Alzheimer's Demonstration Program
Administration on Aging


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About AoA Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grant Program

Download the ADDGS Fact Sheet [ Word ] [ PDF ].

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain, and the most common form of dementia. Other causes of dementia include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and fronto-temporal dementia. Alzheimer's disease now affects approximately 5 million Americans. Unless a cure or method of prevention is found, it is estimated that the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) will climb to 14 million by the middle of this century.

Congress created the Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grants to States (ADDGS) program in 1991 under Section 398 of the Public Health Service Act (P.L. 78-410; 42 U.S.C. 280c-3). It was amended by the Home Health Care and Alzheimer's Disease Amendments of 1990 (PL 101-557) and by the Health Professions Education Partnerships Act of 1998 (PL 105-392). The ADDGS program is administered by the Administration on Aging within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The ADDGS program has proven successful in targeting service and system development to traditionally underserved populations, including racial/ethnic minorities, persons of low-income, and rural families coping with Alzheimer's disease. To view ADDGS project summaries from current and previous grantees, please click here .


PROGRAM MISSION

The mission of the ADDGS program is to expand the availability of diagnostic and support services for persons with Alzheimer's disease, their families, and their caregivers, as well as to improve the responsiveness of the home and community based care system to persons with dementia. The program focuses on serving hard-to-reach and underserved people with ADRD.


FUNDING ELIGIBILITY

Awards are only made to state government agencies. The applicant agency is encouraged to have the support and active involvement of the single State Unit on Aging. Only one application per state will be funded. However, multiple state and local agencies are encouraged to collaborate in planning and carrying out the project. All states, except those who will be receiving ADDGS funds of the current year, are eligible to apply.


ADDGS ACTIVITIES

  • Awarded continuing demonstration grants to 38 state government agencies in FY2007.
  • AoA is assisting states to plan, implement, and evaluate ADDGS programs that:
    • Demonstrate how existing public and private resources within states may be more effectively coordinated and utilized to enhance educational needs and service delivery systems for persons with Alzheimer's disease, their families, and caregivers;

    • Link public and non-profit agencies that develop and operate respite care and other community-based supports within the state to people who need services;

    • Advance changes to state systems of home and community based care through the ADDGS program ;

    • Deliver direct services including respite care, home health care, personal care, day care, companion services, and other supportive services to persons with ADRD and their caregivers;

    • Incorporate evidence-based research in the formulation of project proposals;

    • Improve the access of individuals with ADRD and their caregivers to home-based or community-based long-term care services, particularly for individuals who are members of racial or ethnic minority groups, who have limited proficiency in speaking the English language, or who live in rural areas;

    • Coordinate closely with Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) or other single point of entry systems;

    • Serve health care providers, individuals with ADRD, families of such individuals, organizations established for such individuals and such families, and the general public;

    • Provide individualized and public information , education, and referrals about: diagnosis, treatment, and related services; sources of assistance for services; and legal rights of people affected by ADRD.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

•  In 2007, the ADDGS program developed a new 18-month funding opportunity entitled, “ Translating Evidence-Based Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia Direct Services Research into Practice.”

•  AoA identifies “Best Practices” within ADDGS projects and disseminates information on successful and replicable innovative approaches and programs. Please visit the ADDGS National Resource Center for more information.


FOR MORE INFORMATION

•  For more information on the ADDGS program, please email Lori Stalbaum , the ADDGS Project Officer.

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