In Ocala, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez hails governor's Alzheimer's and dementia funding

Money to assist families and friends whose loved ones suffer from Alzheimer's disease or dementia is available, and Florida's lieutenant governor visited Ocala on Wednesday to highlight that funding.

Flanked by several other government officials, Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez told an audience at Hospice of Marion County's Elliot Center that Florida has been a leader in the fight against these diseases. She thanked Gov. Ron DeSantis for making this a priority, and reaffirmed the state's dedication to helping people "live long, healthy and secure lives."

Nunez said Florida has 4.4 million people ages 65 and older. That's about 20% of the population. She said 580,000 of those ages 65 and older are dealing with Alzheimer's and dementia, and the state is first in funding in those areas.

Nunez said DeSantis recently signed the Framework for Freedom budget, which provides $65 million for Alzheimer's-related issues. That's an increase of $12.5 million from the previous year. Nunez said the money includes $9 million to expand services in memory disorder clinics and the Brain Bus Initiative.

Nunez said there's an increase of $5 million to expand the Community Care for the Elderly and Home Care for the Elderly programs.

The state Department of Elder Affairs website displays some other key points of the Framework for Freedom budget. One of them: more than $400,000 for Hope Florida, which supports navigators, and the Hope Heroes volunteer program, which connects seniors to resources and support within private, non-profit, volunteer and faith-based communities.

"We'll continue to fund, we'll continue to support, we'll continue to innovate, and we'll continue to make sure to provide support systems for families fighting this terrible disease," Nunez said.

1-800-96-elder

Florida Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Michelle Branham, also speaking in Ocala, said Alzheimer's affects many people and called it an "unforgiving disease."

Statewide, more than 800,000 people provide unpaid care "to a loved one with this disease," Branham said.

The secretary said she's seen first hand how the disease can be during her years of work with the Alzheimer's Association.

Nationwide, Florida is ranked second for the number of Alzheimer's and dementia patients, said Cari Eyre, statewide dementia director at the Department of Elder Affairs.

"This disease is truly all around us," and "no family's needs are the same," Eyre said.

Eyre said the FACE (Florida Alzheimer's Center of Excellence) program is currently serving more than 250 families. FACE is a three-tier program that supports family caregivers, Eyre said.

She expects that, with the continued support from the governor, Nunez and Branham, they will continue "to grow this program" and "serve more seniors and their family each day." She said if anyone would like to learn more about the program or contact a care navigator, they should call 1-800-96-ELDER.

Personal story

Here locally, Marion Senior Services Executive Director Jennifer Martinez said there are 143,000 residents who are age 60 and older. Martinez said the state funding helps organizations such as hers to continue doing their work. She also thanked law enforcement officials for being a partner and dedication in helping seniors.

Also speaking on Wednesday was Christina Ramos, executive director and administrator of Touching Hearts at Homes in Gainesville. She said the family business was created by her parents, whom she acknowledged in the audience. It was inspired by her grandmother, Rita Noa.

Ramos said her grandmother was living by herself and her mother noticed changes. Ramos' mother took Noa to a doctor, who diagnosed her with dementia. Ramos said "it ripped our worlds."

She said her grandmother would be a danger to herself and others if it wasn't for Touching Hearts. She cannot feed herself or speak, Ramos said.

She said it's difficult to grieve the life of a loved one lost, even though they're still living. She said if her grandmother could be there, she would be proud of the work lawmakers and the governor are doing to fight the disease. She hails the funding as "phenomenal."

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Lt. Gov. Nunez comes to Ocala touting Alzheimer's and dementia funding