Page 17 - Gilbert Awards 6-Year Scrapbook

2010 Winner, Policy & Advocacy:

Mountain Projects, Inc. - Waynesville, NC

Mountain Projects, Inc. is a non-profit organization in Waynesville, NC that assists those in need to re-

main as independent as possible. The agency has served the residents of Haywood and Jackson Coun-

ties for 45 years with a reputation for integrity and compassion. Haywood Community Connections is a
program of the Senior Services Department that brings nonprofits, government entities, businesses and

community members together in collaboration, and is responsible for forming the Alzheimer & Dementia

Workgroup. Website: www.mountainprojects.org

Program: The Alzheimer’s

& Dementia Workgroup

The goal of the workgroup was to in-

crease awareness of Alzheimer’s disease

and other dementia-related illnesses

and to advocate for increased support-
ive services. The workgroup, encom-

passing those diagnosed and their care-

givers, brought Safe Return and Project

C.A.R.E. to Haywood County. Safe

Return is an emergency response service
for those with Alzheimer’s disease or a

related dementia. Project C.A.R.E. uses

a family consultant model to provide

consumer-directed respite care and

comprehensive support to caregivers.

The workgroup also established Day-by-
Day to teach faith-based organizations

how to serve those with Alzheimer’s

disease and their caregivers.

“It is wonderful to know she is cared for and safe when I’m at work. We could never have kept (our

mother) at home this long without Project C.A.R.E. It has been so very, very helpful to us.” - Project
C.A.R.E. Caregiver

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