Preventing Caregiver Burnout Is Critical

Supported and empowered caregivers make a difference

Caregiver focused legislative actions underscore the need to better support those asked to fulfill this difficult role. Taking care of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease Related Dementias (ADRD) poses unique challenges

• 48% of all caregivers care for someone with ADRD1

• Nearly 60% report their emotional stress as high or very high2

• One in three report their health worsened due to care responsibilities3

Individuals with ADRD require intense levels of caregiving and their caregivers play a large role in health care decisions. Due to a lack of support caregivers often become overwhelmed and seek expensive medical care that’s unnecessary.

Emerging dementia care management programs can ease these challenges, improve quality of care and reduce costs. Individuals secure more timely and appropriate levels of care through innovative models that empower caregivers.

New care models facilitate meaningful connections and reach caregivers through a multi-component approach. Dementia care teams, that include registered nurses and social workers, relieve caregiver stress by resolving immediate concerns through calls, texts, and emails.

The University of California, San Francisco’s (UCSF) dementia care program developed at their Memory and Aging Centers is a great example. GLENNERCARETM introduced by The George G. Glenner Alzheimer’s Family Centers delivers highly effective dementia care through a virtual service model.

These types of programs deliver:

1. Improved dementia patient well-being

2. Decreased levels of caregiver depression

3. Reduced caregiver burden

4. Decreased number of emergency department visits

5. Fewer unnecessary hospital admissions and re-admissions

VirtuALZ embraced the innovative methods and principles that originated in these programs when creating a new value-based caregiver support program.

References:

1,2 Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures

3 National Association for Caregiving

Note: The VirtuALZ blog (FYI) is strictly a news and information website about Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias and life over 60. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The VirtuALZ Blog (FYI) is intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Alzheimer’s disease.