By Jennifer Brewton, LMSW
Learning that you or a loved one has dementia is never part of anyone’s life plan. Yet as South Carolina’s older adult population grows, so does the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). While diagnosis is difficult, advocacy, education, and coordinated planning have strengthened the state’s ability to support individuals and families navigating dementia.
“What is most important to remember is that the list of things someone living with dementia can do is always longer than the list of what they can’t do,” Tori Anderson, South Carolina’s first Dementia Care Specialist (DCS), said during her monthly Dementia 101 webinar.
In August 2022, the South Carolina Department on Aging (SCDOA) piloted the DCS role using a two-year Public Health Workforce Grant from the Administration for Community Living. For Anderson, the position aligned with both professional and personal goals. A former caregiver to her parents and a long-distance caregiver to her brother, who was diagnosed with early-onset dementia in his 50s, Anderson understands firsthand the challenges families face.
“If I had known then what I know now, I would have done many things differently,” she shared. “Now I’m in a position to help others make more informed decisions.”
Upon joining SCDOA, Anderson became a Certified Dementia Practitioner and is now certified to train others as the program expands statewide.
South Carolina has supported dementia care for more than 30 years. In 1994, Governor Carroll Campbell signed legislation establishing the Alzheimer’s Resource Coordination Center (ARCC) and Council. Housed within SCDOA, the ARCC provides state-funded grants to community agencies serving people with dementia. In 2021, the agency added a dedicated Dementia Coordinator and established the Caregiver and Alzheimer’s Resource Division to focus specifically on support and education for caregivers and individuals living with dementia.
Inspired by similar programs in Wisconsin, Florida, and Georgia, the DCS model was championed by division leadership and piloted in 2022. Anderson conducted a statewide needs assessment to ensure the role complemented existing services. In her first phase alone, she reached more than 3,000 individuals and provided more than 200 one-on-one consultations.
In 2024, SCDOA’s budget request to fund and expand the program statewide across the 10 Area Agencies on Aging regions was awarded. Advocacy from the Alzheimer’s Association helped keep the initiative visible to legislators. Using data from the Alzheimer’s Disease Registry at the University of South Carolina, the agency prioritized regions with the highest need and fewest resources. There are currently eight Dementia Care Specialists serving the state, with plans to hire two additional within the next few months.
Each Specialist brings a unique background, and they share a deep commitment to service. “We are excited to be a leader among other states on addressing the needs of our caregivers. Our Dementia Care Specialist program brings awareness to resources our caregivers desperately need,” South Carolina Department on Aging Director Connie Munn said.
