Mission Alzheimer's Family Day Center (AFDC) strives to enhance the well-being and quality of life of each person during the course of an Alzheimer's-type illness, through therapeutic and innovative approaches. As families are also affected by the illness, we promote caregiver wellness through education and support. Vision To create a community where people with Alzheimer's disease can live their lives to the fullest potential, achieve their highest degree of independence and continue to live in a compassionate and supportive community with their families until a cure for the disease is found. Values We respect each individual we serve, their dignity, abilities and choices. We value teamwork and cooperation. We recognize each member of our team and the importance of their contribution to the Center. We value innovation, creativity and flexibility. We believe that alliances strengthen our program and organization. We are committed to sharing information and our experience with others.

Description:
Alzheimer's Family Day Center (AFDC) is a not-for-profit organization providing a wide range of services to people with Alzheimer's disease and their families. Serving the local community since 1984, AFDC offers a safe, uplifting, and engaging environment for people with dementia and is a practical resource for caregivers.

AFDC is the only dementia-specific adult day center in the Washington, D.C. area. It is the first, and still the only center in Northern Virginia with programs for people in the later stages of an Alzheimer's type illness.

Our Center is open 5 days a week, from Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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.

The Center's first day of business was in 1984 for a half-day with three participants.



In June of 1985, AFDC moved into the educational wing of Chesterbrook Presbyterian Church in Falls Church.



In 1989, the Center received a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to expand the Home Companion Program and the capacity of the day care center.



In 1994, the Center became a licensed adult day care program - becoming the first of its kind to specialize in the care of people with dementia.



In 1998, through a grant from the Arlington Health Foundation, our late-stage program (the Sunshine Club) was expanded, allowing the Center to serve more people in need of this specialized care.



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, adopting "Alzheimer's Family Day Center."



In 2002, AFDC was awarded a federal grant from the Administration on Aging to demonstrate the effects of physical therapy and Tai Chi in an adult day care setting.



In 2004, the Center moved to its new location in Fairfax. The newly renovated space is specifically designed for people with Alzheimer's-type illnesses. With twice the square footage of our first home, the Center can now provide services to 40 participants a day.

To date, over 1,000 families have been served in our dementia-specific adult day care program and thousands of others through support groups, training and health education.

Contact person: Volunteer Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, (703) 204-4664, (email)
Main office number: (703) 204-4664
Office fax number: (703) 204-0509

Address:

2812 Old Lee Highway, Suite 210 Fairfax, VA 22031 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Dunn Loring,   Walk distance (in minutes): 15