A new dementia care navigation service platform will help get telehealth to more older adults living with dementia, and their caregivers, including in rural and underserved areas.
The new platform comes courtesy of a collaboration between Rippl, an online platform that specializes in dementia and behavior health for older adults, and the Alzheimer’s Association. The companies announced the partnership Friday.
In addition to expanding the reach of much-needed dementia care, the service will allow older adults new access to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 helpline and online educational programming resources.
The helpline and online tools could be very important for caregivers who need to communicate with families about dementia care needs.
A majority of care workers who work with people living with dementia believe that the healthcare system isn’t helping older adults and their families navigate options, and two-thirds said that they often have difficulty finding the right resources or support to fulfill their needs, according to a recent Alzheimer’s Association report.
The partnership between the Alzheimer’s Association and Rippl also will be part of an eight-year study by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to determine ideal care options, and possible payment structures, for older adults living with dementia. CMS’s model for this was created with input from the Alzheimer’s Association, the organization noted.
“Our new dementia care navigation service will fill existing gaps in the care, services and support facing dementia caregivers and be a trusted partner with clinicians, hospitals and health systems,” Joanne Pike, PhD, Alzheimer’s Association president and CEO, said in a statement. “The dementia care management model we long championed with CMS and in Congress is a bold first step toward revolutionizing dementia care in this country.”
