Among the top ten leading causes of death, there is only one that has no cure; cannot be slowed; and for which there is no known way to prevent it. That disease is Alzheimer’s (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017). One in every ten people, 65 years of age or older, has Alzheimer’s or a related dementia (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017). These numbers are expected to continue to rise by more than 35% from 2017-2025 (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017). According to the CDC, aging is the best-known risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Yet, nearly 90% of those with perceived, or subjective, cognitive decline have at least one other chronic condition, putting them at increased risk for Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. These shared risk and protective factors are critical to understanding and creating a robust public health response to dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Georgia has established infrastructure, clear priorities, and an active network of partners guided by a regularly updated state plan, that is ready to implement CDC Road Map Actions. Georgia will emphasize a public health approach, addressing systems, environments, and policies, The vision of all partners is for every Georgian – professional, patient, and care partner alike- to B-SEEN, which this project will accomplish by Building our largest dementia infrastructure using Systemic Education, Evidence, and Networks. The project activities outlined in this application will work toward the long-term goal of increasing annual wellness visits through a vast network of public education, evidence-based programs, and workforce development, as guided by a data driven and comprehensive approach.
The B-SEEN project addresses the acute need for increased and improved messaging to high risk populations, including African Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), their communities, and their caregivers across Georgia, areas of high prevalence with an emphasis on rural communities. The B-SEEN project aims to strengthen Georgia’s public health systems approach to ADRD by building upon existing infrastructure and the GARD State Plan. Specifically, Georgia will increase the number of stakeholders engaging in statewide dementia collaboration and action, emphasizing Public Health workers (e.g., Trauma system, EMS, Health districts, and Rural Extension offices). The project teams will engage in systemic population-based efforts to increase impact in the areas of dementia risk reduction, early diagnosis of ADRD, prevention and management of comorbidities and avoidable hospitalizations, and caregiving for persons with dementia. GA B-SEEN will achieve these outcomes through the implementation of evidence-based strategies and activities that address dementia and support the promotion of brain health among populations with a high burden of ADRD. Specifically, African Americans, Hispanics, and individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and those living in high burden rural areas.
Short-term and intermediate outcomes to be achieved during the funding period will align and marshal existing energy, goals, and resources toward the proposed impact areas and long-term outcomes aligned with Healthy People 2030 objectives including increased proportion of adults aged 65 years or older with diagnosed ADRD, or their caregiver, who are aware of the diagnosis, increased proportion of older adults who talk to their health care provider about changes in their memory, reduced proportion of preventable hospitalizations in adults aged 65 or older diagnosed with ADRD, and increased proportion of older adults who use the Welcome to Medicare benefit.
