ANNUAL CONFERENCE RECAP | 2018
Alzheimer ’ s Association Unveils new Dementia Care Practice Recommendations
By Alzheimer ’ s Association , New York State Coalition
Earlier this year , the Alzheimer ’ s Association released new dementia care practice recommendations aimed at helping nursing homes , assisted-living facilities and other long term care and community care providers deliver optimal quality , person-centered care for those living with Alzheimer ’ s and other dementias .
The Alzheimer ’ s Association 2018 Dementia Care Practice Recommendations outline 56 recommendations across 10 content areas , grounded in the fundamentals of person-centered care . They were developed by 27 dementia care experts convened by the Alzheimer ’ s Association and are based on a comprehensive review of current evidence , best practice and expert opinion . The recommendations seek to better define quality care across all care settings and throughout the disease course . They are intended for professional care providers who work with individuals living with dementia and their families in long term and community-based care settings .
In addition to updating and enhancing previous recommendations in areas familiar to the dementia care community , the recommendations break important new ground . Most notably , the recommendations offer guidance to community-based and residential care providers on detection and diagnosis and ongoing medical management — topic areas typically reserved for clinicians . Recommendations in these two areas are written specifically for non-physician care providers and address what these providers can do to help with these important aspects of holistic , person-centered dementia care . The recommendations cover additional areas , including :
• Fundamentals of person-centered care
• Assessment and care planning
• Information , education and support
• Ongoing care for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
• Support of activities in daily living
• Staffing
• Supportive and therapeutic environments
• Transitions and coordination of services
( continued )
39 Adviser a publication of LeadingAge New York | Summer 2018