South Dakota Department of Human Services Receives Grant to Launch Dementia-Capable Communities Initiative to Enhance Support for Those Living with Dementia and Their Caregivers

Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS), a division of the South Dakota Department of Human Services, will launch the South Dakota Dementia-Capable Communities Initiative (SD DCCI) with a $1,059,973 Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative (ADPI) grant from the Administration for Community Living (ACL).

The SD DCCI will seek to address the critical need for improved support systems for individuals impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their caregivers. LTSS will begin with two pilot programs in the Aberdeen and Belle Fourche communities.

In addition to providing essential support to individuals living with dementia and their family caregivers, the SD DCCI will also strive to increase awareness and reduce stigma to engage communities and help individuals living with dementia remain independent and safe in their communities. The initiative will adopt a multi-phased approach focusing on two primary objectives:

1. Create, Expand, and Sustain a Dementia-Capable State Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) System: This objective includes ensuring that individuals living with dementia and their caregivers can easily access necessary services and support.
2. Ensure Access to Comprehensive, Sustainable HCBS Systems: This involves establishing quality, dementia-capable HCBS systems that offer innovative solutions to meet the needs of individuals living with dementia and their families.

“We are committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers by partnering with local communities,” said Lesley Farmen, State Dementia Coordinator and ACL Program Administrator for the South Dakota Department of Human Services. “The South Dakota Dementia-Capable Communities Initiative represents a significant step forward in creating a coordinated community approach to accessing services for those impacted by ADRD.”

In support of its grant application, LTSS received letters of commitment from the University of South Dakota School of Health Sciences, the South Dakota Foundation for Medical Care, the South Dakota chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and businesses and organizations in Aberdeen and Belle Fourche. Support from the Aberdeen community included the Aberdeen Senior Center, Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, and Minds Matter. Support from the Belle Fourche community included Monument Health – Belle Fourche, the Belle Fourche Police Department, and Belle Adult Day Services LLC.

For more information about the South Dakota Dementia-Capable Communities Initiative, contact Farmen at 605-773-3656 or Lesley.Farmen@state.sd.us.