Health and long-term care for people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias: policy research issues

Abstract

Policy research into the service needs of persons with dementia had its origin looking at challenges confronting caregivers--extended hours of instrumental task assistance, social isolation, fatigue, depression--and how public policy might support informal care-giving while saving public expenditures from nursing home care. This paper, drawing on the experience of the Medicare Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration and other work, provides suggestions for extending care and financing considerations to include health care use and the medical management of chronic health conditions. Basic research is needed to document current use and risk factors, as is experimentation with clinical and other interventions designed to achieve desired quality of care and cost outcomes. This section of the paper will be of direct interest to both US and international readers. The second half of the paper reviews the US state role in regulating and financing nursing homes, home and community-based care, and residential care. All these sectors have high rates of staff turnover, staff shortages, and concerns with quality of care. The international community and US states provide naturally occurring opportunities for delivery system experimentation and innovation. Research taking advantage of these opportunities could greatly inform public policy.