Overview
The Alzheimer's Resource Coordination Center (ARCC), housed within the South Carolina Department on Aging, was established by state legislation in 1994 to serve as a statewide focal point for coordination, service development, information, education, and policy related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD).
The ARCC works with its Governor-appointed Advisory Council and statewide partners to strengthen South Carolina's dementia service system, identify unmet needs, support community programs, and advance implementation of the South Carolina Statewide Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias.
The ARCC is staffed by the Dementia Coordinator, who supports the Advisory Council, coordinates statewide partners, monitors progress on dementia-related priorities, administers the ARCC Grants Program, and prepares required reports on ARCC activities and State Plan implementation.
Looking for dementia support?
If you or someone you know suspects or has received a dementia diagnosis and needs help navigating next steps, the South Carolina Department on Aging's Dementia Care Specialist Program can provide education, guidance and connections to resources.
What the ARCC Does
Working with the ARCC Advisory Council and statewide partners, the ARCC:
- Coordinates dementia-related programs, services, planning, research, and educational initiatives.
- Identifies service gaps and opportunities to improve access to dementia-capable supports.
- Serves as a statewide resource for dementia education, research, training, and technical assistance.
- Supports community-based dementia services through the ARCC Grants Program.
- Maintains and advances South Carolina’s Statewide Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias and reports annually on progress.
- Provides recommendations to policymakers on issues affecting people living with dementia, caregivers, and communities.
View the ARCC’s statutory responsibilities
Dementia in South Carolina
Current statewide data illustrate the growing impact of dementia on individuals, families, and communities:
- 125,538 South Carolinians have a documented diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.
- 70% of South Carolinians with a documented dementia diagnosis live in the community.
- 11% of South Carolinians aged 65 and older have a diagnosed ADRD.
- 61% of South Carolinians diagnosed with ADRD are women.
- Approximately 229,000 family caregivers provided 377 million hours of unpaid dementia care in 2025, valued at approximately $7 billion.
- 60.6% of South Carolina dementia caregivers report a chronic health condition; 31% report living with depression; 15.2% report poor physical health.
Sources: USC Office for the Study of Aging’s South Carolina Alzheimer’s Disease Registry and Alzheimer’s Association Facts and Figures.
South Carolina Statewide Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
The 2023-2028 Statewide Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias serves as South Carolina’s framework for coordinated action to improve dementia awareness, policy, access to care, caregiver support, and the use of data and resources. The ARCC Advisory Council serves as the statewide stakeholder coalition supporting implementation of the Plan.
The Plan is organized around five strategic priorities:
- Education for Healthcare Providers and Community
- Advocacy and Policymaking
- Access and Connection to Care
- Caregiver Support
- Data and Resources
View the 2023-2028 Statewide Plan.
ARCC Advisory Council
The Governor-appointed ARCC Advisory Council brings together representatives from state agencies, healthcare, research, long-term care, community organizations, advocacy groups, caregivers, and other stakeholders. The Council advises the ARCC and supports coordinated implementation of South Carolina’s statewide dementia priorities.
The Advisory Council meets quarterly, and meetings are open to the public.
Upcoming Meetings
- Tuesday, September 15, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
- Tuesday, December 15, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
- Tuesday, March 2, 2027, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
- Tuesday, June 8, 2027, from 11 am to 1 pm in person at the South Carolina Department on Aging
ARCC Grants
The South Carolina General Assembly provides annual funding to the ARCC for competitive grants to community organizations that offer dementia-specific respite, education, and innovative programs.
Since the program began, ARCC grants have supported substantial statewide impact:
- More than 398 grants have been awarded to community organizations.
- More than 7,723 people living with ADRD supported through respite services.
- More than 79,725 participants reached through dementia education.
- 20 innovative dementia programs supported since 2021.
Contact the ARCC
To learn more about the ARCC, contact the Dementia Coordinator by emailing ddaniel@aging.sc.gov.