Duval County

Gov. DeSantis visits Jacksonville senior living center, announces increase in Alzheimer’s disease funding

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced an increase in funding for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia resources.

He made the announcement Monday morning at The Windsor at San Pablo, a senior living center in Jacksonville which offers assisted living and memory care services, according to its website.

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DeSantis said the $12 million increase in funding would bring the state’s total funding commitment to $51 million for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.

Included in that funding increase is $6.7 million, which will go toward the Florida Department of Elder Affairs’ Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative, which will provide approximately 700 people and their families supportive care and respite services, DeSantis said.

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The Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative’s Brain Bank Memory Disorder Clinics will also get additional support. These clinics provide comprehensive diagnosis and referral services. The clinic that services Northeast Florida is located at Mayo Clinic.

Governor DeSantis also said $5 million will continue to go toward to Alzheimer’s research within the Florida Department of Health.

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The Mayo Clinic is funded through this program too, giving people opportunities to participate in clinical trials there.

DeSantis said Florida is the only state that has Alzheimer’s and dementia listed as its “own priority” with the state health improvement plan.

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The governor also talked about Aducanumab, a drug that was recently given conditional approval by the FDA to treat patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s.