An article in Popular Science published March 1, 2023, entitled Dementia care programs are not just for the patient: Medical care for people with Alzheimer’s is widely acknowledged to be fragmented and incomplete, discusses various barriers to public health. The article discusses the importance of “comprehensive dementia care,” which includes “coaches or navigators who help assess patients’ and caregivers’ needs, develop individualized care plans, connect families to community resources, coordinate medical and social services, and offer ongoing practical and emotional support.” The article states “Over the past decade, a growing body of research has shown these programs improve the quality of life for people with dementia; alleviate troublesome symptoms; help avoid unnecessary emergency room visits or hospitalizations; and delay nursing home placement, while also reducing depression symptoms, physical and emotional strain, and overall stress for caregivers.”
The need for these navigators was addressed in one of our stories as was the challenges with caregiving for this mother and for another mother. Navigators such as these, help to overcome the barrier when patients and the public need support in the area of Medical Literacy.
HEALTH CONVERSATIONS: When Aware We Care 