Joined: 7/24/2015
Posts: 3020
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http://act.alz.org/site/DocServer/Care_Planning_for_People_with_Cognitive_Impairment.pdf?docID=52585
Most people who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are not aware of their diagnosis.
•Only about half of those with Alzheimer’s have been diagnosed.
•Among those seniors who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, only 33 percent are aware they have the disease.
•Even when including caregivers, 45 percent – less than half – of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or their caregivers are aware of their diagnosis. For other dementias, the disclosure rate is even lower: only 27 percent.
•Comparatively, 90 percent or more of those diagnosed with cancer or cardiovascular disease, or their caregivers, are aware of the diagnosis.
A diagnosis – and disclosure of that diagnosis – is necessary before care planning can occur, which is crucial in improving outcomes for the individual.
• Care planning allows newly-diagnosed individuals and their caregivers to learn about medical and non-medical treatments, clinical trials, and support services available in the community – resulting in a higher quality of life for those with the disease.
• Individuals receiving care planning specifically geared toward those with dementia have fewer hospitalizations, fewer emergency room visits, and better medication management.
• Alzheimer’s complicates the management of other chronic conditions. Care planning is key to care coordination and managing those other conditions.
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