Alzheimer’s disease and age-related dementia are rising among the elderly, and they require specialist care. To enhance their quality of life, various care services are required because these illnesses impair memory and cognitive function. Numerous specialist dementia care organizations provide high-quality treatment due to recent advancements in medical care. This article discusses specialized dementia care models for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help you enhance your golden years.
Palliative care
According to the World Health Organization, Palliative care is a care service that provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms. They prepare the person for death by integrating psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care to make them enjoy life as much as possible before death. It also works as a support system for the family to cope with the patient’s illness and in their bereavement by offering bereavement counselling, which can enhance their quality of life.
According to the World Health Organization, every person has the right to palliative care if the person has a progressive illness. According to a systematic review of policy formulations concerning to palliative care approach in dementia care, these 4 areas are identified as important:
1. The WHO definition of palliative care has much in common with fundamental principles of dementia care, making the need for care more person-centric and relationship-focused, while involving family and carers needs to be managed.
2. The palliative care approach acknowledges that dementia is a life-limiting illness, which, if adopted early, may help to promote advanced care planning.
3. Palliative care is more focused on encouraging management of complex physical comorbidity in advanced dementia, avoiding burdensome or futile clinical investigations and interventions, and unnecessary and distressing transitions in the care system.
4. It also secures people with dementia to get better access to the expertise of specialist palliative care services to address complex ethical dilemmas and manage physical complications and distress of reaching the end of life.
The GUIDE Model
This model focuses on comprehensive, coordinated dementia care with the aim of improving quality of life for people with dementia, lowering strain on their unpaid caregivers, and allowing people with dementia to remain in their homes and communities. It helps to achieve these goals with Medicare payments for a comprehensive package of care coordination and care management, caregiver education and support, and respite services. GUIDE is an innovative new health care payment and service delivery model that focuses on dementia care, including family caregiver support, such as respite care. The key goals of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease were established by the bipartisan National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) and have, for over a decade, accelerated federal actions to optimize the quality of care for people with dementia and their caregivers while advancing research to look for a cure. This model builds extensive coordination within HHS and major input from various external stakeholders.
This model offers particularly good predictions:
Dementia affects more than 6.7 million Americans in 2023, with the rise to 14 million cases by 2060. People with dementia may have multiple chronic conditions and receive fragmented care, leading to high rates of hospitalization and emergency department visits. They may have behavioral health symptoms and often need 24/7 care. These challenges of managing health care, providing constant support, and dealing with the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia show a significant mental, physical, emotional, and financial burden for caregivers.
This model will set a standard approach to care, including 24/7 access to a support line, along with caregiver training, education, and support services. This standard approach will allow people with dementia to remain safely in their homes for longer periods without nursing home placement, improving quality of life for both people with dementia and their unpaid caregivers.
The role of primary care in the dementia healthcare system
Primary care physicians play a crucial role in the dementia healthcare system because, from detection to continuity of care, they offer medical support and tailor treatment plans for proper condition management. Here are the main roles of primary care physicians in the dementia healthcare system:
1. Detection and diagnosis: Primary care physicians are the ones who detect your mental health problem by performing a diagnosis and assessing your symptoms. After completing the diagnosis, they know what condition you have (and how advanced) and how to tailor your care plan.
2. Early post-diagnostic care and support: After diagnosis, early care, treatment, and support plans are made by discussing them with you. It involves medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes to improve your condition and lower the risk of complications as much as possible.
3. Continuing care: As dementia is a progressive condition, primary care physicians offer regular check-ins and follow-up appointments to offer continuous monitoring for your symptoms and condition progress, along with your treatment to improve your quality of life.
With the evolution of Alzheimer’s and dementia care, many care services have evolved, and new services have come forward to ensure a better quality of life till death for dementia patients. Different specialized dementia care facilities ensure that dementia patients, unpaid caregivers, and close family members get the best care services that help them enjoy life till the patient passes on and help in the bereavement process.
Need help with dementia care? Consult our behavioral clinic specialists for personalized care plans for specific Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Call us to book your appointment now! Consult with our home care services to get a reliable companion care provider for your loved one, who ensures they get the best quality of care and companionship to live a peaceful, happy life. If you want to know more about adult day care services, the professionals at HouseCalls Home Care offer excellent resources for learning more about how to care for your aging loved ones. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help you enhance your golden years. Feel free to call HouseCalls Home Care at 718-922-9200 if you or a loved one requires compassionate and competent in-home care services. Our goal is to help you find the best support for your needs. You can also send an email to us at info@housecallshc.org for more information.