Free Physician App Helps Mobilize Dementia Patient Care
Today, Alzheimer’s is the 5th leading cause of death in California, with 590,000 individuals in our state currently suffering the effects of the disease. Most alarming, is the projected increase over the next 10 years – a dramatic rise of 42% over the next decade to 840,000 Californians affected by 2025.
Because there is no known cause, cure or prevention for Alzheimer’s disease, the single most effective intervention is early and accurate diagnosis to ensure the benefits of care coordination and chronic disease management are put in place. As many as half of people with Alzheimer’s or another dementia have not been diagnosed. Only 45% of people with the disease or their caregivers are told of their diagnosis.
The Alzheimer’s Disease Pocketcard app helps physicians and other health care professionals detect, diagnose and manage Alzheimer’s disease at the point of care. The app features clinically relevant information and interactive tools to help clinicians efficiently assess patients and interview their caregivers.
Features include the latest information on pharmacotherapy guidelines and non-pharmacologic strategies, interactive tools to assess cognition and function, current diagnostic criteria, and education/support packets from the Alzheimer’s Association that can be e-mailed directly to patients and caregivers.
Visit alz.org/hcps to find additional physician tools, videos and resources.
