Community-based Alzheimer’s Specific Services for Everglades Agricultural Area; Family Nurse Consultant (FNC) program
Alzheimer’s Community Care
West Palm Beach, FL
Receiving the Award:
Kathleen Herd, Grants Administrator and Mark Cornett, Chief Executive Officer, Alzheimer’s Community Care
Alzheimer’s Community Care launched the Family Nurse Consultant (FNC) program in the Everglades agricultural region of Palm Beach County, reaching the underserved communities of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay. The program provides Alzheimer’s caregivers with education, support and access to community-based services to continue home-based care and experience quality of life for themselves and their loved ones. The minority population of predominantly farm workers faces many challenges including poverty, low education levels, and high unemployment. Because minority populations have been at greater risk for Alzheimer’s disease, the need for access to dementia-specific interventions is critical. The Family Nurse Consultant (FNC) program serves as a lifeline for families living with Alzheimer’s disease. The program’s goal is to provide caregivers with support, tools and resources needed to continue providing home-based care for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease. The FNC provides interventions, home visits, needs assessments, and care plans designed to meet the needs of the family caregiver and care recipient throughout all stages of the disease. These interventions have reduced caregiver stress and reduced or eliminated the need for nursing home placement. The results have been improved quality of life and safety for caregivers and their loved ones.