History
Alzheimer's Community Care was founded in 1996 by a group of local residents who were concerned about the growing number of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
There were no specialized treatment services available locally, nor was any organization dedicated exclusively to helping individuals and their caregivers with dementia. In response to this need, Mr. Donald Baxter dedicated financial resources and gathered a group of local donors, caregivers and community leaders to establish a not-for-profit agency named Alzheimer’s Community Care of Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
Founders included Mr. Gaston Jones, Mr. James Gregory and Mr. Fred Kroll. They determined that all funds raised would be used locally to provide community-based services, and that both caregivers and patients would receive the highest quality specialized care delivered with dignity and compassion.
Mary M. Barnes, a long time advocate for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia disorders, was hired as the founding Executive Director. Through the generosity of the C. Kenneth and Laura Baxter Foundation, construction began in October of 1996 on the Baxter Building. The Baxter Building was designed to house the headquarters of Alzheimer’s Community Care and three other charities. Alzheimer's Community Care received its 501(c)(3) letter of determination from the Internal Revenue Service in October 1996.
Construction was completed in July of 1997 and the agency moved into its beautiful new home on Northpoint Parkway in West Palm Beach.
The Specialized Alzheimer’s Day Service Centers
Alzheimer’s Community Care began with three Specialized Alzheimer’s Adult Day Service Programs in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton and Pahokee, and one Family Nurse Consultant. It soon became clear that the needs in the community were far greater than the services available, and Alzheimer’s Community Care began to grow in response to these needs.
In December of 1998, services were expanded into Martin County. In September of 2003, the first adult day service program opened in St. Lucie County. The agency name was changed to Alzheimer’s Community Care of Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties, and later to simply Alzheimer’s Community Care.
Setting Standards in Care
Over the past eleven years, Alzheimer’s Community Care has set the standard for dementia-specific care, helping patients and caregivers maintain quality of life after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, and by providing specialized services and resources to help caregivers continue caring for their loved one at home.
Alzheimer’s Community Care now has eleven Specialized Alzheimer’s Adult Day Service Programs and seven Family Nurse Consultant offices in fifteen locations throughout three counties. The most recent addition came with the opening of the Riviera Beach Specialized Alzheimer’s Adult Day Service Center and Family Nurse Consultant office in March of 2008.
Alzheimer’s Community Care places a safety net around patients and caregivers every day. That safety net has expanded over the years to meet the growing needs of the community.