HEALTHCARE CONNECTIONS

Doctors looking at X-RaysQuality care for Alzheimer’s begins with detecting and then diagnosing the disease. A delayed or missed diagnosis deprives affected individuals and their families of care and support services that may be beneficial.

Unfortunately, up to 50 percent of people satisfying the diagnostic criteria for dementia do not have the condition noted in their medical record. Reasons for underdetection and lack of diagnosis can include insufficient physician time and reimbursement for diagnostic evaluations, a physician’s perception that there is no value in diagnosis, and concerns about possible stigma association with the disease.

Early detection and diagnosis has many potential benefits for the diagnosed individual and others affected.
Coordinating care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias can be particularly challenging. Individuals with Alzheimer’s often have one or more other chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. As a result, care coordination — effective communication among medical and community care providers, and the connection of affected individuals with the services they need — is crucial to providing better medical care and increasing the opportunity to remain at home.

  • Helps reduce anxiety on the part of the affected person and his or her family about the cause of symptoms
  • Allows for the person with the disease to partake in planning for the future
  • Allows physicians and caregivers to be aware of patients who may have difficulty managing their own health care, such as when and how to take other prescription medications
  • Allows potential manage¬ment of symptoms with medication or other interventions that maintain the best possible level of health and functioning for the person with the disease
  • Allows for coordination of primary and specialty care which may help prevent prescription of medications for coexisting conditions that worsen cognitive function
  • Aids the management of possible behavioral symptoms for the benefit of both the person with the disease and their caregiver
  • Allows caregivers and family members to access training, education and support services to help them with caregiver tasks and reduce negative effects of caregiving, such as stress and depression

Learn more about the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act

Find resources to support you and your loved ones affected by Alzheimer’s