Introducing the RAFT Dementia Support Program
 The Regional Older Adult Facility Mental Health Support Team (RAFT) is excited to announce our new initiative – The RAFT Dementia Support Program! The RAFT Dementia Support Program fulfills a vital community need for individuals with dementia and their caregivers to prevent psychiatric hospitalizations, and to provide comprehensive education and planning to improve caregiver resilience while improving safety and stability in community placement.
The Dementia Support Program will officially launch January 1, 2023; however, we are accepting referrals before then.
The Mission
The RAFT Dementia Support Program teaches family members and caregivers how to effectively manage problematic behaviors. Fostering new skills to manage behaviors can create less distress for the individual with dementia, their family and their caregiver.
When working with families and individuals living with dementia, the RAFT Dementia Specialists will…
- Assess challenging behaviors and develop a Plan of Care
- Make connections to appropriate community resources
- Provide evidence-based, individualized education and training
- Create individualized Wellness and Recovery Action Plans to prevent and intervene in crises
Service Areas
- Alexandria
- Arlington
- Fairfax
- Loudoun
- Prince William
Eligibility Requirements
- Resident of one of the program services areas
- 65 years of age or older
- Diagnosis of dementia or exhibiting symptoms of dementia with behaviors
- History of psychiatric hospitalization or at risk of psychiatric hospitalization
- Living in the community in their homes, or the homes of family members or other caregivers
Making a Referral is Easy!
Anyone can make a referral to request education and training from the RAFT Dementia Support Program. Referrals can come from individual family members, government agencies, home health care agencies, senior centers, adult day care, hospitals and any other organizations working with older adults. You can make a referral on our website or contact us for more information.
Alice Straker, RAFT Manager, astraker@arlingtonva.us / 571-357-0274
Sydney Palinkas, RAFT Dementia Education and Outreach Coordinator, spalinkas@arlingtonva.us / 703-814-2701
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