One in ten of the people 65+ is likely to have Alzheimer’s. The impacts are also spread more broadly to families, communities, and provider systems.
Dementia is a syndrome that is increasing on a global scale. According to the World Health Organization, around 50 million people worldwide have dementia and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that in the United States alone there are over 6 million people living with the most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and this number is projected to increase to 12.7 million by 2050.
Provide support to people experiencing dementia
Provide support and make referrals to individuals experiencing dementia. Make referrals for memory screening, medical diagnosis, and support groups.
Provide support to caregivers
Provide support to caregivers of people with dementia of all levels, including consultation, options counseling, care planning, and appropriate referrals.
Dementia Education
Provide information about dementia and resources to families and the community to recognize signs of dementia, enhance communication, connect with local supports, and reduce stigma.
Star-C
The STAR-C program was designed by the University of Washington to help family caregivers who are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Several weekly individual sessions with a coach help the caregiver to decrease problem behaviors in the person with dementia and to address their own responses.
Advance Care Planning + Dementia
Provide community presentations that highlight advance care planning documents relevant to people who are concerned about memory loss, including Medical Directives and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.
Legal Clinic
Provide answers to common legal questions for people who are concerned about memory loss.
Culturally tailored dementia supports
- Provide education and support to indigenous people and non-native English speakers.
- Offer materials in Spanish, Russian, and Punjabi languages.
- Host group education opportunities in those communities.
Increase opportunities for people with early dementia and their caregivers to socialize and engage in the community. Activities may include walking groups, support groups, memory café, and improv groups.