Kiggans Announces $2.5M Federal Grant to Support Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patients

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) announced a $2,498,470 grant awarded to Nasoni, LLC by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The grant, which will be awarded over a two-year period in increments of $1,249,235, will go towards advancing Nasoni’s cutting edge research to support Azheimer’s and dementia patients. Specifically, Nasoni will use this funding to integrate advanced sensor technology into faucets that help patients perform essential hygiene tasks safely with independence. Congresswoman Kiggans sent a letter of support to the Director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) on behalf of this project last year. 

“As a geriatric nurse practitioner with extensive experience working in memory care, I understand the challenges Alzheimer’s and dementia can cause,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “While most of us interact with household items like a faucet without thinking, individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia struggle to use these tools independently, which can create significant barriers to accessing clean water for drinking and hygiene. I was proud to support Nasoni’s grant application so they could continue working to eliminate those barriers through cutting-edge technology. I look forward to seeing this project improve the quality of life for patients with these diseases and help restore dignity and self-reliance into their daily routines.”

“Nasoni is truly honored to receive this $2.58 million SBIR Direct to Phase II Grant from the National Institute on Aging (NIA),” said Nasoni President and CEO Steve Waddell. “This is our third NIH SBIR grant award in just two years, reinforcing our commitment to developing products that make a real impact. At Nasoni, we’re focused on one clear goal: making our smart sensor fountain faucet the center of health and wellness in every bathroom. Our faucet isn’t just about convenience; it’s about empowering people—especially those dealing with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and motor impairments—to live more independently and safely. As the smart home market expands, we’re filling a critical gap by addressing the unique challenges faced by millions of Americans. This grant brings us one step closer to ensuring that every bathroom can support health and wellness in a meaningful way. We’re not only excited about the road ahead and grateful for this support, but also incredibly proud of the team we’ve assembled to tackle this challenge. We’re especially pleased to be partnered with Eastern Virginia Medical School and collaborating with experts like Dr. Hamid Okhravi and Dr. Bahar Niknejad, whose insights are invaluable to our mission.”

Nearly seven million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to grow to 13 million by 2050. In 2019, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias accounted for nearly 10% of all deaths in the U.S. In recent years, studies have shown the mortality rate for Alzheimer’s and related dementias has risen more rapidly in nonmetropolitan areas than in urban areas. Additionally, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the vast majority of water systems that have a history of violating federal health standards multiple times serve fewer than 10,000 people, with most serving fewer than 3,300…indicating smaller, more rural communities struggle with water quality.

Congresswoman Kiggans is the only board-certified Adult-Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner in Congress. A graduate of Old Dominion University’s Nursing School and Vanderbilt University’s Nurse Practitioner program, she has worked in several long-term care and nursing facilities in Virginia Beach and Norfolk in addition to serving as a primary care provider for a small private practice in Virginia Beach. After coming to Congress, she re-launched the Assisting Caregivers Today Caucus and was selected to be the Vice Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Nursing Caucus. 

Congresswoman Kiggans has also supported numerous clean water initiatives on behalf of her Coastal district, such as H.R. 6095, the Department of Defense PFAS Discharge Prevention Act. Additionally, she has secured $3.5 million for water treatment plants, wastewater infrastructure, and water storage tanks to help maintain the health of residents and keep the environment clean by preserving water quality.

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