Iona Senior Services Awarded $1 Million Federal Grant to Serve People Impacted by Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD)

Iona Senior Services (Iona) today announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) Alzheimer’s Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI), has awarded Iona their first federal grant award in the amount of $998,347. 

Through this three-year project, Iona seeks to address and improve service gaps in the existing dementia-capable home and community-based service (HCBS) system affecting aging individuals living alone with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) in the LGBTQ community and individuals aging with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) with ADRD, and their family caregivers. 

“This award represents the opportunity for Iona to expand our services and strengthen our commitment to our most vulnerable older adults and their caregivers here in the nation’s capital,” says Iona’s CEO, Joon Bang. Many of whom are individuals aging alone with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, especially in marginalized communities, and it is our privilege to partner with them in this important work. We are thrilled to get started alongside our project partners and will make every effort to address and improve the gaps in the current system so that caregivers are supported and the individuals aging alone with dementia receive the care they deserve.” 

The support Iona has received from the District and the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) since 2015 has allowed for the development of programs like Money Management and Dementia Navigators, two important Iona programs that serve older adults living with dementia throughout the city. 

“The Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) is proud to continue working alongside Iona, as we recognize the importance of providing essential services and supports that enable older adults to maintain their independence and quality of life,” says Charon P.W. Hines, DACL’s Director. “We know this award will positively impact the lives of seniors in our community, as well as those who care for them, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Iona to promote healthy aging for all." 

In Washington D.C., there are an estimated 14,224 people living with ADRD and 14,000 family caregivers providing 15 million hours of unpaid care. The LBGTQ community and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are among the highest risk of developing ADRD — both populations, and their family caregivers, need dementia-capable services targeting their unique needs. Iona will engage with key partners to enhance and provide additional services to address specific service gaps in the existing dementia-capable HCBS system. Our partners for this project include: 

• Department of Disability Services- provides the residents of the District of Columbia with information, oversight, and coordination of services for people with disabilities and those who support them 
• National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices- advocates for services and supports for people with intellectual disabilities and their families who are affected by Alzheimer's disease and dementias 
• SAGE- a national leader serving LGBTQ older adults and provides cultural competency training through SAGECare
• L’Arche DC- serves adults with intellectual disabilities who may be at high risk of developing ADRD 
• Whitman-Walker- provides health care services to individuals in the LGBTQ community who are aging, and living with ADRD, including HIV Dementia 
• Mary’s Center- a community health center that provides an integrated model of health care, education, and social services 
• St. John’s Community Services- supports individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities who may be at high risk of developing ADRD 

All the above-mentioned partners seek to provide a voice to those living alone, those with IDD, and those in the LGBTQ community who have or are at high risk for ADRD. 

We believe this project will help enhance the District’s capacity to provide effective services to LGBTQ older adults living alone with ADRD, improve the quality and effectiveness of programs dedicated to individuals aging with IDD with ADRD, and improve quality of life for older adults with ADRD and their caregivers.

About Iona Senior Services: 

Founded in 1975, Iona Senior Services is a nonprofit in the District of Columbia that helps more than 4,500 older adults and caregivers each year as they experience the challenges and opportunities of aging. Iona educates, advocates, and provides community-based services to help people age well and live well. For more information, visit www.iona.org.