IU Researchers Receive Grant to Deploy Collaborative Dementia Care Model Across Indiana

Indiana University (IU) School of Medicine and its partners will funnel a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living into a 36-month program to enhance, fortify, and expand support for people with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) and their caregivers in 34 Indiana counties, reports EurekAlert . The Alzheimer's Disease Programs Initiative (ADPI) aims to build on current home and community-based social services to maximize the ability of people with ADRD to live independently. IU School of Medicine Professor Steven R. Counsell and grant partners will implement the collaborative dementia care model and training interventions created by the IU Center for Aging Research. ADRD sufferers and caregivers will be coached by community health workers serving as dementia care coordinator assistants, and in-home personal care workers will be specially trained in dementia care. Counsell said the ADPI will serve 1,000 persons who qualify for nursing home care, yet live in the community assisted by Medicaid in-home services and supports. People with ADRD who live alone or are aging with intellectual and developmental disabilities will receive support, while 500 personal care workers will get dementia care training under the program. "The opportunity to work with community and state partners to expand these innovative services to reach more vulnerable Hoosiers and their families is a dream come true," said Counsell.