Brenda Stalzer

The council discussed the status of the BOLD infrastructure grant and recent initiatives regarding community-clinical linkages and a brain health media campaign. Updates were provided on the Department on Aging's Dementia Care Specialist program, including award recognition and staffing progress. The council also addressed delays in the Alzheimer's Disease Registry report and finalized the election of the Executive Committee. Additionally, volunteers were solicited for the upcoming grant application review cycle, and members shared information regarding statewide needs assessments and relevant research publications.

The meeting focused on several key initiatives, including an update on the South Carolina Alzheimer's State Plan implementation and the distribution of dementia toolkits. Discussion topics covered the ongoing analysis of the statewide Caregiver Needs Assessment, insights from the Dementia Specialist Summit, and the results of the U.S. POINTER Study regarding lifestyle interventions and brain health. Updates were provided for the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and the Alzheimer's Disease Registry, specifically regarding grant applications and publication productivity. The council issued a call for nominees for the executive committee elections and received an overview of the Medicare-funded GUIDE Model for dementia care navigation.

The key discussions focused on several agenda items. The council reviewed and approved the June 2025 minutes. A presentation detailed the PREPARE Participant Registry Study, a Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) registry aimed at enrolling participants in non-medication research studies, including discussions on recruitment challenges and potential assistance from the Advisory Council. An update on the Primary Care Provider (PCP) Survey results provided insights into current views on Alzheimer's Disease, Related Dementias (ADRD) diagnosis and treatment, common comorbidities managed, diagnosis tools utilized (MMSE, MoCA, Mini-cog), prescribed medications, referral patterns, and reported barriers to diagnosis and service access. The council also heard an update on the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), noting that lifestyle interventions reduced the risk of MCI and early-stage dementia. The draft of the 2025 Implementation Plan detailing subcommittee work was reported as complete and under review, although the consolidation of objectives did not occur as planned. Discussions regarding the SC Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Update and SC Alzheimer's Disease Registry Update were postponed.

The South Carolina Department on Aging's State Plan for 2025-2028 outlines a comprehensive strategy to address the evolving needs of older adults, family caregivers, and vulnerable adults in South Carolina, guided by the Older Americans Act. The plan is structured around four key strategic pillars: Accessibility, Workforce, Quality of Life, and Safety and Security. It aims to enhance service delivery, raise public awareness, and foster an environment where older adults can live independently with dignity, achieve economic security, and actively contribute to their communities.

This Area Plan Extension and Update for the Pee Dee Area Agency on Aging outlines a strategic roadmap for serving older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers across Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, and Marlboro Counties from 2023 to 2027. The plan focuses on three main goals: maintaining effective and responsible management of Older Americans Act services, empowering individuals for independent living through comprehensive support, and ensuring the rights of older adults by preventing abuse and exploitation. Key initiatives include enhancing client assessment and information services, expanding transportation and nutrition programs, strengthening caregiver support, and implementing evidence-based health and wellness programs. The overarching vision is to enable older adults to live independently in their homes and communities for as long as possible.