Hospital News, 10-1-2011 - Western Pennsylvania Healthcare News

Issue No. 10 wphospitalnews.com| 21Healthcare Professionals Must Meetthe Growing Crisis of Alzheimer’sDisease Head OnBy Eric J. HallAs the nation faces an Alzheimer’s disease epidemicin the coming years, healthcare professionals must beprepared to meet the unique and changing needs of thispopulation. To do so requires both specialized trainingin dementia to adequately care for individuals with thebrain disorder, and a special empathy for family memberswho face enormous physical, emotional and practicalramifications as a result of caregiving.Now is the time: Currently, as many as 5.1 millionAmer dxsis expected to explode as the nation’s populationages. Advanced age is the biggest risk factor, withthe prevalence doubling every five years after 65. Not to be overlooked, abouta half million Americans under age 65—as young as in their 30’s—have youngonsetAlzheimer’s disease. Many people with dementia have co-existing conditions,so healthcare professionals across the spectrum play a big role indiagnosis and ongoing care.The gap in healthcare professionals to care for the older population, let alonethe older population with dementia, has become glaring. Shortages are widespread,from direct care workers to specialists, from residential care settings toacute care hospitals. As such, training in geriatrics and dementia might openthe door to job and advancement opportunities.As the authors of an April 2008 report issued by the Institute of Medicine ofthe National Academies conclude: “The nation faces an impending health carecrisis as the number of older patients with more complex health needs increasinglyoutpaces the number of health care providers with the knowledge andskills to adequately care for them.” The report’s recommendations included acall for initiatives designed to “enhance the geriatric competence of the entire[healthcare] workforce.”There is no doubt that Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias add multiplelayers of complexity—all of which require healthcare professionals to becomeknowledgeable about cognitive and behavioral symptoms, diseasemanagement, pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, andcommunication techniques in order to enhance professional-patient interactions.For example, as this degenerative disorder progresses, individuals with dementiatypically don’t respond to instructions, have difficulty managing medications,Community Care Inc.Opens New Office inAllegheny CountyCommunity Care Inc., a local company who specializes in homehealth care, is opening a new office in Allegheny County. The office willextend service to more customers with a localized, personal approach inthe Pittsburgh area.Community Care Inc. celebrates their 25th year of business in 2011.Among several services, Community Care Inc. excels in home healthcare, both skilled and unskilled, for children, adults and veterans. Theyalso serve as a facility staffing organization, helping local hospitals, longterm care facilities and medical institutions that are in need of skillednurses. Community Care Inc. requires all candidates to exceed certainrequirements before becoming a part of their staff.Home health facilities are able to service homes effectively within aone-hour radius from their office. Opening a new office on Fifth Avenuein Pittsburgh allows for a greater outreach with so many services to morepatients. Currently, Community Care Inc. has two convenient offices locatedin Greensburg and Washington, PA.Wasil Waleski, Administrator, is looking to improve the growth ofCommunity Care Inc. in Allegheny, Beaver and Butler County. “This isour 25th year and a great way to celebrate is to open this new office andoffer expert home care into new neighborhoods,” says Waleski of thePittsburgh office.While the company grows, its intimate approach to customers and patientshas remained unchanged. Community Care Inc. has been familyowned and operated since its inception.For more information, visit www.communitycarenursing.com.ElderCarelose the ability to speak,exhibit unpredictable behaviors,and becomelost. Further, hospitalstays for people with dementiaoften provoke anxiety, confusion and the onset of delirium.Such understanding can extend well beyond proper diagnosis and ongoingclinical interactions into the home environment, assisting family members inimproving quality of life for their loved ones and themselves. People with thedisease and family members, usually at a loss after hearing a diagnosis ofAlzheimer’s disease, need clinicians, physician extenders and other healthcareprofessionals to fill them in on treatment and care options—and what to expectdown the road. Survey after survey finds that caregivers depend on healthcareprofessionals for information and resources to get them through the variousstages of Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals live with the disease an average eightyears from diagnosis, so needs are continually changing and reliance on othersprogresses dramatically.Continuing education programs, available online, on-site and at conferences,can assist professionals and paraprofessionals in meeting this growing need fortraining. Dementia Care Professionals of America (DCPA), a division of theAlzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), is one example of a dementia caretraining program for all levels of healthcare professionals. Mastered by nearly6,000 professionals to date, the DVD-based program covers a basic understandingof dementia, management of activities of daily living and behavioral symptoms,and principles of basic care. A more advanced series delves further intothese topics.For example, Glen Cove Hospital in Glen Cove, NY, became the first hospitalsetting to provide DCPA’s specialized training in dementia care for its entiregeriatric unit, consisting of 27 nurses and 18 patient care associates. ElaineEvangelou Soto, RN, nurse manager of the hospital’s geriatric unit, who spearheadedthe hospital’s dementia training, said that many elderly admitted to thehospital with a primary diagnosis of pneumonia, congestive heart failure or aninfection often have a secondary diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.“Caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia requires a certainskill set. It requires that we have a clear understanding of the disease processand its symptoms, so caregivers can communicate effectively and provide theappropriate treatment,” she said.Whether in a clinician’s office, hospital setting or long-term care facility,greater education about dementia and improved dialogue between professionalsand individuals with the disease and their families hold the hope of increasingthe efficacy of intervention, as well as helping families cope with daily challengesof the disease.Eric J. Hall is the founding president and chief executive officer of theAlzheimer’s Foundation of America, a New York-based national nonprofit organizationfocused on providing optimal care to individuals with Alzheimer’s diseaseand related illnesses, and their families. For more information, contact AFA atwww.alzfdn.org or 866-232-8484.HHVIRTUAL CAREAskyour Doctor about Celtic Healthcaree1-800-355-8894www.celtichealthcare.comConnecting Home and Health