The 2024 Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures provide the latest national and state-by-state statistics on Alzheimer’s disease prevalence, mortality, caregiving, workforce and cost of care. The 2024 special report, Mapping a Better Future for Dementia Care Navigation, explores dementia care navigation by reporting survey responses from caregivers and health care workers on their experiences, challenges, awareness and perceptions of care navigation as it relates to dementia care.

The Orcas Island Family Caregiver Support Group (FCSG) meets every Monday, 1pm to 2pm. This support is FREE for anyone who is an unpaid caregiver for someone 60+ or a disabled adult. Offers weekly support group, massage therapy, caregiver counseling, dementia and/or legal specialist services

For more information, contact Heidi Bruce, Aging & Family Case Coordinator at heidib@sanjuancountywa.gov or (360) 370-0591.

Only home health agency that services SJC; referral from PCP or hospital/skilled nursing; offers nursing, OT, PT and speech therapy; covered by Medicare.

Alpha Home Health and Hospice – Home Health, Physical Therapy, Hospice – Everett, WA (alphahomehealthhospice.com)

Contact Heidi Bruce (heidib@sanjuancountywa.gov) for assistance with this guide: 9605en_dementia-legal-planning-toolkit.pdf (washingtonlawhelp.org)

A helpful overview of dementia: Dementia Road Map: A Guide for Family and Care Partners (wa.gov)

In collaboration with six people living with dementia, the Dementia Engagement, Education, and Research Program at the University of Nevada Reno, developed the Dementia Self-Management Guidebook. This Guidebook, designed and formatted for people living with dementia, offers information to support individuals in developing personalized strategies to live well with dementia. It also includes helpful community resources recommended by people living with dementia to aid in managing life after a diagnosis.

Hot and/or frozen meals that can be delivered to client’s home; helpful for people with dementia and/or their caregivers; suggested donation of $5 per meal, but no one is turned away for lack of funds. Contact Steven Ziegler, Senior Services Specialist: 360-376-7525

The team has extensive experience working with clients with dementia and their caregivers. Hospice Care for Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Snohomish counties (hospicenw.org)

On-demand transportation, by donation; home delivery of Rx, Food Bank and Mobility Equipment. https://islandrides.org/

Free mobility equipment rental; volunteers at Orcas Senior Center M, W, F 10-11am or by appt. Contact Orcas Senior Center Front Desk: 360-376-2677

This is the Area Agency on Aging that SJC contracts with for most of our Senior Services programs; recipient of one of two Dementia Catalyst Grants in WA State, initial phase provides community education and advocacy to individuals with dementia and their care partners; they also have a great on-line directory of dementia-related forms: Resources | NWRC (Northwest Regional Council) (nwrcwa.org)

Has worked with clients with dementia to support them in having pets as long as possible, and in re-housing when most appropriate: Orcas Animal Protection Society - ABOUT US (orcaspets.org)Orcas Animal Protection Society - ABOUT US (orcaspets.org)

Free transportation support; three-day notice; on-island medical/non-medical appts; can be helpful for reoccurring appointments and having the same driver each week for people with dementia.): ORCAS DOOR TO DOOR – A Lahari Aging on Orcas Program

Offers weekly delivery service on Thursdays; can be helpful to clients with dementia who are primarily homebound. orcasislandfoodbank.org

Listing of majority of private caregivers on Orcas; clients can submit a Care Request via the website: Orcas Caregiving Connection – a Lahari Aging on Orcas Resource

Connects low income clients with financial support programs; coordinates with SJC Senior Services to offer complex case coordination, including clients with dementia and other layered mental health, substance abuse and/or hoarding issues). Contact 360-376-3184

Adult Family Home offering day or long-term care; emphasis on memory care. https://orcaslovingcare.com/

Staff has been helpful to work with care teams/social service agencies to support residents in their housing units with dementia. http://www.opalclt.org

Dementia Friendly Orcas Initiative; Hearts and Hands Buddy program; community meals, music/art classes, workshops; community education. Orcas Senior Center

Offered under contract with Northwest Regional Council; supports include case coordination, home-delivered and community meals, Family Caregiver Support Program and Senior Information and Assistance. Contact Heidi Bruce at heidib@sanjuancountywa.gov.