Toward Gerineuropalliative Care for Patients with Dementia

Summary: This article discusses the impact of Alzheimer's disease on public health, including its prevalence and incidence, mortality and morbidity, care usage and costs, and the effects on family caregivers, the dementia workforce, and society. It highlights the patient journey and potential treatment options for Alzheimer's disease. Currently, there are 6.7 million older Americans living with Alzheimer's dementia, a number that could increase to 13.8 million by 2060 without medical breakthroughs. Alzheimer's is the sixth-leading cause of death in the US, with deaths increasing by over 145% between 2000 and 2019. There is a decline in the number of caregivers and an increase in care provided by each remaining caregiver. The costs of unpaid caregiving in 2022 reached $339.5 billion, impacting caregivers' mental and physical health. Additionally, there is a shortage of healthcare workers in dementia care, and Medicare and Medicaid payments are significantly higher for individuals with dementia. The article also explores the need for sufficient physician specialists in Alzheimer's care, considering the availability of drugs that change the underlying biology of the disease.

Summary: Dementia specialty centers in the United States have the potential to develop innovative and holistic care in care systems otherwise divided by discipline or payer. However, current support systems are insufficient to address the challenges faced by dementia patients and care partners. These challenges include disease-related distress, social and relational challenges, and clinical care fragmentation. The findings of this study can inform the development of novel interventions to improve dementia care.