Page 24 - Healthy Brain Initiative, State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia: The 2018-2023 Road Map

Outcome: The challenges facing people with dementia and their
INFORMED PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA
AND CAREGIVERS
E-5 Provide information and tools to help people
with dementia and caregivers anticipate,
avert, and respond to challenges that
typically arise during the course
of dementia.
E-6 Strengthen knowledge about, and greater
use of, care planning and related tools for
people in all stages of dementia.
E-7 Improve access to and use of evidence-
informed interventions, services, and
supports for people with dementia and their
caregivers to enhance their health,
well-being, and independence.
Efforts in Washington and Puerto Rico
increased dementia awareness among
traditionally underserved populations.
Learn more on pages 45–46.
18 Healthy Brain Initiative State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia: The 2018–2023 Road Map
caregivers can be daunting. Public health can help
raise awareness about these challenges and the need
to improve quality of life, safety, and well-being among
people with dementia and their caregivers.
Public health can also facilitate access to affordable,
evidence-informed services, programs, interventions,
and supports to reduce stress and improve coping,
self-efficacy, and overall health. Well-designed
programs have been shown to benefit persons with
dementia and caregivers, and should be readily
accessible. Similarly, reliable information and tools that
feature best practices should be widely distributed.
Access to these programs and tools is particularly
crucial for people with dementia who live alone.
Caregivers would benefit from compelling and easy-
to-use content about how to enhance their own health
while caring for their loved ones. Some of the many
resources that public health can help expand, promote,
or tailor to specific populations include:
» Community-based programs for physical activity,
chronic disease self-care, and caregiver education;
» Peer support groups and social gatherings for
people affected by dementia;
» Online support and information resource centers;
» Apps for caregivers and persons living with
dementia and GPS tracking devices;