Addressing Alzheimer’s Disease: A Key Focus for Florida’s Aging Population

Raising Alzheimer's Awareness

Florida is at the forefront of what has become a growing public health issue sweeping across the U.S. — the rapid rise of Alzheimer’s disease. With one of the largest aging populations in the country, the Sunshine State faces an uptick in Alzheimer’s disease diagnoses.

As of 2023, more than 580,000 Floridians are living with Alzheimer’s. By 2025, that number is expected to rise nearly 25% to 720,000. In Northeast Florida, the numbers are equally alarming, with counties like Clay, Duval, and St. Johns seeing increased diagnoses and care needs.

What’s Driving These Trends?

Florida’s demographics provide part of the answer. The state is home to more than 4.5 million residents over the age of 65, many of whom are at risk for age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.

In Northeast Florida alone, seniors make up a significant portion of the population, with growing disparities in Alzheimer’s diagnoses among the Hispanic/Latino community. Hispanic Americans are 1.5 times more likely than non-Hispanics to develop Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, yet they remain underrepresented in research and care initiatives.

Early Detection and Community Support

Despite the daunting numbers, early diagnosis and intervention can make a significant difference. Alzheimer's disease progresses in stages. Identifying symptoms early allows individuals and families to better manage the condition.

Yet, many Florida residents remain unaware of the early signs, such as memory loss, confusion, and difficulty completing familiar tasks — or the importance of routine cognitive health screenings.

UF Health Jacksonville is one of many institutions in Northeast Florida that is working to close these gaps. In addition to health systems, community-based initiatives are also making an impact. Focused efforts include public awareness campaigns, support for caregivers, and clinical research trials prioritizing prevention and treatment, ultimately offering increased valuable resources to the region’s aging population.

Here are some of the key active support efforts:

• Aging True Community Senior Services: Aging True offers home care, case management, and other community-based services to elderly residents in Northeast Florida. Their programs aim to support the health and well-being of seniors, including those with cognitive impairments.
• Alzheimer’s Association Central and North Florida Chapter: This organization provides support groups, educational workshops, and caregiver resources for those affected by Alzheimer's disease. They host public awareness campaigns and advocate for research and policy improvements in the region.

• ElderSource – Aging & Disability Resource Center: ElderSource is the Area Agency on Aging for Northeast Florida, providing support services like caregiver education, respite care, and advocacy for seniors, particularly those facing challenges related to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
• PACE Jacksonville (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly): PACE provides comprehensive medical and social services to elderly individuals in the community, allowing them to remain in their homes while receiving the care they need. Their services include Alzheimer's and dementia care, along with caregiver support.

• UF Health Jacksonville: UF Health Jacksonville provides advanced care for Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-related conditions, offering comprehensive diagnostic evaluations, personalized treatment plans, and support for patients.
• UF Health Jacksonville Clinical Research Programs: These programs focus on Alzheimer’s disease prevention, involving clinical trials and studies aimed at understanding and mitigating cognitive decline in older adults. The community is actively involved through participation in these trials. Notable examples include the PACT study (Preventing Alzheimer's disease with Cognitive Training), which explores how cognitive training may delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease, and the ACTIVE MIND study, which investigates the effects of cognitive training to improve functional abilities and memory in older adults with memory complaints.

Programs like the Physical and Cognitive Aging Study in Older Adults (PASOS) address disparities in Hispanic participation in research, which will be vital to advancing Alzheimer’s disease prevention for all.

Looking Ahead: A Call to Action

Alzheimer’s disease awareness isn’t just about education — but taking proactive steps to ensure that Florida’s communities are prepared for the future. By promoting brain health strategies such as regular physical activity, cognitively engaging activities, and proper nutrition, Northeast Florida’s health care providers are at the forefront of empowering individuals to reduce their risk.

As the numbers continue to rise, so must our collective efforts to confront Alzheimer’s disease head on. By prioritizing early detection, supporting diverse research initiatives, and raising public awareness, we can make a lasting impact in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease in Florida and beyond.

About the author

Stacey Alvarez-Alvarado, Ph.D., M.S., is an assistant professor of neurology at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville. Her primary research interest revolves around combating age-related cognitive and physical function decline.

References

https://elderaffairs.org/wp-content/uploads/ADAC-Report-2023.pdf