Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Initiative

(1) The Department of Elderly Affairs shall contract for the development and implementation of the Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Initiative. The initiative must provide an opportunity for residents affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia to benefit from greater support and to obtain information that is validated in national research. (2) The initiative must, at a minimum: (a) Include a website and other related electronic resources that will address all of the following:1. The advantages of early detection and diagnosis.2. How to reduce risk factors.3. The importance of brain health.4. The importance of talking to a professional about being screened and assessed for Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia.5. How to promote healthy aging.6. Recent progress in Alzheimer’s research and the availability of clinical trials.7. Community resources available for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia.8. Any related topic deemed appropriate by the department. (b) Use the Department of Elderly Affairs’ Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Resource Guide as a part of the initiative materials. (c) Promote health care provider education in partnership with the Department of Health to help improve care and services for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia in accordance with s. 381.825. (d) Use varied forms of advertising for public events, including, but not limited to, print advertising, digital advertising, and advertising on social media platforms. (e) Include a statewide mobile in-person outreach program that prioritizes those in underserved communities and provides information on issues relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia, including, but not limited to, brain health, risk education, early detection, and diagnosis. The program may also provide referrals to the department and provide information regarding any available community resources relating to Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. (3)(a) The entity with which the department contracts to develop and implement the Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Initiative must be a statewide nonprofit organization that:1. Has a history of focusing on care and support for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia, including providing online resources to caregivers and people living with the disease and through community-based events and supporting Alzheimer disease research; and2. Has the organizational capacity to manage a statewide initiative and successfully carry out the requirements of this section. (b) The entity shall collaborate with other relevant state agencies and private organizations to develop and implement the initiative. Such agencies shall collaborate with the entity to carry out the initiative. (4) The Alzheimer’s Disease Advisory Committee shall annually evaluate the effectiveness of the initiative and make recommendations to the department and the Legislature concerning the need for future funding for the Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Initiative each year as a part of the advisory committee’s annual report.