Idaho's ADRD Program: Resources for Boise Residents

Dementia doesn’t come with a guidebook, and the journey can feel overwhelming for families in Boise. Between navigating symptoms, managing safety, and finding the right in-home dementia care and support, it’s easy to feel lost. 

Thankfully, Idaho has stepped up with something truly meaningful: the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Program, a state-led initiative designed to educate, support, and care for those living with memory challenges. Whether you’re a caregiver, family member, or recently diagnosed, this program is making a real difference for Boise residents.

What Is Idaho’s ADRD Program All About?

The ADRD Program Idaho launched with one clear goal: to make life easier for people impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. But it’s not just about clinical help—it’s about connection. 

This statewide effort brings together healthcare providers, caregivers, nonprofits, and community members to spread awareness, offer training, and expand services that reach right into local neighborhoods of Boise.

Through grants, partnerships, and boots-on-the-ground support, the program helps people get answers faster, plan better, and feel less alone.

How the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Program Supports Boise

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Program isn’t just another public health initiative—it’s a lifeline woven into the community fabric of Boise. The program offers practical support that reaches caregivers, professionals, and those living with memory challenges in meaningful ways:

• Dementia-friendly training

First responders, hospital staff, and even grocery store employees can encounter someone with dementia on any given day. Through ADRD-funded training sessions, these community members learn how to communicate calmly, respond with empathy, and reduce unnecessary stress or confusion.

• Support groups and workshops

Caregivers carry a heavy load, often in silence. ADRD-sponsored support groups give them a space to exhale, swap stories, and hear from others facing similar struggles. Workshops, meanwhile, offer practical tools—from managing behavior changes to preparing legal documents—helping families navigate each stage of dementia with more confidence and less isolation.

• Memory screening resources

Early detection can be a game-changer. That’s why the program funds and promotes free or low-cost memory screenings throughout Boise. These screenings offer a first step in identifying cognitive changes and allow families to act before challenges become crises. Partnering clinics and mobile health units often host these at libraries, senior centers, and health fairs to make them accessible to everyone.

• Community outreach events

Awareness is key to breaking the stigma around dementia. The ADRD program helps coordinate events like educational fairs, film screenings, and speaker panels across Boise. These events invite residents to learn about the realities of memory loss, how to support neighbors with cognitive changes, and where to turn when help is needed. It’s about replacing fear with understanding, one conversation at a time.

• Connections to respite care and long-term support services

Everyone needs a break now and then, especially caregivers. Through partnerships with agencies like the Area Agency on Aging, families are connected to respite care options, whether it’s a few hours of in-home help or short-term stays at memory care centers. These connections also extend to meal programs, transportation assistance, and long-term planning resources, making sure no one has to navigate this journey alone.

Local Resources Available in Boise

Boise residents can tap into a growing network of services inspired or supported by the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Program. Some highlights include:

1. Southwest Idaho Area Agency on Aging (SWIA3): Offers dementia-specific programs, caregiver support, and information on local services through the Area Agency on Aging for Region III.
2. St. Luke's Neuropsychology: A specialized clinic helping patients and families with early diagnosis, treatment plans, and ongoing management of memory-related conditions.
3. Family Caregiver Navigator Project: Designed to walk family caregivers through tough decisions, connect them with personalized resources, and build a long-term care strategy.
4. Community Memory Cafés: Social gatherings for people with memory loss and their loved ones to connect in a supportive and stress-free setting. Boise residents can find local events like the Dementia-Friendly Memory Café, hosted regularly at the Boise Public Library, offering a welcoming space to relax, engage, and build community.

With all these moving parts working in harmony, Boise’s growing support network offers both professional help and community-based care.

Caring for the Caregivers

Let’s not forget the folks doing the heavy lifting—caregivers. Whether it’s a spouse, an adult child, or a neighbor lending a hand, caregiving for someone with dementia can take a toll. The ADRD Program Idaho recognizes this and focuses on reducing burnout with initiatives that include:

• Free training workshops.
• 1-on-1 support consultations.
• Emergency planning assistance.
• Tools to help manage stress and prioritize well-being.

Caregivers don’t have to run on empty. Support is just a phone call or click away.

How to Get Started With the ADRD Program in Idaho

Curious about how to connect with the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Program? Here’s how Boise families can begin:

1. Reach out to local health departments or aging agencies to ask about ADRD-related services.
2. Schedule a memory screening or cognitive evaluation at a participating clinic.
3. Attend an informational workshop or community event to learn about available support.
4. Ask about respite care and caregiver support options offered through state-funded programs.
5. Get matched with a caregiver navigator to create a long-term plan that fits your family’s needs.

These steps open the door to lasting support, one conversation at a time.

FAQ About Idaho’s ADRD Program

What does ADRD stand for?

ADRD stands for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, a term used to cover a range of cognitive impairments, including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and others.

Is the ADRD Program in Idaho only for people with a diagnosis?

Not at all. The program is also for families, caregivers, and even community professionals who want to better understand dementia and how to support others.

Are the services free?

Many of the educational programs, screenings, and caregiver support services are available at no cost, especially if they’re state-funded or provided through nonprofits. Some services may have sliding scale fees.

Where can I find out about events in Boise?

The Southwest Idaho Area Agency on Aging and local health providers often list events, training, and community cafés on their websites or social media pages.

No one should face dementia alone. Through the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Program, Idaho is weaving a strong safety net that touches every corner of the state, including Boise. 

From diagnosis to daily care, education to emotional support, the program is about bringing help closer to home. And with resources tailored to both those living with dementia and those walking alongside them, Boise families have every reason to feel hopeful and empowered.

Contact BrightStar Care of Boise Today!

Schedule a free consultation today, or apply if you are a nurse looking to work in a compassionate environment held to a higher standard. We invite you to contact us today if you would like to learn more about our wide range of caregiving services! We are located at 4355 W Emerald St, Boise, ID 83706. You may also call us at (208) 338-7878. Hopefully, we'll hear from you soon!