Dementia Capable NC
The most recent data available from the Alzheimer's Association estimates that, in 2020, about 210,000 North Carolinians were living with Alzheimer’s Disease.1 However, some studies have shown that as few as half of the individuals meeting the criteria for dementia are diagnosed.2 As such, the number of North Carolinians living with dementia may be higher. The Alzheimer’s Association also estimates that, in 2022, 369,000 North Carolinians were providing unpaid care to their loved ones with dementia, and many of them were also managing their own chronic health conditions or struggling with depression.3
While deaths from some conditions have remained steady or have increased little during the past two decades, deaths from Alzheimer’s Disease have increased significantly. From 1999 to 2019, the number of Alzheimer’s deaths in the state increased 145% while deaths from heart disease increased only 5% during that same period.
Another challenge for our state is related to the number of doctors available to treat people with dementia. The number of people in NC living with dementia is expected to continue to rise and there will likely be a shortage of available health care workers to care for them. The number of doctors specializing in the care of older adults will need to increase 239% by 2050 in order to meet the anticipated demand.3
Sources:
1 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YBOgqr-f0a0t6_5REBU-vRPVbFLkYsaZ/edit#gid=587597722
2 Amjad, H., Roth, D. L., Sheehan, O. C., Lyketsos, C. G., Wolff, J. L., & Samus, Q. M. (2018). Underdiagnosis of Dementia: an Observational Study of Patterns in Diagnosis and Awareness in US Older Adults. Journal of general internal medicine, 33(7), 1131–1138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-018-4377-y
3 North Carolina 2023 Alzheimer's Statistics. https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/northcarolina-alzheimers-facts-figures-2023.pdf
Resource:
NC Dementia and Brain Health Outreach and Awareness Toolkit
In 2014 the NC General Assembly mandated a statewide Task Force on Alzheimer’s disease, led by the NC Institute of Medicine (NCIOM). The Task Force formed the Coalition for a Dementia-Capable NC who developed the Dementia-Capable NC Strategic Plan for Addressing Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRDs). The strategic plan recommendations aim to improve statewide awareness and education about ADRDs, support people with dementia and their families, improve and enhance services that support greater quality of life, reach underserved populations, and improve data collection and research around treatment and prevention of ADRDs. The Coalition for a Dementia-Capable NC was established in 2016 and meets quarterly to oversee progress and implementation of recommendations contained in the state strategic plan.
Introduction to Dementia Capable NC Video
Test Your Knowledge- Quiz on Dementia Capable Video Training
2016 Dementia-Capable NC: A Strategic Plan for Addressing Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
The NC Association of Area Agencies on Aging (nc4a) in partnership with the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services is helping to train Dementia Friends Champions across the state to provide free training that changes the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. Dementia Friends is an information session, not a training. It differs from Dementia Friendly Communities & Hospitals because it is not intended to be used as a complete dementia friendly business, dementia friendly hospital, or direct care worker training for individuals who provide care to people with dementia.
Learn more about Dementia Friends at the Dementia Friends USA website below. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging at the website below if you would like more information about training opportunities to become a Dementia Friend.
Website (Dementia Friends): https://dementiafriendsusa.org/
Website (NC Area Agencies on Aging): https://www.nc4a.org/membership
Communities across North Carolina are embracing the Dementia Friendly movement. According to Dementia Friendly America (DFA), a Dementia Friendly Community is a village, town, city, or county taking action to ensure people with dementia can live independently for as long as possible. It is a community where people with dementia and their caregivers can engage in a variety of activities and be supported in these activities. https://www.dfamerica.org/
The NC Dementia Friendly Communities & Hospitals Network (formerly known as the Collaborative), works to empower people with dementia and their care partners to live with greater inclusion & wellbeing in their communities.
Each quarter, the NC Dementia Friendly Network meets to share best practices, generate new ideas and collaborate with similar programs across the state and country. Contact us to learn more!
For more information on dementia friendly communities and definitions please reference the NC Dementia Friendly Communities Standards and Information document here.
AARP Family Caregiver Resources for NC: AARP developed this family caregiver guide with you, the caregiver, in mind as a starting point to help you find the services and supports you might need throughout your journey.
Alzheimer's Association: The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
Dementia Alliance: Dementia Alliance of North Carolina seeks to improve the lives of North Carolinians impacted by dementia as well as empower their caregivers through support, education and research. As a result, we are able to provide a high degree of personal support throughout the entire journey with dementia.
Duke Dementia Family Support Program: The Duke Dementia Family Support Program provides education, support and engagement to people living with dementia and their family care partners. Services are offered free of charge, and no affiliation with Duke Health is required for participation.
Family Caregiver Support: The National Family Caregiver Support Program offers a range of services to support family caregivers.
Healthy Aging NC (Powerful Tools for Caregivers): Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an educational program designed to help family caregivers take care of themselves while caring for someone else.
Legal Resources for Power of Attorney: If your loved one is experiencing symptoms of dementia or has been diagnosed with dementia, you may be asking when should you obtain powers of attorney? This document can help guide you.
Lifespan Respite Care Program: The Lifespan Respite Care Program focuses on enhancing respite services for unpaid caregivers and growing a lifespan respite care system in North Carolina.
NC Dementia and Brain Health Outreach and Awareness Toolkit: This toolkit aims to increase awareness about the importance of risk reduction, prevention, early diagnosis, and management of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), and the role of caregiving for persons with dementia. It is developed for local public health agencies, community-based organizations, dementia care programs, dementia-capable services within home and community-based service systems, community health workers, insurance companies, ADRD advocates and other professionals.
North Carolina Caregiver Portal: This NC caregiver portal (powered by Trualta) provides educational content and an intuitive learning environment to healthcare providers, insurers, and employers in the United States and Canada that understand the importance of engaging and educating family members in the informal care of aging loved ones.
NC Registry for Brain Health: The Registry has two purposes. The first is to get the community involved in brain health research by connecting people with research opportunities across North Carolina. The second purpose is to share information to help people better understand brain health, learn about ways to keep their brains healthy, and find useful resources to assist people who are living with dementia and their caregivers.
Options Counseling: Options Counseling provides guidance to individuals as they make informed choices about long-term services and supports.
Project CARE (Caregiver Support): Project CARE is a coordinated delivery system that responds to the needs, values and preferences of individuals who directly care for a family member or friend with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia (ADRD).
For more information on any of these dementia initiatives please contact Heather Carter, Dementia Services Coordinator, at heather.carter@dhhs.nc.gov or by calling 919-855-3416.