Record Breaking Alzheimer’s Funding

Staff Reports

Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted record funding for Alzheimer’s and related dementias and signed Senate Bill 806, to establish the Ramping up Education of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia for You (READY) Act. Additionally, the Governor announced that the final pillar of the five-part Dementia Action Plan, created in 2019, has been fulfilled with the establishment of the Florida Alzheimer’s Center for Excellence. The Freedom First Budget signed

this month by the Governor included record funding for Alzheimer’s and dementia care, marking a nearly 60% increase in funding since the Governor took office in 2019.

     “Supporting Floridians suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia is an important part of supporting our seniors,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We are working to make sure that any Floridian suffering from this terrible disease can access resources while also supporting innovative technologies that will open up doors for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients in the future.”

     The Freedom First budget includes $52.3 million for the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative Program, an increase of $12 million over the previous year. Additionally, $91.7 million is included for the Community Care for the Elderly Program, an increase of $9 million over the previous year. This program assists functionally impaired seniors to remain in the least restrictive, most suitable environment for their needs.

     Further, Florida has established the Florida Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence (FACE) under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis. This program focuses on enhancing the infrastructure available to support impacted seniors, families and caregivers. FACE includes innovative partnerships like the one between INSIGHTEC and a consortium of Florida universities that identify patients for the Blood Brain Barrier clinical trials for more effective treatment of Alzheimer’s.