MemoryCare: A community based dementia care model

Abstract

MemoryCare was founded as a community based non-profit charitable organization in 2000 to offer families an alternative to the traditional medical approach to dementia care. In a holistic, multi-disciplinary team approach, we incorporate caregiver education, counseling, and support into the evaluation and medical management of the patient. MemoryCare is designed to address the most common concerns of caregivers who interface with the medical system as advocates for a memory impaired loved one: the lack of recognition that a memory disorder is present and the lack of communication between medical provider and caregiver on how to best assist their loved one. With seventeen percent of our region's population over 65 years of age, we are ahead of much of the nation in the prevalence of individuals with memory disorders. Nationwide, 70% of those with memory impairment are cared for in their homes; at MemoryCare 85% of patients are cared for in the home setting by family members who need support and education in order to continue this care. Our goal is to enhance basic community services with a program that helps older adults and their families have the best possible quality of life in the face of a progressive memory disorder. With our physician and care manager teams, we provide excellent medical care for the individual with memory impairment and support and education services to their caregivers. The teams coordinate diagnostic work-up, disease management planning, caregiver training, counseling and support for each enrolled family. They also provide guidance and medical assistance in managing difficult behaviors. Our staff help coordinate available community resources, assist low income elderly in applying for medical assistance, and counsel families regarding end of life decision making. After the initial evaluation families receive a carefully written care plan that is amended over time as their loved one's disease progresses. They have full access to our resource library, workshops, and staff for educational materials. MemoryCare staff is devoted to providing community education on dementia, care giving, and aging related health issues. We teach professional health care providers on these topics as well. This presentation is descriptive of our program and based on an observational gathering of data on client characteristics, outcomes and satisfaction surveys from our program in 2010. In 2010, MemoryCare provided comprehensive services to 915 patients and 2673 caregivers. Our rural satellite clinic extends our outreach and our home visitation program includes over 120 families. Eighty-five percent of our patients are cared for in the home setting; one third are dependent in two or more basic activities of daily living. Our minority low income community screening program offered screenings at several community-based sites to 68 individuals. We provided dementia related education through our “Caregiver College” and other workshops to over 2500 health care professionals and community members. We maintain a peer education network of caregivers who provide support and mentoring for each other both in person and through electronic means of communication. MemoryCare's model of care has received prestigious awards from the public sector and high praise from its clientele. In our 2010 caregiver outcome survey, 95% of caregivers said their knowledge of memory disorders improved, 93% said their ability to manage their loved ones behavior improved, 70% reported a reduction in stress, 89% said they had benefitted from assistance accessing community resources, and 83% of those still living in a home setting said that MemoryCare services helped them remain at home longer thus saving themselves and the government the cost of placement. MemoryCare's model successfully addresses the common complaints regarding dementia care in the U.S.: rushed practitioners not following established practice guidelines,