2020 Foresight: San Francisco's Strategy for Excellence in Dementia Care and Alzheimer's/Dementia Summit

San Francisco Department of Aging and Adult Services

San Francisco, CA

https://www.sfhsa.org/about/departments/department-disability-and-aging-services-das

The San Francisco Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) funds and coordinates services to older adults, adults with disabilities and their families to maximize self-sufficiency, safety, health, and independence so persons can remain living in the community as long as possible and maintain the highest Quality of Life. DAAS facilitates the 37-member Long Term Care Coordinating Council (whose policy initiative resulted in this Strategic Planning process). DAAS also provides the Community Living Fund, In-Home Supportive Services, Adult Protective Services, Veterans Services, Intake, Referrals, Advocacy and Legal Services, Services for Frail Seniors, Vulnerable Adults and Their Families, and is the central point for Collaborations in Community Care.

An innovative 11-year Strategic Plan with recommendations for dementia care excellence to policymakers, caregivers, care-receivers, service providers and the public was the accomplishment of the Alzheimer’s/Dementia Expert Panel. Formed in November 2008, the panel was appointed by the Mayor of the City of San Francisco at the urging of the Long Term Care Coordinating Council. To kick-off the Strategic Plan and engage the larger community, a Day-Long Summit for family caregivers, providers, media and the public was held at the City Hall of San Francisco on July 8, 2009.

The Summit was organized collaboratively by DAAS, Mental Health Association, and FamilyCaregiver Alliance. The 300 attendees were family Caregivers, nontraditional informal Caregivers, professional researchers, clinicians, service providers, policymakers, media, other agency personnel including police, and persons with early dementia. The event was conducted in English with simultaneous translation in Spanish and Cantonese. The Mayor of San Francisco was excited to speak at the event and commented on the uniqueness and importance of the Strategic Action Plan. He was impressed to see 300 persons attending the Summit and engaged in moving the Plan forward.

In San Francisco, with 18% of persons over age 60, dramatic increases are expected in Alzheimer’s/Dementia prevalence by 2020. San Francisco Strategy for Excellence in DementiaCare’s goal is to avert the growing crisis in Long-Term Dementia Care and its many negative impacts.