Information and resources for professionals

Primary Care Providers (PCPs) are often the first point of contact for individuals with memory concerns, and play a pivotal role in diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD) and/or recommending lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk of dementia. PCPs also provide the majority of health care for individuals living with dementia, and provide care for people who serve as care partners for someone living with dementia. Comorbidities in people living with ADRD contribute to the high rates of hospitalizations and emergency department visits. Ninety-five percent of people living with ADRD have one or more chronic conditions, and it’s important to manage their chronic conditions with the ADRD diagnosis in mind. Additionally, it is important for PCPs to help patients manage chronic conditions across the lifespan to decrease their risk of dementia later in life.

Resources
 

• Learn how primary care can address ADRD in a free interactive eLearning module designed for primary care teams. The Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias in Primary Care: Addressing Risk Factors, Early Diagnosis, and Care Planning eLearning Module Learning Opportunity (Registration code: ADRD) provides individuals who complete the course with 2 AAFP CME credits.
• Cognition in Primary Care is the University of Washington’s adaptation of the KAER toolkit. This program aids in detecting cognitive impairment in primary care settings and improves care for individuals living with dementia.
• The GSA KAER Toolkit provides guidance for primary care providers to detect and diagnose dementia.
• The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors has created a series of English- and Spanish-language rack cards for health care providers to offer to patients with chronic disease risk reduction messages that promote brain health. Access the Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain brochure and Healthy Food, Healthy Brain brochure adapted for American Indians/Alaska Natives.
• The free national database Best Programs for Caregiving provides evidence-based dementia care programs for care partners.
• Find services and supports for patients living with ADRD at Mile High United Way. (coming soon)

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) is the most costly chronic condition to manage. It severely impacts the physical, emotional, and financial health of those experiencing cognitive decline and their care partners. It also has a wider impact, requiring our public health care programs (Medicare and Medicaid) to utilize an increasing amount of resources to care for Coloradans living with it. Understanding these impacts can help policymakers support policies that will improve the lives of those touched by ADRD, support their care partners, and ensure our health care system can provide for their needs.

Resources

• The Alzheimer's Association's Colorado Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures (PDF)
• Contact us to request a presentation or view a past recording of Briefing for Policy Makers to Learn More About the Colorado ADRD State Plan.
  • Use passcode ywg8$5!k

First responders will often encounter people living with dementia. It’s important to be able to identify signs of dementia and understand how to best approach someone living with dementia.

Resources

• The First Responders training program from the Alzheimer’s Association is a free, online training that will help prepare you to respond to common calls involving a person living with dementia.

Health systems play a pivotal role in addressing ADRD by providing access to early detection and diagnosis, care planning, and making connections to support and services after a diagnosis. They provide essential infrastructure and expertise for the accurate detection and diagnosis of dementia. Health systems aid in the development of community-clinical linkages, ensuring bidirectional referrals between their health care providers and community-based organizations after an individual receives an ADRD diagnosis. Health systems also play a role in providing care and support to care partners, ensuring their mental and physical health is addressed while they are caring for their loved one with ADRD.

The impact of ADRD on health systems is multifaceted. The Colorado ADRD State Plan has the goal to decrease the rates of emergency room visits and hospitalizations related to ADRD. To aid in this, health systems should become age-friendly, which provides evidence-based, high-quality care for older adults. This framework focuses on the 4 Ms: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility. Additionally, health systems play a role in ensuring health care providers are adequately trained on how to diagnose ADRD, discuss risk reduction, engage in care planning, and connect patients to support and services through establishing training protocols and educational opportunities focused on ADRD.  

Resources

• Find out more about the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative and how your health system can provide high-quality care for older adult patients. 
• Join the Colorado Age-Friendly Health Systems (AFHS) Coalition and help promote and support the adoption of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s (IHI) AFHS framework, concepts, and components as the standard practice of care across all Colorado health care settings.
• Interested in promoting early detection of dementia, establishing supportive services, and becoming more aware of dementia? Review the BOLD Early Detection Health System Provider Toolkit.
• Find dementia care programs for care partners at Best Programs for Caregiving. 
• The Dementia Caregiver Roadmap from Dell Medical School is available for health systems interested in implementing support for care partners.
• The Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative provides a blueprint for health systems interested in developing an early detection program for cognitive impairmentLearn about Dementia Care Navigators and their role in improving care and outcomes for people living with dementia.