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P3‐501: WISCONSIN'S DEMENTIA CARE SPECIALIST PROGRAM: PILOT TO PROGRAM AND BEYOND
Author(s) -
Felten Kristen,
Marschall Katelyn
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.06.1866
Subject(s) - dementia , medicine , agency (philosophy) , nursing , health care , resource (disambiguation) , population , gerontology , disease , political science , computer network , philosophy , environmental health , epistemology , pathology , computer science , law
Background: In Wisconsin, Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) offer the general public a single source for information and assistance on issues affecting older people and people with disabilities, regardless of their income. These resource centers are welcoming and convenient places for people with dementia and their caregivers to get information, advice, and access to a wide variety of services. The Dementia Care Specialist program enhances the capacity of ADRCs to work with individuals and families living with dementia. From 2014-2017, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) funded sixteen Dementia Care Specialist positions, covering 26 counties. Beginning in 2015, Dementia Care Specialist positions were funded in three Wisconsin tribes to serve the Native American population. Additionally, the program will be expanded in 2018 to include an additional five Dementia Care Specialist positions. Everyone’s experience with dementia is unique, and connecting people with dementia to a communitybased dementia specialist can ensure that supports and services are tailored to the needs of each individual. Dementia Care Specialists train ADRC and tribal agency staff to perform memory screens for individuals to determine a need for clinical follow-up with a primary physician or other health care professional. They also provide information and assistance to people with dementia and their caregivers and connect them with support and options for home help, long-term care, and other needs. Dementia Care Specialists have been effective catalysts in promoting dementia-friendly communities. They work with businesses, employers, local organizations, and the community to increase awareness of the unique needs of individuals with dementia and their caregivers. Dementia Care Specialists provide community education; mobilize community resources; and consult with law enforcement, adult protective services (APS), crisis response teams, medical providers, and others who need information regarding dementia-related issues. Dementia Care Specialists facilitate and lead efforts to make local communities safe and welcoming for people with dementia. In 2016, Dementia Care Specialists attended 1,870 community outreach events, reaching nearly 41,000 people. In this session we will discuss the history of the DCS program, the impact that the program has made inWisconsin, and the future development of the program.