The CMS Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office (MMCO) has three new resource guides intended to support providers and health plans serving older adults and caregivers.
An estimated four to five million older adults live with dementia in the United States. Caring for these individuals can present unique challenges to both caregivers and healthcare professionals. These two resource guides, one created for caregivers and the other for healthcare professionals, include training and toolkits, fact sheets, publications, and information resources from various organizations and health plans.
To view these guides, go to https://resourcesforintegratedcare.com/GeriatricCompetentCare/2017_GCC_Resource_Guides/Dementia
Additionally, family caregivers are an integral part of the care planning process and experience for older adults. Over half of family caregivers assist with at least one activity of daily living and are increasingly being tasked with managing difficult medical procedures and equipment, overseeing medications, monitoring side effects, and navigating complex health and long-term services and supports (LTSS) systems. Often, they are providing these services without training, necessary information, or support. This guide includes resources that providers can use to support family caregivers, including information about mental health and respite care, care transitions, and evidence-based dementia care training.
To view this guide, go to https://www.resourcesforintegratedcare.com/GeriatricCompetentCare/2017_GCC_Webinar_Series/Caregivers