PC‐009: Integrated medical and case management dementia model

Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies

MemoryCare, in its 13th year of operation in Asheville, NC, is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to providing medical care to older adults with cognitive impairment inclusive of a case management component that provides support and education to their families and caregivers. With almost twenty percent of the population in western North Carolina over age 65 compared to thirteen percent in the rest of the state and country, the need for such a program came sooner than in many communities. This presentation is descriptive of our program and based on observational data on client characteristics, outcomes and satisfaction surveys from our program in 2012. Three physician and case manager teams coordinated diagnostic work-up, disease management, caregiver training, counseling and individualized support for 980 patients and 2927 caregivers enrolled at MemoryCare in 2012. They provided guidance and medical assistance in managing difficult behaviors and care needs specific to each family's circumstance, helped facilitate access to community resources, and counseled families regarding safety and end of life issues. Families received a written individualized care plan that was amended at each visit. Staff was available for information and support via phone and electronic communication. Ninety-seven percent of caregivers reported improved knowledge of memory disorders, 94% reported improved ability to manage dementia related behaviors, 84% reported improved ability to manage caregiver stress, 96% reported our caregiver support fee was reasonable, and 83% reported the program assisted them to keep their loved one in the home setting longer. MemoryCare has 13 years of solid experience delivering an integrated medical and case management model for persons with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia. Surveys reveal high levels of client satisfaction, improved caregiver ability to manage challenging aspects of dementia, and willingness to cost-share to receive these services. Our experience, as well as ongoing replication in other communities, supports the premise that such a program holds promise for improving dementia care services as we face a future of rapidly accelerating need for good models of care.

Key findings

• With almost twenty percent of the population in western North Carolina over age 65 compared to thirteen percent in the rest of the state and country, the need for such a program came sooner than in many communities.

Why it matters

This is a descriptive report of a nonprofit dementia care program that provided medical care, case management, and caregiver support, with most caregivers reporting improved knowledge of memory disorders. It describes a care model and does not test any treatment, cure, or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.

Study details

• Participants980
• Evidence strengthLow

Read the original

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2013.05.214
• Original source →

May need a subscription OpenAlex found no free copy of the full text (checked 6 Feb 1020), so the publisher may charge for it.

@article{noel2013-5812a664,
  author  = {Noel, Margaret A. and Templeton, Virginia H.},
  title   = {{PC‐009: Integrated medical and case management dementia model}},
  journal = {Alzheimer s \& Dementia},
  year    = {2013},
  doi     = {10.1016/j.jalz.2013.05.214},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2013.05.214}
}

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