At a glance
Who it's for
Adults with a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's or a related dementia, and their caregivers
Respite
In-home, facility-based, emergency, and extended respite of up to 30 days
Caregiver help
Case management, training, counseling, support groups, supplies and equipment
Diagnosis
17 Memory Disorder Clinics across Florida
How to start
Call 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) for respite and caregiver services

Dementia caregiving has a particular kind of exhaustion. It isn't just the physical work. It's answering the same question twelve times before lunch, sleeping with one ear open in case Dad tries to leave the house at 3 a.m., and slowly losing the parent you knew while still taking care of them.

Florida has run the Alzheimer's Disease Initiative (ADI) since 1985 to support families in exactly that position. It has four parts, and most families only need to know about two of them.

The four parts of ADI

1. Respite care. Someone else takes over so the caregiver can rest, run errands, go to their own doctor or simply sleep. ADI respite can be:

2. Caregiver support. Case management, caregiver training (how to handle bathing refusals, wandering, sundowning), counseling, support groups, and help with medical supplies and equipment.

3. Memory Disorder Clinics. Florida has 17 state-designated clinics across 13 service areas, mostly at major medical centers. They do full diagnostic evaluations, help families understand the diagnosis, and train both caregivers and professionals.

4. The Florida Brain Bank. A research program that collects donated brain tissue after death to study dementia, and confirms the diagnosis for the family.

Who qualifies for respite

ADI respite is for adults 18 and older with a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia that affects their daily life. The services are delivered locally through Florida's 11 Area Agencies on Aging, so the specifics, including any waitlist or co-payment, depend on your parent's county.

How to get started

  1. Get an evaluation if you don't have one. Ask your parent's doctor, or contact the nearest Memory Disorder Clinic. A clear diagnosis also matters for Medicaid, insurance and legal planning.
  2. Call 1-800-96-ELDER. Ask about Alzheimer's Disease Initiative respite and caregiver services in your parent's county. The call is routed to the local Aging and Disability Resource Center.
  3. Describe the caregiver's situation, not just your parent's. Say how many hours a day you're providing care, whether you work, and what happens when you need a break. ADI is about supporting you.
  4. Ask what else fits. Families with a parent who has dementia often qualify for CCE, Home Care for the Elderly or a screening for Medicaid long-term care at the same time.

Do the legal documents before the next stage A person in the early stages of dementia can often still sign a power of attorney, health care surrogate and will, if they understand what they're signing. That window closes. Once it does, families usually need a court guardianship, which is slower and costlier. If your parent was recently diagnosed, an elder law appointment should be near the top of the list.

Things caregivers learn the hard way

Paperwork to gather while your parent can still help

  • Durable power of attorney and health care surrogate
  • Living will and any DNRO
  • The will or trust, and the name of the lawyer who drafted it
  • Life insurance and long-term care insurance policies
  • Bank, retirement and pension account information
  • A list of online accounts and who manages them
  • Medicare, supplement and Part D cards
  • The diagnosis letter from the doctor or memory clinic

The best time to gather these is while your parent can still tell you where things are. A DokuDocs vault keeps them encrypted, and your parent can name who can request access later.

Outside help that's worth knowing

Why we included this guide Dementia is the situation where documents go missing most often. A parent who always kept things organized starts moving papers, hiding them or throwing them out. DokuDocs gives families one secure copy that can't get misplaced, and a way to hand off access when the time comes.

Questions families ask

Does my parent need a formal diagnosis to get ADI respite?

Respite services are for adults with a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia that affects daily living. If your parent hasn't been evaluated, a Memory Disorder Clinic or their doctor is the place to start.

Is there a cost for ADI services?

Memory clinic visits are usually billed to Medicare or insurance. For respite and other caregiver services, ask your local agency whether a co-payment applies in your area.

What is the Florida Brain Bank?

It's a state-supported research program that collects brain tissue donated after death to study dementia. It also confirms the diagnosis for the family. Enrollment happens while the person is alive, through designated centers.

How much respite can we get?

It depends on the care plan and local funding. ADI respite can be a few hours a week at home, time in a facility, emergency respite, or extended respite of up to 30 days.

This guide explains public programs in plain language. It is not legal, medical or financial advice. Program rules, dollar amounts and phone numbers change, so confirm details with the agency before you apply. DokuDocs is not affiliated with any government agency.