Alzheimer’s Alliance Texarkana Area Inc. has been awarded nearly $63,935 through the Alzheimer’s Association Center for Dementia Respite Innovation to expand services and therapeutic programs for local families.
Expanding Dementia Care
The grant will support the introduction of evidence-based cognitive stimulation activities, including animatronic companion animals, therapeutic baby dolls, structured gardening experiences, and bird-watching stations. These programs aim to reduce anxiety, encourage social interaction, stimulate memories, and provide meaningful engagement tailored to each participant’s cognitive, emotional, and physical abilities.
The Our Place Day Respite Center has provided dementia-specific respite care since 2013, serving families throughout a 22-county region in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Approximately 25 families benefit from the program each week, and more than 10,000 hours of respite care have been provided since the center opened.
The Alzheimer’s Alliance estimates that about 17,000 families in the Alliance’s service area are affected by Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. The expanded programming will provide additional opportunities for engagement while helping reduce anxiety and isolation among participants.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
