Dementia Care Specialist Program (South Carolina)

Dementia Care Specialist Program (South Carolina) is sponsored by South Carolina Department on Aging. This program provides education and support navigation to families in South Carolina impacted by a suspicion or diagnosis of dementia.

Dementia Care Specialist Program | South Carolina Department on Aging Dementia Care Specialist Program According to the USC Office for the Study of Aging’s SC Alzheimer’s Disease Registry , there are currently 125,538 residents of South Carolina living with a dementia diagnosis. Alzheimer’s Association Facts & Figures report shared that there are at least 229,000 residents of South Carolina caring for them.

A suspicion or diagnosis of dementia can be overwhelming for families. In 2022, the South Carolina Department on Aging recognized that families affected by dementia needed more support to help navigate the next steps and resources. Our state’s first Dementia Care Specialist (DCS) was hired utilizing funds from a 2-year federal grant.

Through research, collaboration, and grassroots efforts, a formal Dementia Care Specialist Program was established. The South Carolina State Legislature then allocated recurring funds to expand the program with nine more Dementia Care Specialists, providing one in each of SCDOA’s 10 planning and service areas of SC.

This allows hyper-local support for residents who suspect or have received a diagnosis of dementia, their family caregivers, family members, and communities. What Does a Dementia Care Specialist Do?

Our regional Dementia Care Specialists provide: Individual Consultation – meeting with families to better understand their circumstances related to dementia and providing guidance and support navigation through appropriate local, state, and national resources. Program Support – helping organizations start or sustain dementia-supportive programs and services in their communities.

Dementia-friendly Communities – advocating for the creation and implementation of dementia-friendly communities where people living with dementia and their families feel safe and supported. Additional Dementia Statistics The World Health Organization estimates that globally, 55 million people are living with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases every year.

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that there are nearly 7 million people in the United States diagnosed explicitly with Alzheimer’s Disease. This number is projected to more than double by 2060. In South Carolina ( USC SC Alzheimer’s Disease Registry ): 11% of residents ages 65+ are living with a dementia diagnosis.

56% of residents ages 85+ are living with a dementia diagnosis. 70% of SC residents diagnosed with dementia live in a community setting. Dementia 101: The Basics Class Not sure where to start?

The South Carolina Department on Aging offers a helpful education class, “Dementia 101: The Basics”. This is a 1-hour program providing a comprehensive introduction to dementia and the support resources available in our state. Many topics are covered, including: Defining dementia and Alzheimer’s disease Types and stages of dementia Dementia 101: The Basics is offered both virtually and in-person.

We offer a recurring webinar the first Wednesday of each month at 1pm. Our Dementia Care Specialist team also provides this and other education classes in-person in the community. To learn more about our upcoming dementia and brain health education opportunities, see our Dementia Trainings page .

All dementia education programs offered by the South Carolina Department on Aging are free and open to the public. To request a speaker to provide an in-person dementia education program in your community, complete this brief speaker request form . SCDOA has produced this SC Dementia Toolkit to provide general information and resources to help the residents of our state navigate a dementia diagnosis.

Contact the Dementia Care Specialist Serving Your Area If you or someone you know suspects or has received a diagnosis of dementia and would like help navigating the next steps, call 1-800-868-9095 or submit a request using our Dementia Support Request Form .