Elements

Dementia Care Elements: co-ordinated care + early detection and diagnosis = peace of mind

Affinity Expert - Expert information on Dementia Care Program

Peace of Mind

Dementia is a disease that causes problems with memory and thinking, and eventually decline in the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), and ultimately the inability to live independently. Alzheimer's disease is only one type of dementia, but the most common form (up to 70% of all dementias contributed to Alzheimer’s disease).

Alzheimer's disease is progressive and incurable disease that typically afflicts older adults but can also begin at an earlier or later. Alzheimer’s disease is the 5th leading cause of death for people 65 and older. Nearly 6 million people have Alzheimer’s disease at an annual cost of $291 billion. The number of Alzheimer’s disease cases is expected to more than double to 14 million by 2050.

Why Early Detection and Diagnosis?

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Alzheimer’s disease has no cure and no treatment that STOPs reverse the disease, however with early detection, one can start on medications that can slow its progression. And it is likely that treatment will be most effective at the earlier, pre-symptomatic stage.

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Individuals with a cognitive impairment due to a treatable condition (not due to Alzheimer’s) can receive appropriate treatments.

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It can be a relief to understand what is going on, for the individual with Alzheimer's and the family, and can provide time to plan for future care.

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It may allow preventive steps for brain health that could potentially delay some symptoms.

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Those who are diagnosed will receive more rapid access to innovative treatments that may soon enter the market. They can also join a clinical trial registry or participate in a clinical trial.

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Patients who are only mildly impaired may be adept at covering up their cognitive deficits and reluctant to address the problem.

Dementia Care Coordination - deliberately organizing patient care activities and sharing information among all of the care team and the patient.

Undiagnosed dementia accounts for many unnecessary trips to the emergency departments, hospitalizations, prolonged stay in rehabs and long-term care facilities. Older adults with symptoms of dementia without formal diagnoses were nearly twice as likely to take on activities that could put them in danger when compared to seniors who had received a formal diagnosis. I know from experience owning a residential service agency and as a dementia educator; a well developed training for the RSA employees who deal with people with cognitive decline will make a huge difference. It will help more patients be referred for neurocognitive evaluation by a provider, and for them to receive vital treatment and resources following their screening.

About Dementia Care Program

As a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner and a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Dr. Koyfman is qualified and trained to help people identify cognitive decline. She is passionate about early detection, because she has seen many people died prematurely due to lack of recognition of dementia.
Dr. Koyfman is a dementia care specialist. She attended extensive dementia training via Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) and UCLA Dementia Care Specialist curriculum. Dr. Koyfman is seeing patients in their homes in Baltimore County, where she can provide neurocognitive assessments, behavioral screenings, perform a risk assessment, physical exam, and observe home, medications, and functional ability.