Ethical Decisions in Designing Patient-Centered Health Interventions

Final Care Coordination Plan for Alzheimers disease (AD)

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It accounts for up to 67% of all dementia cases presenting in later adulthood. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., responsible for over 120,000 deaths in 2019. Due to its high care needs and complexities in its presentation, managing the disease fetches high costs. Comprehensive AD care utilizing coordinative approaches has been lauded for its effectiveness in the comprehensive management of AD and other forms of dementia. This paper outlines patient-centered health interventions used in coordinating care for AD patients, ethical decisions in designing these approaches, relevant policies in coordinating AD care, and the priorities in care coordination. 

Patient-Centered Health Interventions and Timelines for AD

Patient-centered approaches in dementia care are warranted in the comprehensive management of AD. This approach promotes purposeful living for patients with Alzheimer’s disease, establishes relationship-based services to promote a sense of self among these patients, and preserves their dignity. Several issues are, however, apparent in the comprehensive management of AD and other forms of dementia. Aggressive pharmacotherapy for symptomatic management and to slow the progression of the disease, progressive support of these patients in their activities of daily living to enhance their quality of life, and early detection and diagnosis are some of the issues in the comprehensive management of this disease.

Pharmacotherapy in AD

Aggressive pharmacotherapy is often warranted in AD to lessen the severity of symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Due to the progressive and chronic nature of the disease, specific issues in pharmacotherapy, such as non-adherence to medications, are sometimes present. This has mainly been attributable to the disease process as well as to poor access to these medications (Marulappa et al., 2022). Non-adherence to pharmacotherapy has been implicated in serious health implications, with hospitalizations and disease exacerbations likely to occur. This highlights the need to adhere to pharmacotherapy.

Interventions to Optimize Pharmacotherapy

Several interventions can be utilized to optimize medication use among patients with dementia. Tailoring medication regimens to the individual patient habits, prescribing as few medications as effectively possible, and coordinating patients dosing schedules with their other caregivers may enhance their medication adherence, thereby optimizing pharmacotherapy on these patients. Frequent monitoring and contact with patients with these conditions may also enhance their drug-taking behaviors. This enables caregivers to take a more active role in ensuring that these patients take their medications are recommended.

Community Resources

Several community resources are available to help patients with AD and other forms of dementia in optimizing their treatment processes. The eldercare locator is a valuable resource that provides information on other community resources that provide Alzheimer’s support, such as nursing homes. Home healthcare care services can help patients optimize their treatment plans. This organization consists of skilled caregivers who can coordinate care services for Alzheimer’s under home-based care and assist in medication taking. Geriatric care managers are also valuable in this respect.

Progressive Support in Activities of Daily Living (ADL)

AD and other forms of dementia are usually accompanied by a growing need for support in ADLs, such as bathing and toileting. The patients’ immediate caregivers bear the burden of addressing these needs. However, as cognitive and functional impairment, characteristic of dementia, increases, caregivers are often confronted with increasing care practices to meet these patients’ needs. This, in most cases, is overwhelming to them (Lindeza et al., 2020). Supporting these patients in their ADLs is, however, important as it not only dignifies them but also ensures that they lead a quality life

Interventions

Patients’ referral to instructions of care such as nursing homes remains an effective intervention for ensuring they get the necessary support in their ADLs. This is particularly beneficial where there is a perceived lack of commitment to caring and offering support from other caregivers in home-based settings. Enhancing caregivers’ knowledge of best practices in supporting Alzheimer’s in their ADLs is also necessary. This will enable them to maintain accountability in supporting these patients in their AD