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Information and resources for professionals

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Service providers

Explore the list of service providers to learn about their role in dementia care and find relevant resources.

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.

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Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) significantly impact those who live with the disease, and their care partners, and disproportionately impact rural communities and communities of color, making this a public health issue. Public health works by addressing health equity, risk reduction, early detection, and mitigating the negative impacts of ADRD on the lives of those with cognitive decline and their care partners.

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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.

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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.

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  • 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.  

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Community-based organizations (CBOs) provide support and services to people living with ADRD and their care partners in the community. CBOs facilitate community clinical linkages by aiding in the bidirectional relationship between health care providers and support and services their patients may need after a dementia diagnosis, improving equitable access to resources. They help bridge the gap between clinical care and supports, services, and resources in the community, including educational programs, support groups, respite care, and social activities that promote engagement and enhance the quality of life for people living with ADRD and care partners.

If your organization or you know of an organization that provides services or support for people living with dementia or their care partners, add the organization’s information to Mile High United Way’s 211 database.

Resources
  • Access the Dementia Friendly America Community Organization Practice Tool to learn how CBOs can support clients living with dementia.
  • Complete a new agency form to add your organization to Mile High United Way’s 211 database. 
  • Support our Community Education Partner (CEP) initiative! There are three options to engage in this opportunity:
    • Become a host
      • Host and invite your community to an educational opportunity. The ADRD Action Coalition (ADRDAC) and Alzheimer’s Association will provide the speaker. 
    • Become a CEP
      • Identify staff or volunteers who can be trained and taught to provide the ADRDAC and Alzheimer’s Association curriculum.
    • Spread the word
      • Utilize your communications channels and network to promote live Alzheimer’s Association webinars and trainings for on-demand education in addition to disseminating messaging and resources from the ADRDAC.
      • Interested in learning more? Email Monica Maly.
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Assuring to support populations disproportionately impacted by ADRD

American Indian/Alaskan Native, Black/African American, and Latinx/o/a/Hispanic/Chicano/a populations experience disproportionate impacts of dementia. These populations see the largest rates of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD), experience lower rates of diagnosis, may face discrimination when seeking health care for ADRD, and are projected to see the largest increases in ADRD. It’s important to intentionally address these disparities and provide culturally sensitive care. Read the Colorado ADRD State Plan to learn more about our assurances for priority populations.

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