|
|
Softening the Sunset Journey Project
| Topics |
Aging
|
| States served |
Michigan
|
| Description |
Alzheimer disease is the eighth leading cause of mortality among elderly persons in the United States, accounting for more than 100,000 deaths annually. The cost of irreversible dementia is presently estimated at $100 billion per year, making the illness our Nation's third most costly medical condition behind heart disease and cancer. At present, most dementia disorders are costly, progressive, and without a cure. The effects are devastating to the caregivers and family as well as the affected individual. It is projected that by 2050, more than 13 million Americans will have Alzheimer disease.
The 6 counties in Michigan's Upper Peninsula targeted for this project are Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Keweenaw, Marquette, and Ontonagon counties. This geographical area has an Alzheimer disease rate nearly double that of the state of Michigan. It is conservatively estimated that 5,593 residents (4 percent of the population) suffer from a dementia disorder. Some dementia disorders can be treated; others are irreversible but can benefit from coordinated medical and social management. Unfortunately, many people with memory disorders remain undiagnosed and under-managed. The project recognizes five issues that result in less than optimal care management for people suffering from memory loss: delayed entry into medical services, variation in care coordination and clinical practice, family member difficulty in recognition and intervention (particularly those geographically distant), caregiver risk for health and psycho/social problems, and the compliance variation in care provided within the home setting. |
| Services offered |
The applicant, Marquette General Health System, has joined with its network partners, Grand View Health System, Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center, and the Portage Health System to develop Softening the Sunset Journey, a community-based collaborative which seeks to maximize local coordinated care resources toward the improvement of community awareness, early identification, access to care, and caregiver screening for older adult memory loss. Targeted populations include older adults experiencing memory loss and their family members and caregivers. The majority of people experiencing memory loss will be age 65 and older (95 percent), with the remainder of the target population age 18 to 64 (5 percent). |
| Source |
Rural Health Outreach Grantee Directory, 2006
|
| Contact person |
Laurie Neldberg-Weesen
Marquette General Health System
420 West Magnetic Street
Marquette, Michigan 49855
Phone: (906) 225-3251
Fax: (906) 225-3180
Email: lweesen@mgh.org |
| Date added |
January 18, 2007 |
Summaries of success stories are provided by RAC for your convenience. Please contact the success story contact person directly for the most complete and current information.
|
