Page 58 - Healthy Brain Initiative, State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia: The 2018-2023 Road Map

NEW YORK

Using Data to Expand Caregiver Services

Since the 1980s, the New York State Department » Ten regional contractors, covering every county
of Health (NYSDOH) has supported people with in the state, are funded at $1.5 million per year to
Alzheimer’s and other dementias and their caregivers. deliver a wide range of supportive services that
NYSDOH developed strong partnerships with many promote the mental and physical well-being of
organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association, caregivers. Services include support groups, care
healthcare organizations, and researchers across consultation, family consultation, respite care, and
New York State. These partnerships—bolstered by education and wellness programs for caregivers.
solid data documenting the impact of evidenced-
based support models and state surveillance data » A statewide contractor coordinates caregiver
on caregiving and cognitive impairment—enabled an support, community education and partnerships
unprecedented expansion of caregiver and clinical with related organizations with $5 million per year.
supports throughout the state. The first year of ADCSI enabled organizational

To help keep people living with dementia in the capacity-building, including scaling up infrastructure,
community longer and reduce caregiver stress, training, and hiring staff. Medical and service
NYSDOH proposed an initiative to expand dementia- providers reported a growing awareness and
related services statewide. With bipartisan legislative demand for services as they expanded outreach
approval, the resulting NYSDOH Alzheimer’s Disease activities. Almost all providers reported forming new
Caregiver Support Initiative (ADSCI) is grounded in partnerships, suggesting enhanced coordination
an effective model program developed by New York between organizations and a strengthened network of
University (NYU) and others. Funded at $25 million providers. In the first year, community support services
annually, ADSCI promotes early diagnosis and has for people with dementia and their caregivers reached
protocol for providing education, care consultation, and approximately 13,000 individuals and families; once
a plan for medical and social services to persons living the infrastructure reaches maturity, it will serve many
with Alzheimer’s and the caregiver, thereby helping more New Yorkers. The program evaluation for year
facilitate clinical-community linkages. Components 1 revealed barriers to expansion including home
include: health aide workforce shortages and a lack of respite
providers, particularly in rural areas. In addition, over
» Ten teaching hospitals across the state are one third of providers experienced challenges hiring
funded at $500,000 each year for five years for and retaining community support staff with experience
early detection, education of professionals, and in dementia. •
consultation for primary care providers when they
need help with clinical decisions.
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