, finances or controls the initiative. The collaboration works toward five goals while fostering a health equity perspective:
- Increase awareness of and understanding about Alzheimer’s disease.
- Bring focused attention to the development of long-term care services for persons with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Strengthen support for caregivers.
- Improve the capacity of Delaware’s workforce to respond to the needs of persons with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Increase Delaware’s capacity for Alzheimer’s disease-related research and data collection.
About Delaware’s State Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders
In December 2013, the Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD), in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter, released the Delaware State Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders. The plan was developed out of recognition of the enormous social, emotional and economic impact of Alzheimer’s disease and the need to find creative approaches to support the many people impacted in Delaware.
The plan identified five goals, each with accompanying objectives and strategies. Broadly speaking, the plan outlines actions to: increase awareness of and understanding about Alzheimer’s disease; bring focused attention to the development of long-term care services for persons with Alzheimer’s disease; strengthen support for caregivers; improve the capacity of Delaware’s workforce to respond to the needs of persons with Alzheimer’s disease; and increase Delaware’s capacity for Alzheimer’s disease-related research and data collection.
Through the Delaware Alzheimer Disease Initiative Steering Committee, five workgroups corresponding with the five goals of the Plan were developed. Members of the Steering Committee chair each. The Steering Committee consists of the following individuals:
Henry Alisa, Caregiver
Bob Bird, Home Instead
Patricia Curtain, M.D., Christiana Care Health System
Michael Gitcho, Ph.D., Delaware State University
Joan Gleckel, Psychiatric Nurse Consultant
Kelvin Lee, Ph.D., University of Delaware
Denise Lyons, MSN, Christiana Care Health System
Katie Macklin, Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter (co-chair)
Barbara McCaffery, Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities
Cindy Mercer, Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (co-chair)
Veronica Rempusheski, University of Delaware
Pat Risher, AARP
About the Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD)
The Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD), a division of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, provides a broad range of services to support older persons, persons with disabilities and caregivers. Services specific to those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their caregivers include Adult Day Services, Adult Foster Care, Alzheimer’s Day Treatment, Assistive Devices, Attendant Services, Caregiver Resource Centers, Case Management, Community Living, Congregate Meals, Home Delivered Meals, Legal Services, Lifespan Respite, Options Counseling, Personal Care, Personal Emergency Response System and Respite Care.
If you or someone you know is interested in any of the services listed contact the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). The ADRC can help you learn more about available resources, decide what services are best for you and find what you need. After speaking with an ADRC representative you will be referred to appropriate services including care planning by a DSAAPD care manager.