Student Champions: Connecting Dementia Patients and Caregivers to Community Resources

Training the student health workforce to support dementia patients and families in Wisconsin

Full Project Name:Student Champions: Connecting Dementia Patients and Caregivers to Essential Community ResourcesPrimary Community Organization:Marquette UniversityPrimary Academic Partner:Kathryn Denson, MD, MedicineAward Amount:$503,459

Award Date

July2021

Project Duration:36 months

Project Summary:

Dementia is a neurocognitive disorder that leads to loss of independence, diminished quality of life, premature death, and caregiver burden. In Wisconsin, more than 120,000 residents were afflicted with dementia in 2020, and this number is expected to increase another 8.3% by 2025.

Approximately 83% of all care provided to older adults is provided by unlicensed, lay caregivers. In Wisconsin, 196,000 caregivers provided more than 204,000 hours of care to persons with dementia in 2020. Studies show that dementia caregivers are more likely to experience substantial emotional, financial, and health complications than non-caregivers due to ongoing demands of care.

Through this award, project partners aim to establish a workforce solution to support dementia patients and caregivers, quickly connecting them to vital resources and support services.

Community partners: Advocate Aurora Health, Wisconsin Alzheimer's Association

Outcomes & Lessons Learned:

Developed a new educational module about the Alzheimer's Association Direct Connect referral program focused on caregiver burden, dementia detection, referrals to dementia diagnostic clinics, and referrals to the Alzheimer's Association via its Direct Connect program
Developed three new geriatric fast facts containing brief, actionable, online geriatric content to reinforce the educational curriculum, which were peer reviewed and subsequently published online
Piloted curriculum with almost 600 learners in medicine, nursing, and pharmacy, and preliminary results show that the program has been positively received and feedback was used to make enhancements to the curriculum
Sustained project efforts through integration of the Direct Connect rapid referral program into Aurora Health Care’s electronic health record system and ongoing incorporation in EPIC at Froedtert Health
Leveraged project efforts to obtain almost $6 million in additional funding