Assessing the Problem: Leadership, Collaboration, Communication, Change Management, and Policy Considerations

Alzheimer’s disease is a critical public health issue that requires skilled leadership, collaboration across sectors, clear communication, and thoughtful change management and policy considerations. Assessing this problem through these lenses is crucial to developing comprehensive solutions that reduce risk, improve timely diagnosis, expand care access, support caregivers, advance research, and reduce stigma. Effective leaders must bring together healthcare, research, government, community, and advocacy groups to tackle this complex disease. Clear communication strategies are needed to convey the latest evidence, reduce misconceptions, and guide patients and families. Implementing change and new policies requires understanding organizational dynamics and how to motivate stakeholders. A thorough assessment of Alzheimer’s through these perspectives will inform strategies to significantly improve prevention, care, research, and support for those impacted (Macklin, 2021).

Definition of Patient Health Problem

Clay is a 72-year-old male diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease two years ago. He has a family history of dementia, as his mother also had Alzheimer’s. Clay is married and has two grown children who are supportive but struggling to cope with their father’s cognitive decline. He worked as an accountant prior to retiring last year after his diagnosis. Clay’s condition has progressed rapidly, increasing memory loss, confusion, and agitation. He requires constant supervision for safety. His wife provides most of his caregiving, which has affected her health and their family. Clay has Medicare coverage, but his long-term care needs are not adequately covered, placing financial strain on the family. As his nurse, I have evaluated (during a two-hour practicum session) that Clay requires resources for in-home assistance, adult day programs, and, eventually, residential care. Connecting his family to social services, planning for future care needs, providing education, and coordinating optimal medical management are priorities in my role as Clay’s nurse.

Relevance of Problem

Alzheimer’s disease represents an escalating public health crisis, as over 6 million Americans are currently afflicted with this progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Epidemiological data indicates that prevalence will nearly double by 2050, with estimates projecting close to 13 million individuals with Alzheimer’s (Alzheimer’s Association, 2023). It constitutes the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. It disproportionately impacts seniors, with research showing that 1 in 3 adults over 65 will die with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. The aggregate costs of care pose economic concerns as well, with current expenditures reaching $345 billion annually and projected to rise to nearly $1 trillion by 2050 if trends continue (Alzheimer’s Association, 2023). Given the mounting social, economic, and public health burdens associated with Alzheimer’s, evidence-based policies and interventions must be prioritized that promote prevention, early detection, advanced care planning, family support structures, and clinical best practices. A multi-layered, collaborative approach across public and private stakeholders is imperative to mitigate the epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease (Alzheimer’s Association, 2023).

Analysis of Evidence

Current peer-reviewed literature underscores the value of a multifaceted care approach for patients with Alzheimer’s disease that integrates both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines emphasize the importance of prescribing acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or memantine for cognitive and functional decline while closely monitoring potential adverse effects (Chin et al., 2022). However, medication therapy alone is insufficient; integrating psychosocial support, education, caregiver training, home safety assessments, routine monitoring, and care coordination significantly improves the quality of life outcomes. For Clay specifically, referrals to counseling services could help his family better cope with the stresses of caregiving and grief over his deterioration (Cheng, 2021). Enrolling Clay in community-based social engagement programs tailored to dementia patients promotes social connection and reduces isolation. Given Clay’s increasing disorientation, collaborating with a physical therapist to optimize fall prevention is also indicated. Evidence strongly confirms that individualizing collaborative care plans with input from the patien