Across the country, nearly 7 million adults live with Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia. A recent study estimates that the number of Americans developing dementia is expected to double to one million annually over the next 35 years. The Alzheimer’s Association predicts the health and long-term costs for people living with dementia will approach $1 trillion by 2050.
Increasing financial costs are not the only burden on families and our healthcare system. Stigma based on stereotypes and misinformation about dementia can deter people from seeking a diagnosis and hinder others from helping them. Misconceptions include the belief that early symptoms of dementia are simply a sign of old age or the view that people living with dementia are incapable of expressing preferences or making decisions.
Individuals with known or suspected dementia face complicated challenges when seeking the right long-term care services and supports provided at the right time and offered in the right setting. These challenges include timely and accurate diagnoses and access to appropriate resources and the necessary care.
The importance of clinical assessments
States must balance the deeply personal nature of a dementia diagnosis with the systemic demands of delivering the necessary level of care. Assessments guided by the right clinical criteria are important for determining a diagnosis and the appropriate services and supports. Clinical assessors help identify individuals at a specific stage of progression and determine when community-based resources are appropriate and institutional care is necessary. Accurate, quality assessments are important because states must provide services to individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting for their needs.
While assessments can help states address the social and structural stigma surrounding dementia, the stigma people experience may prevent them from seeking a diagnosis, participating in an assessment, or obtaining care. A person-centered approach can help break this pattern.
A person-centered process
A person-centered assessment process accounts for people’s unique needs and priorities while intentionally addressing barriers. When the process also prioritizes both comprehensive clinical processes and stigma reduction, it benefits individuals living with dementia, the people caring for them, and states planning for community and facility-based services. A well-designed process includes:
- Assessor training: Assessors with dementia-specific training use assessment tools that consider the full spectrum of a person’s needs and abilities, resulting in more personalized care plans and outcomes that reflect the individual’s needs and priorities.
- Technology and data analytics: Leveraging these tools to streamline workflows, continuously review data, and provide analysis informs states’ decision-making around resource allocation.
- Education to reduce stigma: Equipping individuals, families, and caregivers with knowledge combats structural stigma and helps ensure individuals receive care based on their unique needs rather than misconceptions.
Incorporating these elements enhances the quality of the clinical assessment and improves care accessibility, ensuring people with dementia receive the right level of support at the right time.