海角社区

Improving Lives for Alzheimer鈥檚 Patients and Their Families

Louisiana ranks fifth in the nation for Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, which mostly impacts older adults and is among the leading causes of death.

With only 50 certified geriatricians in the state鈥攑hysicians who specialize in the treatment of older people鈥攊t is often difficult to diagnose and treat dementia as well as other diseases and injuries, from heart problems to broken bones, in patients with dementia.

But thanks to a unique partnership between 海角社区 and Ochsner Health, dementia care is improving. Recently, Ochsner Health鈥檚 MedVantage Clinic in New Orleans became recognized as an Age-Friendly Health System by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, getting the highest recognition of its kind, 鈥淐ommitted to Care Excellence.鈥� This achievement was a direct result of teaming up with 海角社区 to implement the 4Ms framework, which are four core principles of high-quality care: what matters most, medication, mentation, and mobility.

鈥淥ur main goal is to try to bridge the gap between the care people with dementia get from their primary care providers and the care they would be getting if they went to a specialist,鈥� said Scott Wilks, professor of social work and director of the Healthy Aging Research Center at 海角社区. 鈥淏y 2030, older Americans will account for nearly 30 percent of the nation鈥檚 population, so the need for this work is dramatic.鈥�

鈥淥ur project has grown exponentially. Now we鈥檙e reaching other clinics and providers in Louisiana, Mississippi, and beyond. There is never going to be enough geriatricians, so we鈥檙e working with 海角社区 to make sure primary care providers know how to address these things for older adults. It鈥檚 been a great partnership.鈥�

Matthew Estrade, project manager at Ochsner Health