Prioritizing Brain Health: Building Infrastructure and Community Partnerships to Improve Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Care
Abstract
Background: Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) is a leading cause of death and impacts approximately 5.8 million adults costing $305 billion annually. Identifying and addressing population disparities and differences in social determinants of health is necessary to develop a comprehensive public health approach. Thus, the aim of this rural community-based project was to assess the readiness of the community to provide resources and programs to individuals and their families living with ADRD, develop capacity by strengthening community partnerships, and provide educational resources about brain health.
Methods: A three-staged approach was chosen to assess readiness, develop capacity, and provide educational resources for ADRD in a rural community. First, a Community Health Assessment (CHA) was conducted to determine the current resources, programs, and initiatives of community partners within a rural community. Second, a Community Health Improvement Matrix (CHIM) was developed with community partners to plan activities and interventions to support brain health within the local community. Third, educational materials and messages were available to the local community.
Results: The CHA revealed approximately 15 community partners did focus on older adults, brain health, and ADRD. The community partners had little to no resources, programs, and initiatives initially. Due to the lack of capacity for ADRD, the activities and interventions developed, using the CHIM, focused on building services, trainings, and resources with community partners and the local department of public health. Educational messages were rolled out to the local community via print and digital media.
Conclusion: The development of community partnerships and a rural network for brain health and ADRD with the local community is feasible and critical addressing brain health. Strengthening the capacity of community partnerships with services, trainings, and resources must remain a priority of local public health. Engaging local community leaders and members in promoting brain health will require additional efforts.
Keywords: community partnerships, brain health, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, community health assessment, rural health, education
Keywords
community partnerships, brain health, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, community health assessment, rural health, education
Prioritizing Brain Health: Building Infrastructure and Community Partnerships to Improve Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Care
Background: Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) is a leading cause of death and impacts approximately 5.8 million adults costing $305 billion annually. Identifying and addressing population disparities and differences in social determinants of health is necessary to develop a comprehensive public health approach. Thus, the aim of this rural community-based project was to assess the readiness of the community to provide resources and programs to individuals and their families living with ADRD, develop capacity by strengthening community partnerships, and provide educational resources about brain health.
Methods: A three-staged approach was chosen to assess readiness, develop capacity, and provide educational resources for ADRD in a rural community. First, a Community Health Assessment (CHA) was conducted to determine the current resources, programs, and initiatives of community partners within a rural community. Second, a Community Health Improvement Matrix (CHIM) was developed with community partners to plan activities and interventions to support brain health within the local community. Third, educational materials and messages were available to the local community.
Results: The CHA revealed approximately 15 community partners did focus on older adults, brain health, and ADRD. The community partners had little to no resources, programs, and initiatives initially. Due to the lack of capacity for ADRD, the activities and interventions developed, using the CHIM, focused on building services, trainings, and resources with community partners and the local department of public health. Educational messages were rolled out to the local community via print and digital media.
Conclusion: The development of community partnerships and a rural network for brain health and ADRD with the local community is feasible and critical addressing brain health. Strengthening the capacity of community partnerships with services, trainings, and resources must remain a priority of local public health. Engaging local community leaders and members in promoting brain health will require additional efforts.
Keywords: community partnerships, brain health, Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, community health assessment, rural health, education
