Grant Stories

In March 2023, a significant grant was awarded to advance the understanding and support of Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Oshkosh and the surrounding areas. This grant from the Dementia Awareness Fund, held within your Community Foundation, has enabled a collaborative effort between the Fox Valley Memory Project (FVMP), Winnebago County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), and the Alzheimer’s Association to address the growing needs of families affected by these conditions.

Goals and Action Steps

The grant aimed to achieve several key objectives:

1. Increase Understanding: Educate the community on distinguishing Alzheimer’s and related dementia from normal aging.
2. Improve Interactions: Provide guidance on how to better interact with individuals living with these diseases.
3. Connect to Resources: Link families with appropriate support resources within the local community.
4. Expand Services: Increase the number of families served in the Oshkosh area.

To reach these goals, the ADRC, FVMP, and the Alzheimer’s Association undertook the following action steps:

• Marketing and Outreach: Developed a marketing theme and utilized various advertising mediums to spread awareness.
• Enhanced Accessibility: Created a user-friendly online and telephone system for families to access support at all stages of the dementia journey.
• Community Engagement: Organized outreach and education events to boost grassroots awareness.
• Healthcare Integration: Strengthened connections with local healthcare providers.

Measurable Outcomes

The impact of this grant has been substantial:

• Increased Engagement: Hits to the ADRC website surged from 17 per week in early 2023 to 100 per week.
• Expanded Service Reach: FVMP saw a rise in the number of unique individuals served, from fewer than 25 in 2022 to over 100 now.
• Higher Program Participation: The number of duplicated people attending support programs increased from 362 to 1,097 by the end of 2023.
• Ongoing Support: The ADRC has also experienced a rise in the number of families accessing resource referrals and direct care education.

Continued Efforts and Future Plans

To date, $18,952 of the $25,000 Dementia Awareness Fund grant has been utilized, with an additional $10,000 in in-kind support, cash, and staff time. Despite these achievements, the work continues. With the aging population and the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer’s and related dementias, ongoing outreach is essential.

Plans for the remainder of the year include:

• Additional Outreach: Utilizing the remaining $6,048 from the grant and an extra $6,000 in in-kind support for continued advertising and outreach efforts.
• New Initiatives: Launching Google ads, outdoor transit system ads, and billboard campaigns on Witzel Avenue.
• Fundraising Event: Hosting a fall fundraiser at the Watters or Paine Art Center to further support care programs and enhance outreach.

As we look forward to the end of 2024, our commitment remains strong in supporting families affected by dementia and expanding the reach of these vital resources. Every step we take brings us closer to a more informed and supportive community for those living with Alzheimer’s and related conditions.