The Archstone Foundation has awarded $595,192 to the Alzheimer’s Association over three years to increase access to early and accurate dementia diagnosis and enhance the quality of care in primary care settings.
By ONME Newswire
This month the Archstone Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Association announced the Foundation will provide $595,192 in funding toward the Association’s Health Systems Initiative, a strategy utilized by the Association to promote early and accurate dementia diagnoses and improve care planning. The initiative seeks to improve the health and well-being of older Californians and their caregivers through the integration of health and social services at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The funding also supports the reduction of racial, ethnic, and geographic disparities when it comes to dementia diagnostics and care.
"It’s well documented that dementia impacts diverse communities disproportionately and that timely, accurate diagnosis is much needed,” said Christopher A. Langston, Archstone Foundation President and CEO. “We are proud to support the Alzheimer's Association's work to ensure that these populations receive high quality dementia assessment and care. This work will emphasize the screening tools and assessments that can be incorporated within care teams, and linkages to resources in the community for caregivers, which is aligned with the Foundation’s work in improving team-based models of care.”
In California, more than 690,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, and more than 1.1 million of their family members and friends are providing them with unpaid care valued at more than $18.9 billion per year. By 2025, more than 840,000 Californians are expected to be living with dementia.
Since 2019, the Health Systems Initiative has resulted in health systems, clinicians, and health care payers committing to making changes related to dementia diagnosis and care planning. A recent survey found nearly 9 in 10 primary care physicians expect to see an increase in people living with dementia during the next five years, and half say the medical profession is not prepared to meet this demand.
“The vision for this project is for all health systems throughout the state to be ‘dementia-capable,’” said Elizabeth Edgerly, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter Executive Director. “We want all Californians to have access to care providers who are able to diagnose dementia early and accurately. Through the Archstone Foundation’s generous support, we will work toward equal access to quality care and support for people living with Alzheimer’s and all other dementias.”
Studies show that timely detection, accurate diagnosis, and proper management of dementia can improve health outcomes and reduce costs, but Alzheimer’s disease is severely underdiagnosed and under-disclosed especially in communities of color. Moreover, there is a shortage of geriatric health care professionals, and the U.S. would have to triple the number of geriatricians practicing in 2019 to effectively care for those 65 and older who are projected to have Alzheimer's dementia in 2050.
Through this grant, the Alzheimer’s Association will work with California health systems to:
Improve health outcomes. The Association is facilitating timely and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, improving care management, and preventing complications among older adults with comorbid conditions.
Enhance the clinical experience for people living with dementia and their caregivers. By improving communication that provides educated answers and well-planned next steps, individuals and their families can access care services, make future financial plans, and participate in clinical trials.
Support clinicians. Clinicians are empowered with training, resources, and support for delivering a difficult diagnosis and providing follow-up care through an interdisciplinary approach that optimizes the roles of the clinician and other members of the health care team.
Manage cost of care more effectively. By working with health systems, clinicians, and health care payers to enhance disease management, they can prevent or reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency department visits. For more information on the Alzheimer’s Association Health Systems Initiative, call 800-272-3900. For more information about Archstone Foundation, contact Jasmine Lacsamana, jlacsamana@archstone.org. About Archstone Foundation Archstone Foundation is a private grantmaking organization committed to improving the health and well-being of older Californians and their caregivers. Since its inception in 1985, the Foundation has awarded nearly 1,200 grants, with a total value of more than $125 million. www.archstone.org About the Alzheimer’s Association ® The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia ®. For more information, visit alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.