Using a public health framework to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), the Idaho ADRD Program encourages providers to consider and promote efforts that address primary, secondary, and tertiary risk reduction of ADRD.
As recipients of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) BOLD funding, Idaho and you, as a provider, have access to three national centers of excellence. The centers provide research, resources, collaborative opportunities, and support to Idaho. Those centers are BOLD Center of Excellence for Dementia Caregiving, BOLD Center of Excellence for Early Detection of Dementia, and BOLD Center of Excellence for Dementia Risk Reduction. If you are interested in any of these opportunities or would like to get connected, please contact the Idaho ADRD Program (ADRD@dhw.idaho.gov).
Tertiary Level of Risk Reduction
The tertiary level of risk reduction aims to reduce the impact of ADRD by minimizing the need for a crisis response and improving quality of life. At the tertiary level, a provider does not just have one patient, but two patients: the person with the diagnosis (primary patient) and their informal (family) caregiver. Supporting both is crucial to the care of the primary patient.
According to 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data, caregivers (people who provided regular care for someone with a disability or a health problem) reported:
- 30.8% were ever diagnosed with depression,
- 12.8% reported 14 or more days of poor physical health, and
- 57.3% were ever diagnosed with a chronic health condition (arthritis, asthma, lower respiratory, cancer, heart disease, and/or diabetes).
Healthcare providers can provide a variety of resources for both the primary patient and the informal caregiver.
ADRD Provider Resources
Primary Patient Provider Resources
- Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Resources for Professionals: Get tools and training for your practice. Access free clinical practice tools, training materials, and more resources for physicians, nurses, social workers, and other professionals.
- Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Dementia: The National Library of Medicine published Clinical Practice Guidelines for Management of Dementia to provide broad framework for assessment, management, and follow-up of older people with dementia.
- Guidelines for the Evaluation of Dementia and Age-Related Cognitive: The American Psychological Association presents these guidelines regarding ethical considerations, competence, and evaluations of dementia.
- Health Systems and Medical Professionals Guidelines Index: The Alzheimer's Association shares clinical guidelines, including diagnostic criteria, for assisting patients with dementia.
- Special Report – The Patient Journey in An Era of New Treatments: Better Alzheimer’s disease care requires conversations about memory at the earliest point of concern and a knowledgeable, accessible care team that includes physician specialists to diagnose, monitor disease progression and treat when appropriate. This is especially true now, in an era when treatments that change the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s are available.
- Talking With Your Older Patients: Doctor-patient communication is an essential, though sometimes challenging, aspect of the health care process. This website provides suggestions that can help you work with older patients to optimize care and make the most of your time and resources.
- Talking With Your Patients About Alzheimer's and Related Dementias Clinical Trials: As a health care provider, you are an important bridge between patients and studies that can help scientists determine new ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, or treat diseases. Follow these tips for discussing clinical research with your patients and for finding Alzheimer’s and related dementias clinical research opportunities.
Informal (Family) Caregiver Provider Resources
- Family Caregiver Navigator Program: For Professionals and Providers: Family Caregiver Navigator is an options-counseling service focused exclusively on the health and wellness of Idaho caregivers - not the person who is receiving care. Learn more about this Idaho program and how to make referrals by visiting the website.
- How Providers Address Caregiver Needs & Helping Caregivers: The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) Health Workforce has training materials to help providers address caregiver needs. Modules providers may consider reviewing include:
- How Providers Address Caregiver Needs: Module 3 & 4
- Helping Caregivers: Caregiving Modules 1-5
- Understanding the Needs of Caregivers of Persons with Dementia: A Scoping Review: This review identified the needs of caregivers of persons with dementia. Caregivers' personal health emerged as a key area of need, while provision of information was identified as a key area of support.
- Unmet Needs of Caregivers of Patients Referred to a Dementia Care Program: Cross-sectional observational cohort study of caregivers of community-dwelling adults with dementia referred to a program. Most caregivers perceived inadequate support from the patient’s provider in managing dementia-related problems, reported strain, and had low confidence in managing caregiving.
Resources to Share with Primary Patient and Informal Caregiver
Primary Patient Resources
- Alzheimer’s Association: The Alzheimer's Association has free literature on all-things dementia available in English and Spanish, 24/7 phone support (in a caller’s preferred language through a translation service), the latest information on brain health, available medications for people with dementia, support groups, trainings, and care consultation to help with decision-making.
- Greater Idaho Chapter call 208-206-0041
- Washington State Chapter (serves North Idaho) call 800-272-3900
- Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs): Refer patients to their local AAA. They are trusted sources of information and assistance, where older adults can turn to find specialized information, supports, and service options in their area. Visit their website or call 208-334-3833 to find your local office and more information.
- Downloadable Resources for Patients with ADRD: Educate and connect patients to the Alzheimer's Association. These PDF resources can be printed or emailed directly to those affected by Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. Some resources are also available in Spanish.
- Next Steps After an Alzheimer's Diagnosis Checklist: A diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease can be difficult, but getting accurate information and support can help the patient know what to expect and what to do next. Share this Checklist developed by the National Institute of Health's National Institute on Aging with your patients.
- Tips for Living Alone with Early-Stage Dementia: If your patient has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal disorder, or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and lives alone, these tips offer ways to help patients cope with changes in memory and thinking, prepare for the future, and stay active.
Informal (Family) Caregiver Resources
- Alzheimer’s Association: The Alzheimer's Association has free literature on all-things dementia available in English and Spanish, 24/7 phone support (in a caller’s preferred language through a translation service), the latest information on brain health, available medications for people with dementia, support groups, trainings, and care consultation to help with decision-making.
- Greater Idaho Chapter call 208-206-0041
- Washington State Chapter (serves North Idaho) call 800-272-3900
- Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs): Refer caregivers to their local AAA. They offer family caregiver support programs that assist family members as they are helping a care recipient with dementia or other conditions. Visit the Idaho Commission on Aging's website or call 208-334-3833 to find your local office and more information.
- Community Care Program: A new statewide program providing case management services to family caregivers of people with dementia.
- Downloadable Resources for Caregivers: Educate and connect patients to the Alzheimer's Association. These PDF resources can be printed or emailed directly to those affected by Alzheimer's disease or other dementias. Some resources are also available in Spanish.
- Family Caregiver Navigator: A 2-year pilot project that offers support and resource referral to unpaid caregivers of Southwest Idaho who range across the lifespan. While any Caregiver can self-refer and make contact with the Navigator, trusted community professionals play a critical role in referring Caregivers to the service in order to encourage uptake.
- Resources for Caregivers of People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: When a family member or loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, you may find yourself left with more questions than answers. These diseases change the way a person thinks and acts, and can be very challenging, especially for those in a caretaking role. Learning more about these diseases, what to expect, and what you can do can make a difference in a caregiver’s health and well-being — and the well-being of the person you’re caring for.