History

Alzheimer's Family Day Center (AFDC) was established in 1984 to benefit people who were not being served by existing community services - specifically people in the middle to late stages of dementia or those with behavior challenges and incontinence.

The concept for the Center came from the minds and hearts of Northern Virginia's first Alzheimer's caregiver support group members.  On July 14, 1984, the Family Respite Center (which later became Alzheimer's Family Day Center) was incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Timeline

The Alzheimer’s Family Day Center was established by Lin Noyes Simon in 1984 with the Alzheimer’s Association. 

AFDC had its first day of business in 1984 with three participants.

In 2001, the board of directors passed a resolution to change the name of the organization to better reflect who we are and what we do, and adopted “Alzheimer’s Family Day Center.”

In 2004, the Center moved to a new location specifically designed for people with Alzheimer’s type illnesses. This newly renovated space has twice the square footage of our former facility and allows the Center to provide services to more participants each day.

In 2005, AFDC hosted the first annual Tribute to Caregivers luncheon, raising awareness of the growing need to support caregivers, and to raise funds for our programs and services.

In 2006, AFDC founded the Circle of Friends Monthly Giving Program, allowing members to contribute to our sustainability through a reliable source of monthly funding. 

In 2006, AFDC was named one of the “best small charities in the Washington region” by the Catalogue for Philanthropy.

In 2007, AFDC added a professional Activity Assistant to the staff team to enhance the therapeutic activity program and added the service of a Licensed Occupational Therapist to work with individual participants twice each month. 

In 2007, AFDC increased average daily attendance from 23 to 30 participants per day; held 32 caregiver support groups; offered 39 educational programs for family caregivers; provided 44 early intervention Mind and Body workshops for individuals who have been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia.

In 2008 we added the services of a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner.

In 2009 programming for those who have been recently diagnosed was added:  the Saturday Social Club, where participants can remain active and socialize in a safe, non-judgmental setting.

On September 24th, 2009 AFDC celebrated its 25th year of providing direct service to thousands of families in the Northern Virginia area at our 1st Annual Garden Party.

In 2010, AFDC was again selected to participate with the Catalogue for Philanthropy, as “one of the best small charities in the Washington region.”

In 2010, AFDC expanded it's Board of Directors to 14 members.

In 2011, AFDC received funds to hire a certified art therapist to work weekly with the day center participants.