(Washington, DC) –Today, the Bowser Administration, through the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL), awarded a total of $250,000 in grant funding to two community-based organizations focused on supporting individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias and their caregivers. The funds were awarded through DACL’s new Fiscal Year 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) program, which focuses on advancing programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and caregivers that are affected by Alzheimer’s and other related dementias.  
  
“We are overjoyed to work hand in hand with two existing partner organizations to further prioritize the well-being of our city’s ADRD population,” said Charon P.W. Hines, DACL Director. “Together, we will enhance the lives of so many older Washingtonians by providing practical answers, effective solutions, and tools tailored to their everyday needs.”  

The grants, totaling $250,000, have been awarded to two DC community-based organizations that demonstrate excellence in their proposed programs, with a focus on proven and evidence-based approaches. These programs are designed to address critical aspects of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias, including prevention, intervention, outreach, resource referral, linkages for caregivers and recipients, and financial management assistance and education for individuals living with dementia. 
  
The FY24 grantees of the ADRD grant program include: 

• Genevieve N. Johnson Senior Day Care Center – Awarded $75,000 to support their monthly Caregiver Support Group and weekly Caregiver Lounge that provides wellness activities and meditation for caregivers. The Caregiver Lounge also features speaker-led presentations on various subject areas related to ADRD. GNJ Senior Day Care Center’s goal is also to prioritize sessions on money management, bill pay, and assisting seniors with dementia in maintaining their financial literacy and independence for as long as possible.  
• Iona Senior Services – Awarded $175,000 to support their Money Management Program. This eight-year-old program is set to fill gaps identified by social workers to assist clients with dementia with bill payment and money management. The money management/bill pay support program is successful as it prevents or delays guardianship and removes the risk of financial exploitation.  

DACL’s launched the ADRD grant program this year to allow community-based organizations who are providing ADRD programming to apply for funding. The selected organizations for FY24 have showcased their ability to replicate best practices in ADRD for therapeutic programs and interventions.
  
The target population for this program is comprised of individuals aged 60 and over, residing in the District of Columbia, with a particular emphasis on people living with ADRD, paid and unpaid caregivers for those diagnosed with ADRD, ADRD service providers, underserved and low-income seniors, dementia care providers, those affected who are at high risk of experiencing loneliness and social isolation, and seniors living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. DACL will solicit proposals for the FY25 ADRD grant program, and community-based organization can stay up to date about when the funding opportunity will be available by visiting DACL’s website.  
For more information about programs offered through the Department of Aging and Community Living to support DC’s seniors, visit https://dacl.dc.gov/.