According to the USC Office for the Study of Aging’s SC Alzheimer’s Disease Registry, there are currently 125,538 residents of South Carolina living with a dementia diagnosis. Alzheimer’s Association Facts & Figures report shared that there are at least 219,000 residents of South Carolina caring for them.
A suspicion or diagnosis of dementia can be overwhelming for families. In 2022, the South Carolina Department on Aging recognized that families affected by dementia needed more support to help navigate the next steps and resources. Our state’s first Dementia Care Specialist (DCS) was hired utilizing funds from a 2-year federal grant. Through research, collaboration, and grassroots efforts, a formal Dementia Care Specialist Program was established. The South Carolina State Legislature then allocated recurring funds to expand the program with nine more Dementia Care Specialists, providing one in each of SCDOA’s 10 planning and service areas of SC. This allows hyper-local support for residents who suspect or have received a diagnosis of dementia, their family caregivers, family members, and communities.
What Does a Dementia Care Specialist Do?
Our regional Dementia Care Specialists provide:
- Dementia Education – helping families and communities understand what dementia is – and isn’t – so they can be effective advocates when dementia is suspected or diagnosed.
- Individual Consultation – meeting with families to better understand their circumstances related to dementia and providing guidance and support navigation through appropriate local, state, and national resources.
- Program Support – helping organizations start or sustain dementia-supportive programs and services in their communities.
- Dementia-friendly Communities – advocating for the creation and implementation of dementia-friendly communities where people living with dementia and their families feel safe and supported.
Additional Dementia Statistics
- The World Health Organization estimates that globally, 55 million people are living with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases every year.
- The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that there are nearly 7 million people in the United States diagnosed explicitly with Alzheimer’s Disease. This number is projected to more than double by 2060.
- In South Carolina (USC SC Alzheimer’s Disease Registry):
- 11% of residents ages 65+ are living with a dementia diagnosis.
- 56% of residents ages 85+ are living with a dementia diagnosis.
- 70% of SC residents diagnosed with dementia live in a community setting.
Getting Started
Dementia 101: The Basics Educational Webinar
Not sure where to start? The South Carolina Department on Aging offers a live webinar, “Dementia 101: The Basics” on the first Wednesday of each month from 1-2 p.m. This program provides a general introduction to dementia and the support resources available. Many topics are covered, including:
- Defining dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
- Types and stages of dementia
- Signs and symptoms
- Risk factors
- Diagnosis and treatments
- Care planning tools
- Support resources
Pre-registration for Dementia 101: The Basics is required for each session.
To request a speaker to provide an in-person dementia education program, complete this brief speaker request form.
SCDOA Dementia Toolkit
SCDOA has produced this SC Dementia Toolkit to provide general information and resources to help the residents of our state navigate a dementia diagnosis.
Contact the Dementia Care Specialist Serving Your Area
If you or someone you know suspects or has received a diagnosis of dementia and would like help navigating the next steps, call 1-800-868-9095 or email dementia@aging.sc.gov.