Across the world, more than 55 million people are living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. These numbers are expected to grow to 76 million by 2030. Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and as we observe Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June, it’s important to support those who are impacted and raise awareness throughout our community.

Alzheimer’s is the only leading cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed. Therefore, it is important to spread awareness, support those who are impacted, and reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Behavioral health program highlight: Programa de coordenação de cuidados da demência

The Dementia Care Coordination Program is an evidence-informed intervention based on a VA demonstration study that showed improved outcomes and decreased utilization. The program is administered in partnership between the Alzheimer’s Association and a health system. The program is designed to assist caregivers in managing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.  

The Dementia Care Coordination Program is a referral-based program. Referrals are typically initiated by the health system’s care managers. The care manager and/or other identified referral source makes a secure referral to the Alzheimer’s Association via fax, email, or a HIPAA-compliant online form. At the Alzheimer’s Association, a master’s level social worker (a memory specialist) makes a proactive call to the family caregiver to schedule a care consultation within 5-7 days from the referral date. The consultation is personalized and usually an hour long followed by a written care plan sent to the caregiver and a summary of the care plan sent to the referrer. The program is focused on providing the caregiver with strategies and resources to increase their chance of success in caring for their loved one. The full program lasts for approximately six months. A total of three calls are made to the caregiver during the six-month timeframe to assess progress and provide resources as needed.

 As part of the program, the heath system has access to a full range of programs and services, opportunity for co-branding and marketing, family and caregiver education programs by chapter staff, professional education sessions, and customer service training for non-clinical staff. The caregiver also has access to the 24-hour Alzheimer’s Association crisis line and online resources.

Additionally, the Alzheimer’s Association will share outcome and utilization data from the program with the health system as it relates to the caregiver’s program satisfaction, clinician satisfaction, and self-reported caregiver efficacy with caring for the individual with Alzheimer’s/dementia following program engagement.

For more information, please contact Hannah Wickstrom at hannah.wickstrom@bcbsri.org.

You can find the Alzheimer Associations referral form here.