Alzheimer's: Diagnosis, Management, and Support for Daily Life

Course overview

According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 5 million Americans live with Alzheimer's disease; by 2050, up to 14 million will have the disease (Alzheimer's Association, n.d.-a). Earlier recognition and formal support as well as better general health of our older population means that more Americans are living longer with AD and increasing numbers of families and communities are involved in the lives of people with the disease. The financial strain on families and our societal structures, mainly healthcare and government, is part of living with AD. Early diagnosis has been shown to reduce overall costs due to earlier intervention, better assessment and planning of care, and the extension of time living in the community rather than in more expensive care settings (Barnett et al., 2014). This CE module provides an overview of how individual healthcare providers and the healthcare team can support the people living with AD.