Dementia is a serious public health issue in South Carolina. In response to this, the South Carolina Department on Aging has created and continues to deliver programs and services to support our residents who are impacted by dementia. One such initiative is the creation of a formal state plan to address Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, released in March, 2023. In collaboration with partner organizations, the SCDOA is tasked with executing the plan objectives and updating it every 5 years. This article provides details on the purpose for this plan and how its implementation can improve the lives of residents in our state.
The South Carolina Department on Aging (SCDOA) is pleased to share the South Carolina Statewide Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias for 2023-2028
This plan is the result of strategic collaboration between the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and the South Carolina Department on Aging’s Alzheimer’s Resource Coordination Center (ARCC) Advisory Council.
Some recent statistics that set the stage for this initiative:
- The South Carolina Alzheimer’s Disease Registry estimates that at least 111,818 South Carolinians are living with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.
- According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2023 Facts & Figures report, 95,000 South Carolinians aged 65 and over have Alzheimer’s disease. That number is projected to increase by 26% to at least 120,000 by 2025.
- That same report estimates that 216,000 caregivers are providing unpaid care to a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia in our state.
- According to a 2020 Lancet Commission study, up to 40% of dementia risk is within our control.
Incorporating the input of public health entities, community partners, and residents impacted by dementia across our state, this new plan serves to address these concerning statistics through initiatives to minimize risk and maximize quality care for people diagnosed with dementia as well as their caregivers.
The plan focuses on five principal goals, each associated with a list of actionable objectives:
- Improving knowledge, understanding, and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias by educating and empowering all South Carolinians.
- Supporting policy and advocacy efforts that improve the health and well-being of all people in South Carolina.
- Improving the quality and equity of care to ensure all people in South Carolina can access the resources, health care and support they need for reducing risks and all other issues related to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
- Improving, expanding, and developing multidimensional support and health promotion programs for professional and family caregivers and care partners.
- Improving access to, coordination, and use of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias data and resources statewide
Funding for this initiative is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) via the Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s (BOLD) Act, legislation aimed at early detection, risk reduction, prevention of avoidable hospitalizations, and supporting dementia caregiving. SCDHEC is one of 18 state health departments receiving this funding.
The SCDOA looks forward to helping to implement this plan and improve the lives of South Carolinians affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.