Cicilline Announces Seven Hills Rhode Island to Receive Nearly $1 Million for Alzheimer’s Care Initiative

PAWTUCKET – U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI) today announced that Seven Hills Rhode Island (SHRI) is receiving a $926,601 grant through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative: Specialized Supportive Services Project.

The new grant will support a three-year initiative to strengthen care for older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), as well as Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD). Seven Hills Rhode Island is leading the effort in partnership with the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices and the Alzheimer’s Association of Rhode Island.

“As the number of individuals with I/DD and dementia increase it is critical that our professional support system provide the expertise and resources to ensure high quality care within our communities,” commented Dr. Christine Gadbois, Vice President of Seven Hills Rhode Island. “SHRI is fortunate to have strong partnerships with agencies who can collaborate to provide consultation and training to program staff and education and support to the many family members providing essential care to these seniors. We are extremely grateful and  excited for the opportunity to partner with state and national experts to disseminate the very latest research into best practice here in Rhode Island.”

With this new grant, Seven Hills Rhode Island will lead a three-year effort to address service gaps for Rhode Islanders suffering from IDD and ADRD and the state’s 37 provider organizations. Among the issues that will be addressed are:

• Lack of early and periodic diagnostic services, community education, and community-based supports for adults with IDD
• Limited support for caregivers in decision-making regarding financial, legal and long-term care planning
• Lack of accessible specialized, evidence-based training for both caregivers and direct support professionals of adults with IDD that will result in a more person-centered level of support for an adult with dementia
• Limited availability of clinicians
• Limited Behavioral Symptom Management training for Developmental Disability (DD) Provider staff and family caregivers
• Limited collaboration among DD Providers and existing organizations who are leaders in the field of ADRD in order to establish a more cohesive and comprehensive approach to supporting the target population

“Seven Hills is helping lead the effort to ensure the 22,000 Rhode Islanders living with Alzheimer’s today are able to get the best care and treatment available,” said Cicilline. “With this new grant, Seven Hills will be helping to enhance access to effective programs and services for patients, provide consultation for family caregivers, and promote family-centered care for those with moderate and severe forms of this disease. I applaud everyone at Seven Hills for securing this important grant and working to find innovative ways to care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s.”

Each year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living provides three-year grant awards to fill gaps in long-term services for Alzheimer’s patients. More than five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s today – a figure that is projected to increase to 16 million by the year 2050, when the cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s will also grow to $1.1 trillion. Today, 13% of all American seniors are living with Alzheimer’s, which was the 6th leading cause of death in Rhode Island in 2012.

Seven Hills Rhode Island, an affiliate of the Seven Hills Foundation, is a comprehensive health and human services organization supporting more than 1,000 residents throughout the state. Seven Hills has more than 60 years of experience providing a wide range of supports for infants, children and their families, adults, and seniors with various disabilities and life challenges. The organization’s integrated supports are individualized, person-centered, and community-based. Our holistic approach provides a range of health care, behavioral health, community supports, assisted living, day habilitation, educational, and vocational expertise. Partnering with other providers, businesses, cultural organizations, and the Rhode Island State Health and Human Services system, Seven Hills Rhode Island provides a comprehensive approach to ensuring that each person has access to the supports needed to achieve his or her goals and dreams.

Constituents in Rhode Island’s First District who would like to learn more about the services and assistance available through Congressman Cicilline’s office should call 729-5600 or send an email to David.Cicilline@mail.house.gov.